difference between an open and closed blade?

[Zjack38 46]

No ones really ever told me what the difference was, so I'm just wondering, what is the difference between an open and closed blade?

[Chadd 916]

An open blade has more loft than a "closed" blade. I don't like the term "closed" as (to me) it implies that the face points down to the ice and there is no curve like that at retail as far as I am aware. I prefer the term "neutral" when talking about blades that have no loft.

[mc88 160]

To keep it simple: The more open the toe is the easier/quicker it is to lift the puck. The more closed a toe is the easier it is to keep the puck on/closer to the ice.

[KoT 2]

Open blades for more agressive stance - more power on shot. Loft is it for stance and preference...

[SillyMe 22]

Think of golf clubs, a (closed)blade would be like a 1 iron with very little loft, and an "open" blade would be a higher club like a 3-5 iron, with a little more loft (helps getting puck up).

It's obviously not a perfect comparison, but a visual cue that anyone that golfs would understand.

I also don't like the "closed" description.

[swineanddine 2]

Also note that a closed face will not prevent you from lifting the puck if you have good technique.

[SirJW 207]

Also note that a closed face will not prevent you from lifting the puck if you have good technique.

This, I'm hesitant to try an open toe as that I have trouble keeping my shot low w/ a closed blade...

[chapel 20]

Also note that a closed face will not prevent you from lifting the puck if you have good technique.

*cough* Coffey *cough*

[Chadd 916]

Also note that a closed face will not prevent you from lifting the puck if you have good technique

Three factors in a stick or blade will help you lift the puck; Loft, curve depth or a lighter stick flex.

[Cosmic 178]

I went from Kopitar (open) to Kovalchuk (closed). For whatever reason, my shot technique lends itself to making pucks rise. So, the Kopitar had me shooting high all the time. So, I could do one of two things- address my shot technique, or change to Kovalchuk (or similar closed face like Iginla, Burrows, etc.). Since changing to Kovalchuk, I never miss the net high anymore. When I want to lift the puck, I can, because of my motion and I just know how to wedge my blade face to lift the puck. Because I use two piece setups, it is less expensive for me to tinker with these things, than had I just bought a $300 stick with the "wrong" curve.

[fcalog 58]

The blade face angle refers to the angle of the blade from the bottom to the top of the blade. If you can see a lot of the front of the blade when looking straight down from the top of the handle, it is an “open face” or open angle. If you don’t see the front face of the blade it has a closed face. What either do has been addressed by the above posters.