Why is there a lack of toe curves on the market?

[z1ggy 81]

Maybe this is just because I only shop at hockeymonkey, but I noticed there's only really two companies that offer a legit toe curve: Easton and Warrior. And I believe for the newest line up of sticks, Warrior got rid of the toe curve (Gionta) which is what I use. Easton now has the E28 dual lie, which is a basic clone of the Gionta. I got super lucky last night and got a clearance Warrior stick for $100 (orig $200) that was a Gionta, but my next choice after that was like a $200 Easton if I wanted the E28 curve.

So what gives? I always used a mid/ mid-heel curve, but I tried out a toe curve and haven't looked back. My snap shot almost immediately became better and my puck control increased as well. The only thing I still need to adjust to is wrist shots.

Please inform me otherwise or correct me... But is the toe curve just not popular?

[mjpisat 36]

Warrior makes the w28 which is an e28 clone.

I think what gives is that right now in the retail market the toe curves aren't that popular with the masses

[flip12 717]

The x28's should play a bit differently, just considering curve profile, than the WGionta. They curve from heel to toe, with an open face, especially at the toe. WGionta's more closed and doesn't really curve much until midblade.

[z1ggy 81]

The x28's should play a bit differently, just considering curve profile, than the WGionta. They curve from heel to toe, with an open face, especially at the toe. WGionta's more closed and doesn't really curve much until midblade.

According to the warrior curve pattern chart, the Gionta is slightly open. And according to my eyeballs, I can concur. It's not as open as my old Hall/Sakic, but it is not closed/neutral (like my old old Sherwood Coffee).

How will the 28's play differently? Simply because the face is more open? I wouldn't mind a more open face really, as I am used to that from my years of using open faces with the Hall curve. I would not like however, if it was more closed..But you seem to indicate that's not the case.

Edit to above:

I used this chart to help me see the differences in the blade.

http://www.hockeygiant.com/wahostblpach.html

so the 28's curve starts back a tad further and might have a slightly more open face, but that seems to be it. I'm sure I could adjust fine. But for now I have two sticks that are Gionta curves and I don't play in a very competitive league, so hopefully they will last me a long time. My last stick (2 piece) lasted me 3 years before it was done for good.

[mcne0101 16]

Aren't the Bauer P14 and P8 curves both pretty big toes?

[z1ggy 81]

Aren't the Bauer P14 and P8 curves both pretty big toes?

Looks like the P14 (Toews) is a mid toe, with a 6 lie. The P8 is labeled as a heel curve according to bauer.

[flip12 717]

According to the warrior curve pattern chart, the Gionta is slightly open. And according to my eyeballs, I can concur. It's not as open as my old Hall/Sakic, but it is not closed/neutral (like my old old Sherwood Coffee).

How will the 28's play differently? Simply because the face is more open? I wouldn't mind a more open face really, as I am used to that from my years of using open faces with the Hall curve. I would not like however, if it was more closed..But you seem to indicate that's not the case.

Edit to above:

I used this chart to help me see the differences in the blade.

http://www.hockeygiant.com/wahostblpach.html

so the 28's curve starts back a tad further and might have a slightly more open face, but that seems to be it. I'm sure I could adjust fine. But for now I have two sticks that are Gionta curves and I don't play in a very competitive league, so hopefully they will last me a long time. My last stick (2 piece) lasted me 3 years before it was done for good.

I totally agree with you, the Gionta has some openness to it, just not as much as the x28/Kreps. I guess I was just trying to point out where there are some slight differences between the two, but even though they're not exactly clones, they are very similar and I don't think it would take you long at all to adjust to the change.

One positive adjustment you may find: the kind of shooting Easton has been promoting so hard with the E28 might feel better with it. Not that it's impossible at all with the Gionta, for me, I've noticed that the few blades I've had with a shorter height at the heel than at the toe, snapping shots off the end of the blade is much sweeter, although that sweet spot might be a bit harder to find or narrower than on a blade with a more consistent blade height. Toe curves also seem to complicate that sweet spot location, which is one reason why I think they are not very popular at retail. For some people they work like magic. For many others, they don't work at all.

It looks like Sherwood has a clone of the Gionta if not something that's just closer to it, the PP01-Smith, but last I checked it was only available on a top of the line model or two.

Also, Base has some more toe curves. They offer their own Kreps, BC28, as well as "Pro Custom Hossa" BC01 and "Pro Custom Russell" BC10.

[Chadd 916]

Please inform me otherwise or correct me... But is the toe curve just not popular?

In the past, toe curves never sold well at all. With all of the marketing behind the E28 and people wanting to use something different, that trend looks to be changing.

[z1ggy 81]

In the past, toe curves never sold well at all. With all of the marketing behind the E28 and people wanting to use something different, that trend looks to be changing.

Once the new line up becomes affordable for me (I dont spend more than $100 on a stick) I really want to try the E28 out. I love the Gionta but I think I would like the curve point to start just a tad further toward the heel. I had agame last night and it was only my 3rd game using it, so I'm still adjusting.

[Joonas #6 3]

#BringBackGionta

[hellaavangard 33]

Once the new line up becomes affordable for me (I dont spend more than $100 on a stick) I really want to try the E28 out. I love the Gionta but I think I would like the curve point to start just a tad further toward the heel. I had agame last night and it was only my 3rd game using it, so I'm still adjusting.

Warrior's DT4LT is available in the W28 and is at the $100 pricepoint, I was seriously considering one but I use intermediates and the W28 is only on the senior models

[iceholes 0]

I used to use the xxxlite m.hossa pro stock... that was a toe curve...

[flip12 717]

I used to use the xxxlite m.hossa pro stock... that was a toe curve...

I think the OP had retail in mind.

[thejackal 46]

just got my sticks with the Base BC01 curve. looks almost identical with the Brett Hull prostocks I had back in the day. skinny blade, very rockered, meat-hook type curve.

cant wait to try it out.

[SirJW 207]

Low flex too?

[thejackal 46]

Low flex too?

75flex. Im 6'2 200lb. nuff said