Intermediate Stick Question w/ cutting stick down

[MrDucksworth 1]

Hey guys/gals, new to the forum. After finally coming to a realization earlier this week and doing a bunch of research I figured I'd give my personal story and see what people with similar experiences thought about it... I'm 25, been playing hockey for almost 20 years and have always gone with senior sticks, 87 flex Bauer's mostly. Now I'm hearing a bunch on the internet about guys using intermediate sticks for flex reasons. I'm seriously considering this...

I'm considering it because with a 60" Bauer 87 flex Sr. stick I cut it about 9" and play with a 50-51" stick (measured this morning), I play with a very short stick, I love it for control, and I absolutely cannot believe I am just coming to the realization that when I cut down that 87 flex stick it's becoming unbelievably stiff for me. I feel like a moron, but I'm glad I thought about it haha.

I'm 5'11"-6' and weigh about 165-175 usually. I have an old Supreme One95 87 flex that I love and it is for sure skinnier than my new TotalOne, so I think I will be totally fine with the smaller shaft Intermediate, and since my play style fits one that takes a lot of wrist/snap shots I would love a real whippy stick... I have a pretty decent shot, but I'm starting to think it's hindered because of the flex...

So I just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were about getting an intermediate Bauer APX2 60 flex and cutting it down about 6-7" (since they are 57" intermediate) and in turn making it a 85-90 flex that I can shoot the crap out of as well as have at the length I'm most comfortable with.

Does this seem like the correct route to take? Should I give it a go? Thanks in advance for all the feedback.

-T

[Xero117 7]

Not sure if the old rule of thumb regarding flex and cutting still works now a days but it was an increase in 3 flex for every inch cut. A 67 flex cut down 6-7" would be around 85-88 flex so that could work for you.

[Stewie 721]

I think its harder than a simple equation nowadays, a lot of it having to do with flex profiles and variable areas of stiffness of the composite materials. Some sticks are engineered to have the stiffest points in the middle, and how much you might be cutting down I think would significantly impact the profile, you might want to check out a intermediate stick for that reason alone.

[forbs02 20]

Hey guys/gals, new to the forum. After finally coming to a realization earlier this week and doing a bunch of research I figured I'd give my personal story and see what people with similar experiences thought about it... I'm 25, been playing hockey for almost 20 years and have always gone with senior sticks, 87 flex Bauer's mostly. Now I'm hearing a bunch on the internet about guys using intermediate sticks for flex reasons. I'm seriously considering this...

I'm considering it because with a 60" Bauer 87 flex Sr. stick I cut it about 9" and play with a 50-51" stick (measured this morning), I play with a very short stick, I love it for control, and I absolutely cannot believe I am just coming to the realization that when I cut down that 87 flex stick it's becoming unbelievably stiff for me. I feel like a moron, but I'm glad I thought about it haha.

I'm 5'11"-6' and weigh about 165-175 usually. I have an old Supreme One95 87 flex that I love and it is for sure skinnier than my new TotalOne, so I think I will be totally fine with the smaller shaft Intermediate, and since my play style fits one that takes a lot of wrist/snap shots I would love a real whippy stick... I have a pretty decent shot, but I'm starting to think it's hindered because of the flex...

So I just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were about getting an intermediate Bauer APX2 60 flex and cutting it down about 6-7" (since they are 57" intermediate) and in turn making it a 85-90 flex that I can shoot the crap out of as well as have at the length I'm most comfortable with.

Does this seem like the correct route to take? Should I give it a go? Thanks in advance for all the feedback.

-T

Wow, you really do use a short stick. I'm 5'4" and use a 60 flex but I only cut about 2" off. It sits just under my chin in skates. Have you seen the intermediate sticks in person? At your height and weight I would think about trying a cut 67 flex first. It is a pretty big drop to go right to the 60 flex. I would hate for you to buy a new stick and have it be an absolute noodle on the ice.

Edit: I just measured a new int stick, the 57" measurement is from the top of the stick to the heel of the blade, it does not include the length of the blade so keep that in mind if you are ordering online.

[MrDucksworth 1]

Haha yea it is quite short. It sits at just below my colar bone on skates I believe. And yea I'm aware of the measurements to the heel of the blade, it was just about 51" or so on my stick, give or take a little. And that's what I was afraid of, forbs...having it be a noodle. May have to be smart and go with the 67 for a test run, then save or up for a little and get the 60 if I feel that's what I want.

So I guess that's the question then, 60 or 67.... Just wish I could mess around with one without having to spend even a small amount on a cheap one to try it. Decisions decisions.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 134]

Go with the 67 if you're stepping down to intermediate. I've used both intermediate 67 and senior 77 Bauer sticks and cut the senior sticks down 4 or 5 inches. The Vapor line in intermediate was good for me, but senior was too stiff. The Nexus line plays softer, so I'm feeling great with the 77 Senior Nexus cut down to about a 90 flex right now.

[smu 29]

Wow, you really do use a short stick. I'm 5'4" and use a 60 flex but I only cut about 2" off. It sits just under my chin in skates. Have you seen the intermediate sticks in person? At your height and weight I would think about trying a cut 67 flex first. It is a pretty big drop to go right to the 60 flex. I would hate for you to buy a new stick and have it be an absolute noodle on the ice.

Edit: I just measured a new int stick, the 57" measurement is from the top of the stick to the heel of the blade, it does not include the length of the blade so keep that in mind if you are ordering online.

I am 5'5" and 130lb, small frame!

As noted on other forums here I bought one of the best sticks out there, an Intermediate 60 flex Bauer TotalOne Supreme, (on a great sale) thinking that I could cut to my length and away I go. That horribly did not work because I did not measure where my top hand goes on the shaft in the LHS (where I cut the shaft). Once cut, below my chin with bare feet only, I realized what a mistake I made. I could not even bend the shaft.

I am one that likes to handle the puck in close and stick handle in front without having the butt end glove getting stuck in my sweater. You have much more control over the puck at this level and if you research the length many of the greatest NHL players used short sticks. This does not mean some of the greats did not use long ones either.

So the Bauer was cut at 49" long or about 55" with it standing in front of me. The cut made the stick close to 80 flex, much more than I could bend.

This summer, with the help from this forum, I choose from a new stick suggested from four suggestions. — All intermediates. There was the Intermediate 1) Warrior, 2) Sherwood (4" cut free zone), 3) Miken which is no longer around and The Base that is sold online only. With 3) The Base (Google it) you really don't know what you are getting, but looks like The Base can give you what you want.

I chose an Intermediate Warrior, Bandito at 55 flex. This time I placed my hand on the spot that I usually hold the shaft (2” below my chin) I was able to bend this stick and enjoyed the flex. This one suited me fine! It was not until I got on the ice that I noticed how much heavier it was than the Intermediate Bauer that then felt like a feather, but I could not bend it.

I have used the Intermediate Warrior until today when I found a 52 flex Junior Bauer Nexus 1000 (the Jr. TotalOne NXG is similar) that had a flex rating of 52-77 before the markings stopped. It appears stronger than any junior stick I have had. It is also odd that at the 77 flex was where I place my upper hand and the shaft had the similar flex as the Int Warrior I had. The only problem was that the shaft was smaller (better for my hand size) and the blade was about an inch shorter, something that I would prefer regular size.

What I did like was the weight, just over 360 grams, (my Int Bauer was not much more). This is 100 grams less than the Warrior and it felt I finally have a OPS that suits me. I should add that I have experimented with other junior OPS, but all never gave the ability to cut a bit off and achieve a 68-78 flex that will suit me. It does rate differently than the Bauer Intermediate, but WHY?

[smu 29]

Wow, you really do use a short stick. I'm 5'4" and use a 60 flex but I only cut about 2" off. It sits just under my chin in skates. Have you seen the intermediate sticks in person? At your height and weight I would think about trying a cut 67 flex first. It is a pretty big drop to go right to the 60 flex. I would hate for you to buy a new stick and have it be an absolute noodle on the ice.

Edit: I just measured a new int stick, the 57" measurement is from the top of the stick to the heel of the blade, it does not include the length of the blade so keep that in mind if you are ordering online.

I am 5'5", 130lbs and bought an intermediate 60 flex Bauer Supreme TOTALONE last year and that stick (intermediate) was nearly at my head level with bare feet. I bought it because it was on sale and I could flex the shaft and I had the thought of owning a great stick. Well I guess I was stupid because I had to cut about 7" off it. I like short sticks as well, but now I could not flex it as I estimate it is about an 80 flex.

[snipez96 4]

I'd give it a go I cut my sticks(APX/V9E)down til they are at the 73-75 flex 53" mark(I think)

Love intermediates sticks was the right move for me. My shot improved. I used to use 77flex (Apx/nexus1000)cut down took too much effort to load the shaft and my shot was weak.