Changing stick, would like advice.....

[Beast59 0]

I apologise if this has been covered before. I couldn't find anything by searching, but if there is please point me in the right direction!

I currently play with a reebok 8.0.8 with a Hamrlik curve. I love the stick and find it suits my playing style perfectly. Unfortunately, the blade on this stick has now broken and as such I need a replacement. Due to living in the UK I have a very limited range of sticks from which to choose. I cannot get a new 8.0.8 and so I am left with trying to find a new stick type.

I am looking for a intermediate- range stick with similar attributes to the 8.0.8 (maybe a lower kick-point, thinking of the team I play for now I will be expected to take quick snappers/wristers, but the occasional slapper as well). Durability is also a major point for me and I would like to learn from others experiences.

Basically the sticks I am looking at:

Sherwood N8

Reebok 6K

Easton S7

Bauer Nexus 400/X2.0

Mission DT5

I know this is a lot to ask of you guys but any help you can offer would be appreciated. There isnt exactly a wealth of knowledge on hockey in the UK.

Thanks

[sickwilly 37]

Have you considered using a 2 piece setup at all?

[Beast59 0]

I have thought about it, but do not know to much about the pros/cons of two piece set ups compare to One-piece sticks. I have always gone for one piece sticks for ease i suppose.

[bolt91 31]

Look for top end clearance sticks as well.

Suggestions:

Warrior Dolomite

Bauer Vapor X3.0 or X4.0

Winwell GX8

Warrior DT4

Graf G45

Reebok 16K

Sher-wood T90

CCM U+08

[sickwilly 37]

Am I correct in guessing that most hockey gear is ridiculously expensive in the UK?

Changing blades is a snap with 2 piece setups. It only takes a few minutes, well worth the savings (to me, anyway). It's nice to be able to replace only the part of the stick that breaks. Over the years, I have gotten the most durability out of standard 2 piece setups. I usually break OPS or tapered shafts more quickly.

I don't think you'd find that going to a high quality 2 piece setup from a mid-range OPS to be a con at all. If you're looking for a lower kickpoint, keep an eye out for tapered shafts/blades. (The shaft and blade must both be standard or tapered to work together). One con is that it may be harder to find tapered blades in some places. I've never had an difficulty finding them online, but I'm in the States. If I'm not mistaken, several OPS through the years have been fused 2 piece setups, anyway. Even if I went back to a standard (mid-kick) setup, I prefer the performance of these setups to the mid-range OPS I've tried.

Once you get your post count up, the buy/sell forums here can be a nice place to good deals on nice stuff.

You may have some luck on ebay. Some sellers might even be willing to ship to Europe when retailers may not be able/willing to.

acapt91's suggestion of getting good older models on clearance is another good option.

[Chadd 916]

A good two piece will be more expensive initially, but you will save money over the long term if you tend to wear out or break blades before the shafts die. Since you were using an 8.0.8., it sure doesn't sound like you are hard on your sticks.

[Beast59 0]

Yes hockey kit can be far too expensive at times, especially sticks. Cheers for the advice so far, I will look at both a two piece set up and some clearance sticks....although the only clearance stick I can find near me is the stealth s7 it would seem.

Also the only reason I could get an 8.0.8 is because of someone I play with who bought it, imported it and then sold it to me at a very reduced cost, so this was an exception and unfortunately I no longer have this luxury ha. ( unless of course I'm reading that wrong and you mean hard using the sticks?)

[Chadd 916]

My thought was that since it is several years old, you had not worn it out too quickly.

[Beast59 0]

Oh i'm sorry then i totally misunderstood that, and now feel like a bit of a idiot for how i worded my post. It wasnt meant to be as aggressive as it sounds.

No I only just got it September.We get sticks really late over here in the UK, we cannot even get the 8.0.8 without importing. Having had a scout around, two piece looks the best option for me. Any advice on what to look for in a good set up? I can get the ccm u+8 shaft pretty cheap.

[TBLfan 25]

I agree with the 2-piece assessment. If it was me, I'd look for an Easton Ultralite/ST shaft and some standard blades on eBay or in the gear exchange on MSH. High-end shaft with durability and performance similar to the 8.0.8 (in my opinion) and they made a lot of them so they're cheap, even when you have to pay for shipping to the UK.