Montreal Nitro 8500 OPS

[Accord 0]

How is the Montreal Nitro 8500 OPS? Feel, performance, durability, etc.

I love getting good deals and HockeyMonkey is selling them in their closeout section for $89. I did a search and also checked the reviews section, but didn't really find any information about them.

[dietzie27 0]

these have an oval shaped handle which i heard a blade cannot be put in them if the blade breaks. not 100% sure on that though.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

As I recall, the HANDLE wasn't oval shaped, but wasn't there an inner oval-shaped wall inside the rectangular shaft that was supposed to enhance performance in some fashion?

I seem to recall it being something more along those lines than the actual shape of the handle/shaft.

BUT... I could be wrong as well.

[Modo9 0]

The shaft shape is a traditional rectangle, the inside has an oval reinforcing base layer to improve durbaility. I called the manufacturer direct a year or so ago to try and get some specs on the stick (weight and what not, as the website has very little info) and the gentleman I spoke with said the stick weighs about 520 grams, the 8500 that is.

Seeing as the stick seems to always be at blow-out and close-out prices, and you never see them at the college level or above, I am going to say it is probably not the best performing stick compared to the myriad of great sticks available.

[asr 0]

I won a 8500, good stick. It is heavy, but the finish is grippy, good kick and 3 seasons on 'rec' hockey havnt really affected the graphics. Definitly hold up well. Overall i really like it, probably better then other sticks available for $89, but certainly not at the level of the $150+ sticks. Also, note that a lot of the closeout 8500 are last years models..diferent graphics. HIH

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

The shaft shape is a traditional rectangle, the inside has an oval reinforcing base layer to improve durbaility. 

Yep..... an INSIDE oval design (see pic):

got that from http://www.montrealhockey.com/old/bulletin...RW-RET-KULM.jpg

[hockey_player_11 0]

Seeing as the stick seems to always be at blow-out and close-out prices, and you never see them at the college level or above, I am going to say it is probably not the best performing stick compared to the myriad of great sticks available.

Actually, Ive seen it used in the AHL. When the roadrunners were still in Toronto, I went to one of their games and almost half the team used the nitro. The other half used vectors.

[Dan_The_Man_16 0]

Tony Salmelainen on the Oilers used one. I have a picture from a Rangers game, and hes in the backround holding one, it could be a Montreal Nirto though, but it is blue and black and says Montreal on it.

[#1STUD 0]

I used the stick and i liked it a lot. It did break on a pretty wicked slash though. I really like the finish, grip, and kick on it though. Overall i thought it was a really great stick for the 100 bucks i paid for it. I would have bought another one only my lhs doesnt have anymore.

[Keith 0]

Whem Markku reviewed it on corebeam, He more or less said it was a quality stick, but that it had more in common with a good, consistent wood than your standard ops.

[Accord 0]

Whem Markku reviewed it on corebeam, He more or less said it was a quality stick, but that it had more in common with a good, consistent wood than your standard ops.

Sounds like it would be perfect for me. Do you know where I can read that full review?

Thanks

[Keith 0]

Sorry.. Corebeam is long gone. He does post here occasionally so he might add some insight. I think his broke prematurely but it was an early one.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

A buddy of mine broke one first time using it, took it back to the store and broke the second one in his first game using that one too. Could be a bad batch or he was doing something the stick didn't like, I don't know.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Anyone have any hands-on experience with these? I got some that Numinen left behind in Dallas - seems pretty nice, actually. EXTRA long (70 inches standing on the toe to top of handle) - nice curve, slight polar-fibre like grip, good balance & flex. Haven't had a chance to use it on the ice yet.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Oddly... I got a medium (200) and Stiff (240) Nitro. The 240 feels a tad heavier and is more blade heavy. Anyone else ever notice other OPS like that? Perhaps they're just to different specs, but it would lead me to believe that to make it stiffer, they just stiffen the lower part of the OPS (in this brand) to stiffen it, throwing the balance off a bit.

Of course, could just be different batches I guess.

[inno4000 0]

these have an oval shaped handle which i heard a blade cannot be put in them if the blade breaks. not 100% sure on that though.

Is it right that you can’t replace the blade?

Any one did it?

Thanks

[Methane 0]

What is up with the necromancy? This was a 2 year dead thread.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

He's recycling, dude. No need in starting a new thread for something on the same or similarly related topic.

A lot of the 8500's are hitting clearance racks these days so perhaps this thread will start getting some hits.

[whbd18 0]

You can put a wood blade in by shaving the corners of it alittle. I put extensions in this way and they have held up fine.

[inno4000 0]

thank you

[Hockeydog 8]

The thread that never dies!!

Anyone have lie info on these sticks? I have a Nitro Lite Red with what I think is the SK pattern. Got at a a team equipment sale. It looks like a 5.5 or 6.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Anyone have lie info on these sticks?

My 8500 has lasted 25 years and I average 10 goals per game I use it...

(how's that for a lie?) :-)

[Rustpot 1]

Picked up a used one from a member here. I use it for the first time after sitting on it for quite a while. I love the way it feels. I think the flex is a bit stiff, but I was getting good lift on my wristers with the neutral faced blade.

The blade is different from most sticks, almost feels like ABS except stiff as steel. I wouldn't know it wasn't plastic if not the for price. Blade feels pretty dead too (not in feel, in passes). I can take a full speed pass with stiff hands and the puck will only jump a bit on me.

The finish isn't grippy, nor is it smooth. Definitely not like sandpaper as some people say unless we're talking 1000 grit. The whole stick is a matte finish and the dark blue shaft transitions to black at the taper and carries into the blade (meaning people don't need to paint the bottom 1/4 of the shaft).

Feels like cardboard and plastic in your hands but performs like a $150 stick on the ice.

I love it and I only paid $35. Definitely a nice look amongst all of the Easton, CCM and other flashy sticks at the rink.

[James 0]

Sorry to stray from the topic, but I think the Montreal gloves lok amazing.

[Keith 0]

I heard form one guy who has the newest montreal ops that it really performs fwiw.