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Troy11

Choosing a stick: Mid Level Current Year or Higher old Year

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I am not great and play in a recreational type league, but have $100-115 to spend on a stick, it will most likely last me a while.

I like to research things so I have been reading up reviews and such and the Bauer x80 looked like a good fit for me, I like snap/wrist shots so I would benefit from a low kick point and I play forward, mainly setting myself up in front of the net.

I went into the store to take a look at some curves and possibly pick up the x80 for $100. The sales person pointed me at a Reebok 11k SicKick 3 they had on sale for $120, saying it is a few years old, but a high end stick instead of a mid level stick for just 20 dollars more.

Open and appreciative of anyone that has experience with these sticks or advice on what they think might be best. I guess I am kind of stuck on the stick buzzwords like the "Aerofoam 3" that helps remove vibration from receiving passes and stuff :P

Thanks!

Troy.

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Hi Troy,

The price range you've selected is the most competitive and will give you many options to choose from. Sticks in this price point will have a balance of performance and durability, just overall good value. When you go from a mid-end to higher end stick you're pretty much trading fibreglass for carbon. It shaves some weight off the stick and has a bit of increased performance. Higher end sticks will have more carbon but if durability is very high on your priority list I would recommend getting something mid-end instead.

That being said, these $100ish sticks will also have different characteristics (ex. shaft shape, grip/non-grip, patterns) for you to choose from.

Here are three of the sticks I like (in no particular order):

1. Easton 65S II

2. CCM RBZ 80

3. Bauer Vapor X80

All three sticks come in Grip with the Easton coming in non-grip as well. The downside of the Easton is it isn't offered in 75 flex (which I use) but you're fine if you're looking for 85/100.

The RBZ is very lightweight and the blade has lots of pop, but kind of lacks feel since the blade is so rigid. The Bauer is a huge improvement this year, much better than their last $99 stick (the X4.0) which felt like a brick.

I'd recommend trying all three and see which one feels better in your hands. I prefer the Bauer Vapor X80 because it has a rounder shaft shape, comes in 75 flex, has the curve I want (P92), and just feels good when I hold it.

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I generally go with high end stuff that's on clearance after companies release newer models. I have used 2 piece 11k setups, and have been pleased, especially with the durability. My only complaints were that the grip is very tacky and that (to me) they played a bit stiffer than rated. The 11k blades that I have used had good feel and are absolute tanks.

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Thanks guys! It helps to hear from people that have used the sticks.or at least know something about them :)

What determines if you should use a SR or INT stick? I am ~5'10, 190#. I would definitely cut down a SR stick to an average length for me. Would it be advantageous to use an INT stick and cut less (or none) not sure what size they would be. Would I lose a lot of durability? This stick hopefully will last me a while.

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The issue with an Int stick is the shaft is a little smaller which a lot of adults don’t like, however this doesn’t mean an Int stick isn’t for you, pick one up and see how it feels in your hands. It’s all personal preference. I’d suggest trying to find a lower flex Sr if you're having to cut off a considerable amount.

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The 11k blades that I have used had good feel and are absolute tanks.

Interesting, as the general consensus around here seems to be that Reebok blades have issues with the toe chipping and turning to mush, even when taping the toe. I wonder if the two-piece blades are manufactured using a different process? I have one low-end smu Reebok stick which is actually pretty good for the price-point, but the toe has some huge chips and gashes in it.

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Interesting, as the general consensus around here seems to be that Reebok blades have issues with the toe chipping and turning to mush, even when taping the toe. I wonder if the two-piece blades are manufactured using a different process? I have one low-end smu Reebok stick which is actually pretty good for the price-point, but the toe has some huge chips and gashes in it.

I can only speak to my own experience with them (2 total, both going strong). I also tape around the toe and use Mr. Zog's, FWIW. For me, the only blades that have held up better have been One95s.

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Yeah, my 11k has been through hell and back with only minor toe issues that all my sticks see. Individual results may vary, but if you can get an 11k cheap I'd go with it. The drawbacks to me are similar to sickwilly, the grip is a little to grippy for my liking, although it's mostly worn off by now, and the 11k played stiffer than it's rating in my eyes

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I think maybe what I want to do is get a senior stick but go with the 77 flex. I imagine once I cut it down for my height (around 5-9, 5-10) it should probably come out around 85 flex which seems to be a good all around flex.

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The issue with an Int stick is the shaft is a little smaller which a lot of adults don’t like, however this doesn’t mean an Int stick isn’t for you, pick one up and see how it feels in your hands. It’s all personal preference. I’d suggest trying to find a lower flex Sr if you're having to cut off a considerable amount.

To me finding a shaft that fills my hand without being too big is key. Too big and I feel like it's unwieldy or boxy, too small it twists in my hands on shots and faceoffs. I find eastons too boxy and the Bauer vapor line was a little too small.

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^im with you. For a little while I was using a tapered shaft flipped to accept a standard blade and found that I really liked the slim tapered grip I got because of it. My hands aren't huge which helped.

One of my two piece sticks I have is the reebok 16k shaft and I love it. Been wanting to pick up another sometime in the near future before you can't get them anymore. Mine has held up great so far. I'm really aggressive after the puck and do a lot of upward chops under someone's stick to try and free the puck

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To the original question in that price range I really like the Sherwood T90. It was Sherwoods top stick in that line as recently as two years ago and is the only second price point stick I am aware of that can be regularly found for <$150 without a significant markdown or closeout.

As far as the issue between an intermediate and a senior stick recommendations in part would need to be based upon how much you might be cutting down a senior stick. Even an lighter 85 flex senior stick that is cut down 6" or more may become as stiff as a 95 (or higher) rated stick, with an intermediate stick you start a little shorter and generally can find softer flexes as low as 65 or 75. While it is true that most intermediate sticks will be a little smaller in diameter that will vary from stick to stick particularly based upon shaft geometry with a more rounded shaft feeling smaller.

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First let me clarify that I like options...so I really like shafts and blades. I can get a higher end shaft and use whatever blades I like or find a deal on. Sure the weight varies on blades... but you can swap them around and see what combinations work for you.

Just this week I switched out a newer wood blade for a comp. Blade I had in a softer flex stick to lower the weight on that one and then I pulled the old yzerman wood blade from my tank easton stealth shaft and put in a custom curve I developed from an old easton zetterberg wood and this looks alot like the new ccm landeskog curve. This blade has a different sole and toe than the yzerman I have. I also cut and sand the soles on some wood blades to get the blade I want to be playing with.

gOod luck on your search...also look for sherwood nexus sticks as they are being cleared out for the new rekker line and they have a low kick point.

You can always search for a closeout midline stick and get what you want at the price you will like.

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^im with you. For a little while I was using a tapered shaft flipped to accept a standard blade and found that I really liked the slim tapered grip I got because of it. My hands aren't huge which helped.

One of my two piece sticks I have is the reebok 16k shaft and I love it. Been wanting to pick up another sometime in the near future before you can't get them anymore. Mine has held up great so far. I'm really aggressive after the puck and do a lot of upward chops under someone's stick to try and free the puck

I think that's the first I've heard of a tapered shaft being flipped. yeah the apx fit my hands well when I came back from playing but in the end a bigger shaft with rounded corners was better. Its amazing how the radius of a corner has such a big effect on how the shaft sits in your hand. in the guitar world this is like the sides of the fretboard, some like big shoulders, some like them shaved down and rounded. Unfortunately though you can't shave down a stick.

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It's obviously less complicated to buy retail price-point sticks, but if you're willing to invest some time and effort, you can pretty easily find top-of-the-line sticks for around $100 online. I, like you, am not an elite player (I play C/D rec league), but I definitely appreciate having high-end sticks. I guess I'm a bit of a stick whore.

Good Sticks I got for $100 or less so far:

-TotalOne: Bought used off this site. Paid around $100 shipped.

-Pro stock 11k: Bought new off Sports2k, picked up locally. 100$

-Winnwell Pro 480: Bought for $70 on sale at Canadian Tire.

TotalOne and 11k have been great. Jury's still out on the Pro 480, but after using it for one game, it definitely feels light, well-balanced, and puck feel seems good. Can't comment too much on shooting because I've been getting used to the curve though.

My recommendations for you: Find an APX (last year's model) or a Covert DT1 (also, last year's model) on the marketplace section of this forum or on Sports2k. You should be able to pick one up for around 100-150$ if you look hard enough. If it has to be retail, go for a shaft-blade combo or a T90 LKP.

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sickwilly sold me on the idea of the 2 piece about 6 months ago when I was first getting back into hockey. I went with the TotalOne tapered shafts and have been enjoying them. I think I would do better with a quicker release/lower kickpoint, as I feel like I really need to load them to fire off wristers, but they are awesome otherwise. Bladewise, I still have not found a pattern that I am a huge fan of (tried Kopitar, Zetterberg, Iginla- they are all ok, but I am still trying to dial in the lie that is right for me), so the shaft logic is making total sense at this time. We will see how Kovalchuck suits me. Especially if you do not know what blade pattern you like, go 2 piece.

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Souldriver, I should have specified that what I flipped started as a OPS. Once the blade was toast I cut it off and flipped it.

Ahh, that is the lockerom norm around here.

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