prostockhockeysticks

[cougarscaptain87 13]

On 7/4/2025 at 9:09 AM, beerleaguecaptain said:

wish they had my curve in the VS!  Im gonna try a p90TM so that might change.

Not sure what you are coming from, I'm a p91 convert and I tried p29/92 and p28 didn't like either of them, tried the p90tm and I love that curve, I think I like it more than the p91. Still has as flat heel for backhand passes, still opens up if you want to send it to the moon you can, and the addition of the toe hook eliminated losing the puck when pulling wide laterally, and more control when moving backwards while stick handling. The max height is only a positive in my mind, I don't see where more blade is ever a bad thing. Give it a go, I was pleasantly surprised. 

[stick9 907]

On 6/23/2025 at 10:54 AM, stick9 said:

I went ahead and ordered a stock PRO VS with the McKinnon pattern from their inventory. I'm not a High Kick guy so the VS isn't really my thing but they had the McKinnon in stock so what the hell, right.

The stick arrived less than a week after placing the order. The fit an finish was perfect, not a mark or blemish to be found. The overall feel, weight, balance, shaft dimensions were almost spot on to my beloved FT5 Pros. The build appears to be very close to the FT5 Pro as well...see attached pics. The pattern is definitely not my thing. Passing is crazy good. Nice puck feel though shooting with it, not so much. Different pattern and kick point plays into that. Anyway, I was more interested in how it compared to what I was currently using. I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised. The VS didn't blow me away like the FT5 did but I was still very impressed with the performance especially given it's price point, $169USD. It's not all unicorns and show ponies for me. PRO only offers the pattern I'd like on customs and the OG lines, not the VS, VF or VX. And, they do not offer the VF, Hybrid kick point, as one of their custom builds. Argh..

 

Following up

A friend of mine really wanted to try one of these. Since he was ordering anyway, I decided to try a VF with the P92T pattern (closer to what I normally use). Well, I dont really like it. It looks nice and feels light and well balanced but there is just something about it I just don't like. Maybe its the lie...maybe its the hybrid kick point...? I suspect its the blade, not the pattern that I don't like.  

Anyway. My buddy skates up to me last night and shows his VF. There is a huge crack in the blade about an inch back from the toe. Looks like you could just snap the end of the blade off. He's used three times, which is about 3-4 hours of play time. Maybe its just one of those things. 

 

[A2rhino 79]

4 hours ago, stick9 said:

Following up

A friend of mine really wanted to try one of these. Since he was ordering anyway, I decided to try a VF with the P92T pattern (closer to what I normally use). Well, I dont really like it. It looks nice and feels light and well balanced but there is just something about it I just don't like. Maybe its the lie...maybe its the hybrid kick point...? I suspect its the blade, not the pattern that I don't like.  

Anyway. My buddy skates up to me last night and shows his VF. There is a huge crack in the blade about an inch back from the toe. Looks like you could just snap the end of the blade off. He's used three times, which is about 3-4 hours of play time. Maybe its just one of those things. 

 

I've been using these stick now for a few years. Not the VF but the PSHS Original back in the day RED LINE and currently the OG BLUE and VS. skating twice a week without ever having any issue with any cracks or broken blades. A few went soft as expected later on and I broke one at the center of the shaft, but honestly was testing to see just how much it could take. And it was a lot. 

I would guess his issue was a one off and I'm sorry to hear about that as I'm a HUGE FAN of these sticks. 

 

As for you, I would highly recommend the OG BLUE. Don't let the price fool you. These sticks are awesome!

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

On 7/19/2025 at 2:19 PM, cougarscaptain87 said:

Not sure what you are coming from, I'm a p91 convert and I tried p29/92 and p28 didn't like either of them, tried the p90tm and I love that curve, I think I like it more than the p91. Still has as flat heel for backhand passes, still opens up if you want to send it to the moon you can, and the addition of the toe hook eliminated losing the puck when pulling wide laterally, and more control when moving backwards while stick handling. The max height is only a positive in my mind, I don't see where more blade is ever a bad thing. Give it a go, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Just tried the p90TM - thought I'd love it but didnt.  That blade is quite open and I had a hard time keeping the puck on my stick.  

[Davideo 99]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:21 AM, start_today said:

Yeah, his description of both Malkin blades as being “very similar” to a p88 is bizarre. It simply isn’t, and that’s super obvious side by side, and I imagine leads to a lot of disappoint. It’s like the curve on the 712 starts more towards the toe enough that it changes your shooting mechanics. And yeah, for a lot of people who aren’t nerding out on this stuff “similar to a p88” is probably true, but he gets so in the weeds talking about he similarities and differences in other curves, it’s weird he’s lazy about that description. He also seems to kinda hate p88s as old fashioned, so maybe that’s it haha. 

I keep searching for the p88 variant that will make me happy and shoot harder and more accurate and be a more complete and the answer I keep coming back to is…….just the regular p88. There is absolutely 100% not a life lesson there and I refuse to learn anything, and will continue to spend money chasing the dragon. 

How would you describe the PRO71? I was a long time PM9 user growing up and then the last decade or so have been using a P88 as it's easier to lift the puck and sticking handling is slightly better. I was thinking of the trying the 71, but I am terrible at judging curves from pictures. I do know I don't like particularly open curves.

[A2rhino 79]

I personally believe that the only similarities between the P88 and the PRO71 is the the curves are both moderately closed and have a similar (not exact) blade shape.

The Pro71 is an aggressive toe curve and not a mid curve. It is also a slightly shorter blade. Will this curve help you shoot harder? Yes! But it is not a P88 with a slight toe curve. 

BTW, You can still get the P88 or the PM9 from this brand if you want. 

Hope this helps. 

Edited Friday at 02:21 PM by A2rhino

[start_today 781]

10 hours ago, Davideo said:

How would you describe the PRO71?

I haven’t used the actual 71, only the 712, which is a variant on the 712. The PRO website says the 712 is longer and taller compared to the 71. I think A2rhinos description is pretty good. The 712 is not open, so I assume the 71 isn’t.

Because it’s a toe curve, in this case, longer means it’s got more blade before the curve, so you have more space to work on the back hand. For me, this also means there’s more flat space on the forehand, which gives me more blade to control the puck, but also a bigger area I don’t want to shoot from. 

The pm9 plays from the heel and mid blade. 71 shoots from the toe. And you can pass off the heel/mid area, but if it rolls into the toe, passes can get messy (for me, anyway). 71 is more modern drag snap shot mechanics, pm9 is more traditional shooting mechanics. 

Davideo, sent you a DM.

[A2rhino 79]

2 minutes ago, start_today said:

I haven’t used the actual 71, only the 712, which is a variant on the 712. The PRO website says the 712 is longer and taller compared to the 71. I think A2rhinos description is pretty good. The 712 is not open, so I assume the 71 isn’t.

Because it’s a toe curve, in this case, longer means it’s got more blade before the curve, so you have more space to work on the back hand. For me, this also means there’s more flat space on the forehand, which gives me more blade to control the puck, but also a bigger area I don’t want to shoot from. 

The pm9 plays from the heel and mid blade. 71 shoots from the toe. And you can pass off the heel/mid area, but if it rolls into the toe, passes can get messy (for me, anyway). 71 is more modern drag snap shot mechanics, pm9 is more traditional shooting mechanics. 

Davideo, sent you a DM.

Perfectly well said and I concur!!

I wasn't the biggest fan of the P71 but really liked the PRO9271. Today I'm actually in my perfect curve (for now) the PRO9246. 

[Davideo 99]

Excellent, thank you. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. The few minutes I've messed around with toe curves I didn't like them, but it could also be I'm not used to how much they open up. I briefly used a P92 the other day and it just felt like I was using a pitching wedge.  But I also know that my shot is a relatively weak aspect of my game and spending some time with a toe curve might be worth a try. Do you think a P71 would be better fit than just a P92? I think I can adjust to more modern shot mechanics more easily than an open face.

 

Edited Friday at 07:19 PM by Davideo