BASE Nasty

[flyers10 57]

Background:

6’1 / 180 lbs / Shoot left / Play wing & occasional D

Play 3-4 times week in a C/B organized pickup game

Recent sticks used past year:

Bauer APX2 77 flex Backstrom

Reebok Ribcore 85 flex Bergeron

Warrior Widow 85 flex Gionta

Stick being reviewed:

• BASE Nasty (80 flex, BC28 curve) Used for past 4 months.

Aesthetics: The paint job is clean, primarily black with red Nasty writing on it. I believe you can order the Nasty writing in blue or orange now too.

Blade 10/10

The BC28 curve is Base's version of the Kreps. I had no trouble using it for first time coming from the Gionta and Backstrom. For me the curve works fantastic as the lie 5 benefits my stance and am able to get off solid shots of all kinds where my slapper struggled with the Gionta and Backstrom. The blade has a sharkskin coating texture on it. Tape adheres well and maybe that coating adds a bit of cushioning. I love the puck feel on it. The blade isn't as thin as on my APX or Ribcore and has a softer feel to it. I hate pingy blades and this feels to me more like a One95 blade feel. I find it easy to stick handle on the heel and be ready to fire away. The blade itself has held up well, no chips or cracks.

Shaft/Flex 9.5/10

I went with an 80 flex as I like to take primarily snap and wrist shots. Base offers several flexes and shaft textures to choose from along with many blade patterns. I found the stick to be pretty true to the flex rating. Perfect balance between a 75/77 and 85/87. I get into some board battles so might try an 85 flex for my next one. 4 months of regular use and still has great pop in it. I went with the powder matte grip. The grip kinda feels like a velvet grip on the matte. If you want a tackier grip feel I'd get the clear grip but clear may chip easier.

Stickhandling/receiving passes 9.5/10

The blade provides nice cushion and is not pingy. I could not stand the Ribcore stiff pingy blade but loved this. I don't have the softest hands and this blade helps me control passes easier and gives good feedback on where the puck is.

Shooting 10/10

Right out of the box I felt like I was firing rockets. With the BC28 curve it is easy for a shot to rise quick but have adjusted to it now. I liked my APX2 for shooting but the Nasty just feels a step better. Shots are crisp off the blade with a nice solid feel. The stick gives a feel like it will be forgiving if your form isn't perfect and still give you a solid shot.

Weight and balance 9/10

Fairly light stick. Not as light as the APX2 or Ribcore but still top end stick weight range. Balance is solid so on ice I don't notice it being a bit heavier then some others.

Durability 10/10

So far I have gotten slashes, slapshots deflected off the shaft and the shaft looks great. My APX2 (grip) has the paint chipping off everywhere contact occurred; not with the Nasty. As mentioned above, the blade is solid and no signs of chipping. I'm surprised at how well cosmetically it looks after 4 months. One cool feature is the lower part of the shaft has polarfibre texture and seems to help cosmetics in that area. I'm not hard on my sticks from a breaking perspective but so far no signs of weakness in the shaft or blade areas.

Intangibles N/A

One of the cool things with BASE sticks is the ability to choose from many flexes, shaft textures, shaft lengths and blade patterns. Can even have your name and number put on it. All for about $65 less than major name brand top end sticks.

Conclusion (58/60 = 97%)

I was pleasantly surprised by the Nasty and will be ordering another one. It is a great performing stick for the price especially knowing you can truly order the flex,blade,texture that you want.