Please assess this blade break

[ridindirty 11]

Hey guys, getting back into hockey after 15 yrs or so. I have never really used composite sticks until now.

Is this break from a weak blade, or from a bad slap shot, or blocked shot? I was practicing slappers and kinda decided to take one while skating with the puck and totally missed... I was also playing D yesterday and was getting in the mix a lot. I didn't notice the break until I was off the ice.

So I'm wondering if this is a normal spot or a bad blade.

I have only used the stick 6-8 times.

Its a pro stock Mako, so no warranty. Im not trying to blame the guy I bought it from or anything, I just want to learn what is a legit break or a bad break, etc. I am sure I will have more sticks than I need within 6 mo's, and this information will be valuable to me.

Thanks.

Pic:

[redwing80 0]

I don't know how u even hit a puck in that spot..

[Stewie 721]

whenever i get chips or cracks in that area, its usually from blocking a shot, or catching a hard pass/tip attempt, and sometimes stick on stick battles. Generally you will want to take slap shots closer to the toe than you are ;)

[ridindirty 11]

I'm not 100% sure it was from slap shot, but I recall missing a slap shot bad on that ice session... I thought the same as well "how could I even hit the puck here"? I didn't notice the break until after I was off the ice.

Could be from blocking a shot as well, I was forced to play D yesterday and kinda getting in the mix a lot.

Regardless, is that a normal spot or a bad blade?

[Chadd 916]

Regardless, is that a normal spot or a bad blade?

Not normal, though that doesn't mean it was a bad blade.

The impact mark indicates that blocking a shot there may very well have contributed to the break.

[Stewie 721]

i agree with Chadd. Its more likely from something like that, than a shot.

[notquitedeadyet 13]

It is hard to tell for sure from the picture, but it looks like the shape suggests a smaller circle than a puck would make.

Any chance it got stepped on or kicked?

[SCOMPL 14]

It looks to me like someone stepped on it (wearing skates) while it was on the ground. If I'm seeing it right, the damaged area closest to the heel is folded in, towards the point of impact at the top of the blade. At the top of the blade, it looks like the toe of a skate blade scraped away some paint before puncturing.

If it happened on the ice, chances are the break would be angled downward, instead of upwards. Also, I really don't see a puck doing that.

[ridindirty 11]

Very well could have been stepped on, although i dont recall.

So judging from all your posts, this was caused by normal wear and tear and not an inherently weak blade.