Custom Curves - todays methods?

[AlphaSierra 1]

I tried the search and apologize if I missed it. After getting back into the game after years off, and still getting the hang of the changes since I was playing. So how do the kids today dial in their curve as they get more competitive? Back in my day, I got a wood blade just how I wanted it curved and shaped and sent it in for customs. Until kids get signed on to semi pro or above is everyone just using retail curves that are available? Basic question, just curious as my son just started playing and I would imagine one day I better have an answer!

[Souldriver 64]

Well I would lookk to see if retails fit the bill first bc that's what's easiest and there is almost something for everyone. You can also check prostocks. Hockeymonkey has a huge amount of prostocks and pictures of almost every curve, the Reebok ai9s alone may be over 100 different curves. Though I will saw a lot of pros use something very close to the drury, sakic, or square toe cammeleri curves

[flip12 729]

I worry about this too. I don't like most of the retail options.

[Chadd 916]

More and more pros grew up using composite and use retail curves. If they do actually use a custom curve, they are usually just tweaks to existing patterns or copies of curves used by other guys.

[flip12 729]

I wish we could fast forward to 3-d printed blades and skates. The patterns that suit me are hard to find.

More and more pros grew up using composite and use retail curves. If they do actually use a custom curve, they are usually just tweaks to existing patterns or copies of curves used by other guys.

It's sad to me. I miss that individuality in players' patterns.

[Souldriver 64]

3d printing may work for abs street blades but everything else is much more intricate than what a ive seen a 3d printer do.

I would liek to see companies actually name a curve after who actually uses it.
Zetterberg pretty much uses a drury, why cant their zetterberg model be that instead of what it is now.

[Chadd 916]

I would liek to see companies actually name a curve after who actually uses it.

Zetterberg pretty much uses a drury, why cant their zetterberg model be that instead of what it is now.

The way many pros change curves, it simply isn't reasonable to expect them to change the molds for mass production simply because the pro wanted something a little different.

[steelnation248 102]

I would liek to see companies actually name a curve after who actually uses it.

Zetterberg pretty much uses a drury, why cant their zetterberg model be that instead of what it is now.

It's just marketing purposes. I'm sure if you ask most hockey players, they wouldn't be able to tell you or care what curve a pro uses.

Also, Z uses a Drury style curve but it's still different that the retail model. A lot of players make their own tweaks, that's the perk of being a pro.

[Souldriver 64]

i guess i agree to the two posts above and i do know its marketing. but i still feel some of them are soooo way off there really isnt a thought to it besides "these guys are the big sponsors and big names, give xx curve that name!"

Though i admit i almost ordered a zetterberg prostock curve from the customizer, i realized "his" retail p88/w88 curve is what i use and what works with me best.

[fogelberg 9]

Eleven Hockey has options for producing custom blades.

[flip12 729]

I know 3-d printing now is too simplistic for this. I just imagine when they'll have different materials they can print in any sort of pattern specified by the 3-d spec drawing. Just like CMYK but with different fibers that could yield differential stiffnesses and densities, materialities at various positions within the desired body. Even if these could work, but weren't viably durable for several weeks' use, they would be great for at least testing geometries, balances, and so on for any desired parameter, before deciding on a $1500 mold fee. Though, by then, that mold fee price probably won't be the same and it may not be the same process even.

Also, the only 3-d printing I've seen is subtractive--where the form printed is what is kept out of a block where everything else is etched away. This would likely have to be an additive printing process.

i guess i agree to the two posts above and i do know its marketing. but i still feel some of them are soooo way off there really isnt a thought to it besides "these guys are the big sponsors and big names, give xx curve that name!"

Though i admit i almost ordered a zetterberg prostock curve from the customizer, i realized "his" retail p88/w88 curve is what i use and what works with me best.

It seems like a lot of pro patterns are more difficult to use and/or more difficult to sell. Some don't have the visual appeal necessary to convince a buyer. When I was happy with the blade I curved at home, I was a bit horrified to see the actual blade shape. It worked like a charm, and knowing that helped me feel good when looking at it, but when I'd imagine it while suppressing the memory of how well it worked, it would look like an anomaly to me.

[Neal 41]

I know 3-d printing now is too simplistic for this. I just imagine when they'll have different materials they can print in any sort of pattern specified by the 3-d spec drawing. Just like CMYK but with different fibers that could yield differential stiffnesses and densities, materialities at various positions within the desired body. Even if these could work, but weren't viably durable for several weeks' use, they would be great for at least testing geometries, balances, and so on for any desired parameter, before deciding on a $1500 mold fee. Though, by then, that mold fee price probably won't be the same and it may not be the same process even.

Also, the only 3-d printing I've seen is subtractive--where the form printed is what is kept out of a block where everything else is etched away. This would likely have to be an additive printing process.

There are additive 3D printers. I've had prototypes for camera mounts printed for me. They were plastic resins and surprisingly strong considered they were printed by what looked like fancy inkjet printers. But they were a long way from hockey blade strong. I'd say you could match or exceed a Mylec street hockey blade though.

[flip12 729]

There are additive 3D printers. I've had prototypes for camera mounts printed for me. They were plastic resins and surprisingly strong considered they were printed by what looked like fancy inkjet printers. But they were a long way from hockey blade strong. I'd say you could match or exceed a Mylec street hockey blade though.

That's really cool! I'm pretty behind on what's current technologically, but it's cool discussing it here.