Tapered Shaft Users Please Report...

[DEATHTRON 19]

Hello fellow tapered shaft users,

If you're like me, you like tapered shafts, and have probably tried more of them out recently than I have. The past few years, I have used one95 tapered shafts, which had plenty of "pop" to them, followed by custom Totalone shafts (rounded corners, grip, tapered) that seem (to me) to have a less desirable amount of "pop" or kick.

Now that my TotalOne shafts are thinning out (after 2 years of use) I am thinking trying some other shafts out. The shafts that I have seen on the market are Reebok 11k, CCM CS, Warrior Dolomite and Dynasty, and Easton eq50 and Mako.

Im planning on staying away from Bauer as I did not enjoy my TotalOnes. I inquired with Miken (after seeing everyone talk about how the puck was coming off their sticks) about custom shafts, but they informed me it is not something they will be able to do at this moment. I was a long time user of XN10's and Adrenaline shafts. While I know nothing will have the sampe kick as those shafts, I am hoping to get back to something closer to the one95 or better...if there is anything out there.

So fellow tapered shaft users, what have you guys been using that you have found to kick harder than other tapered shafts?

Thanks,

Zach

[sickwilly 37]

IMO, the 11k has some pop to it, but plays a lot stiffer than it's rated. The grip is super tacky, as well.

If I had to buy a tapered shaft now, I might buy a non-grip Dolo on closeout.

If Miken produced a retail shaft like the Razor Z9, I'd be all over it. I know you aren't thinking of Bauer, but I liked the X60 I tried, too (might also be able to find one cheaply).

[Griff 2]

I haven't used the Warrior's and the Easton's feel like the same old synthesis shafts to me. Out of all the ones you've listed I think the the Reebok's kicked the best, however the CCM CS is far more durable. Obviously I don't know what flex you're looking for but it's been my experience that the CCM/Reebok shafts play stiffer than others I've used. I currently have two 11k 110 flex shafts and love them and found the CCM CS to be just fine. The CS's feel like the old Vector v8.0 (I think) tapered shafts which I had fantastic durability with. Also our USHL team was pretty evenly split between the CS and the 11k last season and the guy's using the CS broke roughly half as many shafts as the guys using the 11k's.

[Jrbears10 3]

I've been a really big fan of the dolomite shaft, and being on closeout right now it's a great deal. I currently have two of them paired with easton blades and I couldn't be happier. I used dolomite shafts for my junior and senior seasons in college as well, and they outperformed my synergy elite shafts. I also had a Bauer x60 shaft and the dolomites performed much better for me personally. The Bauer was definitely a touch lighter though if weight is an important factor.

[All Flash 49]

APX or MAKO tapered shaft.

[DEATHTRON 19]

TO address some questions: I used an x60 shaft, I was not impressed, the kick point just didnt jive for me. I also agree that the easton shafts are probably the same old shafts, which is why I have went with other companies.

I did use a pro return Dolo 80 flex a few years ago briefly as well, but just found it to be "dead" compared to anything else. I do not know how the dynasty stacks up. Anyone using one of those?

[krwwc6 0]

Tapered shaft user here. . . Will use nothing else since i've got about 20 custom tapered blades in my stockpile.

I like my shafts with flex/whip. I'm currently rotating between a 52cal and a dolomite. I recently broke my APX shaft. The 52 cal is easily my favorite shaft. Great pop, great feel with my blades, and it has stayed strong for a while. I'm not a huge fan of my dolo shaft. I'm not sure if it's because of its shape (more squared) or if its the feel and shot. I just don't like it quite as much. I've stayed away from easton. . . the only thing that seams to change is the paintjob on those. I had an se16 shaft a while back and it just wasn't to my liking.

Favorite shaft all time is my TPS R8 (or was it R10?) That thing just shot missiles. . . . unfortunately they don't exist any longer. If I had to buy another shaft tomorrow, It would be a combat 52cal.

[Chadd 916]

TO address some questions: I used an x60 shaft, I was not impressed, the kick point just didnt jive for me. I also agree that the easton shafts are probably the same old shafts, which is why I have went with other companies.

I did use a pro return Dolo 80 flex a few years ago briefly as well, but just found it to be "dead" compared to anything else. I do not know how the dynasty stacks up. Anyone using one of those?

The Dynasty that I used was very Vapor-ish in terms of kick for me.

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

I always end up back with my trusty old Dolomites

[hunt3rsean 44]

The Dynasty that I used was very Vapor-ish in terms of kick for me.

Very happy to hear this. I'm putting together my first ever 2pc stick using the Dynasty shaft. Get to use it on Sunday.

[Slapsht25 0]

i have used Dolos for years and love the low kick and my new Base, Savoy Special shoots rockets as well

[NorthStar 0]

Where are dolomites on closeout ? Hockey monkey ?

[greyskull 21]

i've been using a vapor x pro shaft with a Warrior Spyne blade and loving it, Kicks like a beeyatch

[AIREAYE 248]

Big fan of my Dolo shaft, very consistent and sturdy feel.

[mack 44]

Dolos weren't bad for me when I tried tapered shafts but they still had their torque issues. If I were to look for something that old I'd look for a T-Flex.

[jlp15 13]

does anybody besides base offer custom shafts?

[ktang 34]

Converted X:60, One95, and Reebok 11k OPSes, all with grip. I still have a converted XN10 (stiff) shaft that I use occasionally, and an R2XN10 (whip) shaft that's breaking down.

Hardest slapshots are from the One95. Easiest loading is the R2XN10 (whip) and the Reebok 11k. Hardest slapshot ever is from the X:60, but I don't know how that one happened so it's not repeatable for me.

[Chadd 916]

does anybody besides base offer custom shafts?

There wasn't anything "custom" about the shafts, other than the stickers they put on and you could do that to any stick on the market yourself.

Hardest slapshots are from the One95. Easiest loading is the R2XN10 (whip) and the Reebok 11k. Hardest slapshot ever is from the X:60, but I don't know how that one happened so it's not repeatable for me.

My hardest slappers are probably still with my R2XN10s, but only because I played with them so long that I really have my timing perfect with them. I've been working with my new 100 flex Miken ZLs and getting much better results with them on slappers than with the initial OPS I used.

[troy 12]

There wasn't anything "custom" about the shafts, other than the stickers they put on and you could do that to any stick on the market yourself.

There are flex, grip and length combinations that would be very difficult to find on a retail stick. Might not be custom but it is something. I think the stickers are far down the line when most people select Base.

[Chadd 916]

I think the stickers are far down the line when most people select Base.

For a lot of the people I've seen color came right after having their name/number on the stick and being able to say that it was custom. I wish more people bought based on getting the right combination of length and flex, rather than brand or "custom" features.

[Larry54 243]

For a lot of the people I've seen color came right after having their name/number on the stick and being able to say that it was custom. I wish more people bought based on getting the right combination of length and flex, rather than brand or "custom" features.

Well I'm not one of those people. For me the stick graphics were the last reason why I bought BASE shafts and blades. The features and performance are why I bought BASE and I'm so happy to have found a company that caters to my particular needs.

[mack 44]

I just gave their site a once-over and stopped after I read about how Polar Fibre was "revolutionary."

[the_game 452]

I'm currently rotating between an Easton EQ50 & an Eaton Mako, both 85 flex, both with Grip, both with Bauer blades. I have both shafts cut to the same length but the EQ50 does play a bit stiffer than its Mako counterpart, not by much but you can notice it. In the past I've used T-Flex's, Louisville, Mission Flyweights, Innovative/Warrior, & Bauer. I never liked the kick point on Bauer, I agree that my XN10 fired laser beams compared to everything else out there, and with Innovative/Warrior they all start off strong and slowly torquing becomes a huge issue with my release.

The last Easton Tapered shafts I used were the Synthesis & Synergy II which had horrible puck feel & release compared to a Synergy 1-piece. I disagree that all Easton has done is slapped a new paint job on either of the EQ50 or Mako. I can definitely feel an improved kick on both of the shafts and they have both held up very well over 8 months or so of use. I love the kickpoint on both the EQ50 & Mako, I came from using an RS w/ a Darby curve and after that snapped I had to go back to using Bauer P89 blades. I used a Bauer One95 but the flex point on that stick was so high up i could not get used to it. I then went back to a Dolomite & Innovative Novius, both perform well but both are pretty old and torquing became to common an occurrence. I was able to find an EQ50 on closeout and between the low kick point and puck feel it felt better than the other shafts that I owned, I then decided to give a Mako a try after liking the EQ50 and was very pleased with Mako.

I would say if you can find an EQ50 on closeout somewhere, give it a shot.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Used my Dynasty shaft for the first time on Sunday for a beer league game. Was very happy with it. Like Chadd said.....it has a very Vapor like release which I love. I bought mine in a 75 flex so it was easy to load but still had a nice snap/release to it. I do not want to comment on puck feel yet as this is my 1st two piece stick ever so I'm not sure if that is something to get used to or not. It also could be part of the blade since it was a hand me down from a buddy. But overall, happy with the shaft so far.

[nac14 0]

I have used the 11k and the APX. I loved the 11k great feel and everything it just go real whippy and it kind of lost its pop. I switch to the APX and it was ok, the pop wasn't as smooth and fluid threw the shaft as i would have liked.