Shot Question - curve or kick point working for me?

[flyguy1 1]

I mainly use a mid kick stick and snap shot is OK but not great. It's Bauer TO 75 flex p14 curve lie 6. I have great control with this stick and is my main stick. My back up stick is a low kick point 85 flex and usually take a couple shots with it at stick and puck and my snap shot are lasers. It's a lie 5 p92 which is real similar to the p14 and lie is also about the same. I like the feel of my TO better but not sure if its the low kick that gives me the better snap shot or the curve does. Also my slapshot is non existent with my warrior but decent with my TO. I'm thinking about getting an APX next and I like the p14 lie 6 but want to get what will give me the best overall shot. Is it more the kick point that is more responsive to my snap/wristers or curve? I also like the shorter blade of the p14, the p92 is a bit longer.

[Chadd 916]

Which warrior stick is your backup?

You have curve, flex and kickpoint as variables. That's too much for any of us to say that one of them is the problem with any level of certainty. If I had to guess, I would go with the P92 curve being the reason for the improvement on your shot.

[smcgreg 81]

Chadd has a point, in that there are a lot of variables to this equation, but as one who has tried all of your variables (e.g. Tone stick vs Warrior Widow stick) and the curves you've tried, I'll say it's kickpoint. On my wristers using the Widow with both the P92 equivalent in Warrior and the Kovalchuk, the P92 is a bit weaker for me. It flutters too much. IN both cases though, the Widows are stronger than with a Tone on wristers. Granted, I haven't tried a kovalchuk cuve in the Tone. Not even sure which one it would be. Since I've tried the Widows, I've never gone back to a mid kick stick.

There is probably no definitive answer on this one (at least not an easy one), but for me the difference in performance with a low kick vs mid kick stick with regard to wrist shots is pretty noticeable. Your mileage may very though.

my 2 cents

Steve

[flyguy1 1]

Thanks, my backup is a warrior Diablo. I want to use something that will give me the best overall shot and puck control especially receiving hard passes. My TO is a great stick but my snapper is nothing like on my backup stick. I know it would be hard to tell but I figured I'd ask before making an expensive experiment. Also, my slap shot is horrible with the p92 but I know slappers are alittle easier with mid kick sticks.

[Chadd 916]

I haven't used the Diablo but the widow does not play like an APX to me. In fact, it feels like the flex profiles are completely different. The Widow loads easily and kicks smoothly, while the APX does not load as much or as easily, making it very difficult to be consistent with my shooting motion.

[flyguy1 1]

I always wanted to try an APX but I also had in mind a DT1, RS or RBZ, them obviously being low kick sticks. It's just expensive to experiment going off my last 2 sticks in deciding on curve and kick point, my mid kick option would probably be an NXG.

[Chadd 916]

I always wanted to try an APX but I also had in mind a DT1, RS or RBZ, them obviously being low kick sticks. It's just expensive to experiment going off my last 2 sticks in deciding on curve and kick point, my mid kick option would probably be an NXG.

I would go with the DT1 in the curve that appeals to you the most. You already know that the 85 flex P92 style curve works well for your shot, the only down side is that there really isn't a P14 type curve unless you go with the Versteeg curve from the customizer. The DT2 in the Gionta might also be worth considering as it was designed to address some of the issues people have had with slapshots using the dagger taper.

[JSK81 400]

Actually, the Warrior Chara pattern is the same as Bauer P14.

I would go with the DT1 in the curve that appeals to you the most. You already know that the 85 flex P92 style curve works well for your shot, the only down side is that there really isn't a P14 type curve unless you go with the Versteeg curve from the customizer. The DT2 in the Gionta might also be worth considering as it was designed to address some of the issues people have had with slapshots using the dagger taper.

[Chadd 916]

Actually, the Warrior Chara pattern is the same as Bauer P14.

I have heard that but the description and image on the Warrior customizer site didn't match up, so I assumed that it wasn't the case anymore. Nice to see that they have the curve he wants in a stick that can match up with his other preferences.

[flyguy1 1]

I think the DT1 in a P92 type curve will give me a similar response to my backup right now, a good snap shot but a horrible slap shot. I know I have to work on it but I guess what I'm looking for is something that will give me best of both worlds. Would these curve differences give me a total change in shot, even though are somewhat similar? Is the longer blade length on P92 somewhat helping my release point? My snap/wrister is sometimes alittle wobbly with my TO P14

I know no one will know without seeing my mechanics but I guess I have to pull the trigger on one.

[Xero117 7]

I think I may be able to help you out as I have a totalone (P92), covert dt1 (Kopitar/p92 clone) and an X:60 (P14). These are all intermediates cut down to 52" so flex varies between them (80 on the T1, ~65-70 on the DT1 and 72 on the X:60).

So here's my take on what I feel about my shots with these 3 sticks.

Totalone: Amazing slappers that lie flat but ok wrists and snapshots that have some slight flutter. This could be due to the flex being too stiff for me which could negatively impact my shots compared to my other sticks in a lighter flex. I have no hesitation ripping one-timers or slapshots at the point with this stick as it produces the best slapshot among the 3 sticks.

Covert DT1: Hands down the best snap and wrist shots I've had since my vapor xxx lite. No flutter at all when using this with a p92 curve clone and the release is insanely quick for wristers and snaps. For slapshots I would have to lower my hand quite a bit compared to my total one and X:60 for a solid shot and even then it is a weaker compared to the other 2 sticks. In game, if I had the chance to take a slapshot I would instead take a snapshot or a wrist shot instead as I don't feel confident in my slapshots with this stick.

X:60: The jack of all trades stick in my opinion as I can take any kind of shot with this stick and it'll perform quite well. It won't give me the best wrist shot, or the fastest snap shot, or the most powerful slapshot but it certainly won't suck at it. I feel that I don't need to hesitate when taking a slapshot in game or put a quick snap to bar down either as I know the shot will be great. All my shots are flat when using the p14 curve with this stick unlike the totalone with the p92 although it could just be because it's stiffer as I don't have an issue with flutter with the dt1 except on slapshots.

As I find the X:60 to be the jack of all trades stick, I would go with the APX in a p14 curve and just work on getting your shots flat with it.

This is just my opinion so don't take everything I said as fact

Hope this helps and isn't a real mess to read.

[Chadd 916]

I think the DT1 in a P92 type curve will give me a similar response to my backup right now, a good snap shot but a horrible slap shot. I know I have to work on it but I guess what I'm looking for is something that will give me best of both worlds. Would these curve differences give me a total change in shot, even though are somewhat similar? Is the longer blade length on P92 somewhat helping my release point? My snap/wrister is sometimes alittle wobbly with my TO P14

I know no one will know without seeing my mechanics but I guess I have to pull the trigger on one.

The only thing that will give you the best of both worlds is to practice and learn how to do it all with one stick. It is a matter of learning what you need to do in order to get the best out of the stick. That may mean altering your shooting motion. I'd love a stick that was the right flex and kickpoint for my slappers and wrist shots. Unfortunately, there is no way to have a stick automatically increase in stiffness on slappers and load easily on wristers. Unless you are the Chara on your team and the powerplay revolves around you launching bombs from the blue line, get something that is great for your wrist and snap shots and adjust your slapper motion to make it work. Slappers are the least-used shots at higher levels of play anyway. With the widow/DT1 you can't try and force the slapper, you have to be smooth with it. Slow down your motion, make it as smooth as possible, then increase speed and force until you max out on the performance of the stick. In the end, you should be able to get about 90% of the velocity of your best slappers with much less windup and a faster release.

I'm not a fan of the P14 curve, most people that I see don't seem to shoot well with it. My guess is that your motion is better suited to the P92 curve.

[flyguy1 1]

Thanks guys, even though these have been the only 2 curves I have used since I've been back to playing, I do have a better shot with the p92. I do like my control and feel with the p14 but I guess its only logical to go with a p92. Is there any curve anyone would recommend since I don't have experience with different curves? I saw a p88 today and looked decent, alittle less open compared to the p92. Not sure I want to try something nee or stay with the same.

[XveritasX 13]

Thanks guys, even though these have been the only 2 curves I have used since I've been back to playing, I do have a better shot with the p92. I do like my control and feel with the p14 but I guess its only logical to go with a p92. Is there any curve anyone would recommend since I don't have experience with different curves? I saw a p88 today and looked decent, alittle less open compared to the p92. Not sure I want to try something nee or stay with the same.

If I was you I would just stick with the p92 and their clones. They seem to work pretty well for you, and the more you use it the better it should be. One thing I really like about the p92 is its availability, you can find pretty much whatever stick you want in that curve.