Anyone else have a problem with blade cracking/wearing at the heel?

[louierev07 31]

So in the past year, I have already cracked two blades - and might be on my way to a third.

The first stick I got was a Warrior Widow - which after reading actually did have a bad reputation for blades cracking. Ended up cracking at the heel and extending upwards.

Then a few months later I tried out a harrow blade based on its durability reputation - which lasted me about 6 - 8 sessions before cracking at the heel, all the way up towards the toe.

gallery to rest of pics: http://imgur.com/a/6d7Pr#0

Finally I just got an Area 51 pro stock - which I have used ONCE so far, and the bottom of the stick already has some area worn on it. You can see in one spot on the bottom its slightly worn, and the tape actually ripped some of the finish off of the blade. I also should note, I did not even take one slapshot the one time I used this stick.

So has anyone else experienced this? The first thing that would come to mind is that I would need a lower lie - but Ive tried a lower lie, and it doesnt seem to be the problem. I have most recently just been wrapping with one coat, but I'm going to try putting a layer or two of clear tape to try to dampen the impact. Something like this:

Also, from what Ive noticed, I only have problems with certain types of blades. For example, the Mako blade I used, and a few others were very durable. So durable that if they wear down or chip on the bottom, the whole blade isnt compromised. I even used blade I ended up hating for street hockey a few times, and then ended up using it on ice later on and even though the bottom got a little worn, the whole blade didn't turn to shit.

The difference Ive seen from blades that last, and blades that dont, are the ones that last, dont have a carbon fiber weave that can easily get messed up - which once it is messed up a little its pretty much done because its gonna get bad fast. Mako blades, and others have a thick layer of something stopping this from happening.

Not sure if I just have bad luck, or what, but this is the main reason Ive been using two peice sticks, and am very hesitant to spend any good money on sticks. The Area 51 stick was 120 - which is a lot to spend on something that might not last very long.

[mc88 160]

It really depends on what you're doing. Are you taking slap shots? Wrist shots? Snap shots? What kind of surface? Ice? Concrete? Smooth concrete? Black top?

If you're seeing a noticeable trend, it usually means your technique is a bit off OR you need to cut the stick down a bit more so that more of the toe lies on the surface. The biggest indicator of what's wrong is the wear pattern. Most of the wear on your blade is at the heel, which means the stick is too long, resting too much on the heel, and needs to be cut down. However, if the stick is cut down to the right height, then you need to swing with your hands higher up and strike more towards the center/toe of the blade. For example, taking slap shots on rough concrete, where your heel is mainly striking the surface, will absolutely kill the blade. On ice, the surface is more forgiving.

None of your sticks should have much of a wear pattern when the stick is properly taped, cut-to-size, using proper technique and used at a local ice rink.

Here's a picture of some sticks I use for my driveway:

1 and 3 have even wear patterns suggesting a good height and/or good technique, while 2 and 4 have uneven wear patterns, suggesting too tall and/or wrong technique.

[Chadd 916]

When you see a trend like that with multiple manufacturers, it's you. For the damage to be happening that fast, it sure sounds like a technique issue. Usually, that's with slap shots or banging the heel on the ice as it is the impact that normally causes the problem. If you are seeing damage like that without taking any slap shots after one game, the ice must be like sandpaper.

[burr14 17]

Same problem with my Warrior Dt1. Had a warrior Ak before and didn't have any problems with cracking but I've had this warrior dt1 since about august and the blade isn't holding up well.. Almost seems like it's about to break.

[AllCanadian 2]

When I had that problem is was because my stick was probably too long for my shooting technique and I was taking too much ice behind the puck especially on slapshots. I have not cracked a blade on the heel in 3 or so years playing 5 times a week.

[louierev07 31]

When you see a trend like that with multiple manufacturers, it's you. For the damage to be happening that fast, it sure sounds like a technique issue. Usually, that's with slap shots or banging the heel on the ice as it is the impact that normally causes the problem. If you are seeing damage like that without taking any slap shots after one game, the ice must be like sandpaper.

So heres the thing. I checked what position the stick would have to be at to cause wearing at that spot, and its nowhere where the stick touches when shooting either wrist shots or slap shots. And the ONE night I used it that caused that small spot I am 100% sure I didn't take any slap shots, and was pretty easy on the stick all around. The one position my stick would touch the ice in that spot would be either puck handling, or banging on the ice calling for the puck (didn't do this a lot either).

When I play roller (or street) with the same type of stick (same pattern, lie, length, etc.) It wears evenly, and doesn't favor the heel.

I'm coming to three possible conclusions on why this could be happening:

1) the carbon fiber weave type blade that I mentioned - could be contributing to it. Like I mentioned, there are certain types of blades that seem like they will last forever (mako being one of them). My other stick I was using is a two piece and I was using that blade for a long time. Same pattern (Hall) as this one. Even is this blade chips, I feel like its still going to last forever. Luckily I picked up another one from someone selling on here: but they are very hard to find now.

2) The rink I play at most of the time has terrible ice. Its an outdoor rink with a dome over it. It is zambonied regularly, but its super bumpy, and usually has huge chunks sticking up that sometimes either your stick or skates get stuck on. The closest thing I can compare it to is a pond that has been skated on a lot. When I went back to playing in a real ice rink after a few months of only playing on that, it was actually a tough transition because skating and puck handling on it was very different. The puck actually glides with close to no friction, so I ended up losing the puck a few times in my first game back.

3) Since I play outside - and I live in New England, the temperature just about every night is below freezing. I know this has to have some effect on wearing down sticks and making them brittle. You can even feel the difference when handling the puck - since its basically a frozen ice cube. So combine hard ass pucks with frozen sticks and I think this probably contributes to the stick wearing down.

Lemme know what you think about the rink/coldness issue. Im probably gonna go back to using the two piece with a wood blade when I play there if you guys think that's probably what's doing it. Kinda sucks as its a very different feel than composite. I actually puck handle better with wood, so I like sticking with composite so I can get used to the feel of it.

[BrondonZA 0]

Only problem with mine are that they get blunt faster on my heels , because when I edge or cross-over I dig my heels deeply into the ice

[SillyMe 22]

"The first thing that would come to mind is that I would need a lower lie - but Ive tried a lower lie, and it doesnt seem to be the problem"

Wouldn't you need a higher lie to get the heel off the ice?

I just started to put 1 strip of black tape along the bottom under my wrap(like I did as a kid), not for this reason so much, but to make the tape last longer- as the sharp edge of the stick isn't touching the outer tape.....seems to help, and it doesn't bother me one bit.

[louierev07 31]

Only problem with mine are that they get blunt faster on my heels , because when I edge or cross-over I dig my heels deeply into the ice

stick blade heels, not skates.

"The first thing that would come to mind is that I would need a lower lie - but Ive tried a lower lie, and it doesnt seem to be the problem"

Wouldn't you need a higher lie to get the heel off the ice?

I just started to put 1 strip of black tape along the bottom under my wrap(like I did as a kid), not for this reason so much, but to make the tape last longer- as the sharp edge of the stick isn't touching the outer tape.....seems to help, and it doesn't bother me one bit.

I recently started doing this and I think it helped. I used to use regular stick tape, but it would just wear out and there would be bald spots after 1 game. I tried clear tape, and that ended up coming off too easily. Best solution Ive used so far is electrical tape cut long ways. I can cut it into about a 10" strip and cut it into thirds width-wise. Ive also been using electrical tape to protect the toe as well. Then I just tape normally once the electrical tape is on there.