Wax without tape?

[evh5150 0]

Hello everyone,

New here, pretty new to ice hockey in general, except for playing roller hockey as a kid. What is the benefit of using tape AND wax as opposed to just wax on my hockey stick blade? I have always taped my stick without using wax, but the past few months I have gone to just putting a thicker layer of wax directly on the blade, no tape. Am I missing something by not using tape? I'm not experienced enough to be able to tell much of a difference, except that I get a little more "feel" for the puck without the tape, but I seem to be the only one around who doesn't tape his stick. My theory is that the thicker layer of wax makes the blade tackier, and allows the puck to almost sink in to a tiny degree, giving more control.

I understand the idea is that the wax seals the tape so it doesn't get wet, and helps add some tackiness to the blade. My question is, why put a layer of wax over a layer of tape, when you can just put that layer of wax directly onto the blade? Seems like once you put the layer of wax on, the tape is just kind of redundant, especially since you have to re-tape/re-wax after every game. With the plain wax, all I have to do is apply a little more after the game and I'm set.

Anyone else put wax directly on their blade? Pros and cons?

[Hooah4 12]

the theory behind using tape IMO is as the tape is wrapped around the blade it produces overlapping layers. These layers work with the "embossed" perimeter of the puck to create an ideal surface area that enables the blade+tape+puck to (in theory) create a friction enhancing spin and more accurate puck delivery.

the wax seals and protects the tape while also repelling snow and ice buildup on the blade of the stick. The wax prevents that water from soaking into the wood blade as well but it is generally a good idea to remove tape between uses to further reduce water absorption.

Maybe.

[Monty22 835]

Composite blades don't absorb water.

[AfftonDad 88]

If you can afford NOT to put tape on your blade, you have a lot more money than I do. I never used to tape all the way through the toe on wood sticks/blades. Now I never leave the toe untaped because the sticks cost so much. It only took one or two ruined composites (without the toes taped) before I figured out that the toes were the first thing to go for me and started taping them. I tape for protection of the blade in addition to the friction.

[Stewie 721]

If you can afford NOT to put tape on your blade, you have a lot more money than I do. I never used to tape all the way through the toe on wood sticks/blades. Now I never leave the toe untaped because the sticks cost so much. It only took one or two ruined composites (without the toes taped) before I figured out that the toes were the first thing to go for me and started taping them. I tape for protection of the blade in addition to the friction.

Agreed. Especially on the crap rink i used to frequently play in. your going to get a lot more chips, nicks, cracks on untaped blades.

[evh5150 0]

Cool, thanks for the replies. I guess I will try tape and wax together to see the difference for myself.

[tareatingrat 4]

I put a strip on the bottom, strip on the top, both strips meet together in the middle of the toe, and I tape the entire thing, then wax the hell out of it, or add that 3M Liquid Tape if I'm so inclined.

I like the tackiness it gives the blade, and I'll usually re-wax every game. Helps with control and stickhandling. Doesn't seem to affect my shot much.

Also, it protects the stick, and keeps the tape lasting longer. I hate taping my stick, but with the wax, I can smooth out any tears on my tape, then just wax it down again. Doubles the time in-between tape jobs, it seems.

[romdj 26]

I've never tried using a wax-only setup, could be interesting to try, but a stick untaped on the ice is a little weird imo

[Chadd 916]

Tape grips the better than wax and makes most composite blades feel less harsh, wax simply helps make the tape more durable for me. Without wax, I would probably have to re-tape a stick in 2 out of every 3 games. With wax, the tape job will last at least 2-3 games.

[strosedefence34 179]

just recently started waxing my sticks a few weeks ago. I really like it. I feel like it keeps the snow down and when it builds up on there it comes off a little easier then it did prior to waxing. I must lay my tape on real thin because for the most part I am still taping almost every game. I also say if the tape on the bottom of the blade is worn through its time to retape.

Tape grips the better than wax and makes most composite blades feel less harsh, wax simply helps make the tape more durable for me. Without wax, I would probably have to re-tape a stick in 2 out of every 3 games. With wax, the tape job will last at least 2-3 games.

[evh5150 0]

Cool, thanks for all the input.

Another question, might sound dumb... But does it matter whether I tape from the heel forward or the toe back? I noticed that the way the tape overlaps feels different one direction as opposed to the other. Does that have any bearing on puck control, tape durability, etc?