RBZ starting to break down

[Ranger-#8 1]

Hey guys used my new RBZ for a total of 3 ice times and showing some significant wear first couple layers of carbon on the lower shaft hosel area are cracked. The area is still decently stiff, but you can feel that a fissure has formed and its not just cosmetic. Would CCM warranty the stick at this point or do I have to wait till it snaps to submit it? Any advice would be great I haven't dealt with OPS warranties since the yellow synergy days so I'm not sure how strict they are now.

[HockeySavants 5]

Were you slashed or just from shooting?

[Ranger-#8 1]

I don't remember any glaring two handers TBH just 2 mid level games and a stick time. I did get pretty shot happy at stick time trying to tune in the new stick, but nothing out of the ordinary.

[superhakan 2]

I would warranty it.

I saw the exact same wear on a demo RBZ, this may be a manufacturers defect.

[jimmy 194]

Looks like a nasty puck mark right on the cracked part. Without closer inspection, damage looks just like the paint layer is cracked. Makes sense because you say it still feels stiff. Get some 60grit sandpaper and take off the paint in that area. Then you'll then be able to see if the carbon is broken. If it is, go for the warranty.

[Ranger-#8 1]

Would sand papering the area cause them to void the warranty since I've tampered with it? Know the lingo in those deals gets touchy sometimes.

[chippa13 1844]

Best, and surest, plan of attack would be to contact CCM's warranty department and ask them these questions.

[IPv6Freely 2097]

Looks like a puck mark. That being said, send it in... if they replace it, cool. If not, you're not out anything but shipping. Let the manufacturer determine if its a manufacturing defect.

[VIPERS96 1]

As a matter of fact, my RBZ broke last night as well. I had only used it for three hours and the blade cracked horizontally. It was not slashed at all or abused, I only used it at sticktime/ open hockey. I am not impressed with the durability of this stick...

[jimmy 194]

Would sand papering the area cause them to void the warranty since I've tampered with it? Know the lingo in those deals gets touchy sometimes.

It might, but you should send them a email w/pic before sanding just to show them what it's like. If it is just paint chipping, you'd be wasting $$ shipping it back. I have a lot of people come in with sticks they want me to repair but they are not broken, it's just the outer layer of paint. This is the only reason why I even brought it up, especially since you said it didn't feel broken.

[chippa13 1844]

As a matter of fact, my RBZ broke last night as well. I had only used it for three hours and the blade cracked horizontally. It was not slashed at all or abused, I only used it at sticktime/ open hockey. I am not impressed with the durability of this stick...

A blade cracking horizontally is usually a sign of taking too much ice/hitting the ice too steep when shooting.

[VIPERS96 1]

A blade cracking horizontally is usually a sign of taking too much ice/hitting the ice too steep when shooting.

I have played hockey for 13 years and never had this problem with a high end blade. I believe that I know how to shoot correctly and I feel that the blade broke down due to lack of structure inside.

[Ghoose69 3]

The first Easton RS I bought last year broke after 3 games. I got another one and it lasted me over three months. Sometimes you can get a defective stick, it happens. That's why there's a 30 day warranty on OPS sticks. Just have it replaced if it's broken. End of story.

[superhakan 2]

The first Easton RS I bought last year broke after 3 games. I got another one and it lasted me over three months. Sometimes you can get a defective stick, it happens. That's why there's a 30 day warranty on OPS sticks. Just have it replaced if it's broken. End of story.

The first batch of RS's and Mako's my work got from Easton were terrible. Roughly 75% of them were brought back on warranty. I really hope the new RS doesnt have the same problem.

[jimmy 194]

The first Easton RS I bought last year broke after 3 games. I got another one and it lasted me over three months. Sometimes you can get a defective stick, it happens. That's why there's a 30 day warranty on OPS sticks. Just have it replaced if it's broken. End of story.

A 90 mph slapshot blocked by a stick is not a defect. Most breakages are not defects, rather just sh_t happens kind of stuff that occurs when playing hockey, blocking shots, caught in zamoni door, steped on, etc, etc. It's a good thing that the manufacturers lookthe other way and usually replace sticks out of goodwill, even if they are broken by misuse by the owners, or just from bad luck, which happens a lot..

[Ranger-#8 1]

Stick fully broke on my first snap shot during warmups last night so its shipped off to CCM...now the waiting game for the replacement hope my old EQ50 can survive till it arrives.