toe curves

[golfpuck 0]

i've seen a thread on the drury/kovalev curve, so why not on the toe curve?

as a forward i can see why you like the toe curve, any defencemen out there like the toe curve?

i really like the shannahan/mogilny/jagr (in order) curves. lot easier to get up in tight situations around the net. and you still have a flat part for the back hand.

the drury/kovalev is probably my second favorite style of pattern.

i cant seem to do anything with the modano.

[KnightII 0]

My personal preference:

When playing forward I really enjoy a decent mid or toe curve with a pretty good hook to it...nothing too drastic though (ie. Yzerman and there's something about the Sakic that doesn't work for me even though theorhetically it should be what I like). Toe curves really ease my use of toe drags, pull-ins, and helps me control the puck better on the tight forehand turns. They are excellent for those of us who like to dangle in the slot or next to the crease. Quick snappers, controlled backhands, and pinpoint wristers are easier for me with this type of curve. The CCM Recchi and Shanahan are useful to me...I'd love to try the new Bauer P92 when it comes out. My LHS has a Legwand PT3 nike blade that I think I'll pick up and try...in the hopes that it is the same pattern as the Bauer P92. I wouldn't mind trying the Inno retail Mogilny, McCarty, or Hull curves as well as the TPS Nash and Brendl/Sundin.

When on defence, I'd rather use more of a mid-heel or heel wedge...I need the open loft on the blade for my slapshots and long snappers, as long as it isn't too severe of a loft. I have had little luck with the Lidstrom and Drury (too open for me, cant stickhandle as well as I like when using them) but have enjoyed the P91 Kovalchuk from Bauer...seems that the loft and curve depth is about right for me.

Anyway, that's just my $0.02...

[Sid 3]

I find toe and mid curves have the best balance between stickhandling and shooting. If your follow through is good the puck will go where you want it.

Sid

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

any defencemen out there like the toe curve?

I'm a defenseman, and I prefer the toe curve.

Reasons? Obviously, all just a matter of personal preference. HOWEVER, if I had to try to verbalize?

I'd say it's for the following reasons:

* Larger "sweet spot" for slap shots from the point. Also, don't like heel curves because if in a rush to get the shot off, it'd go wide. If too open face, it'll go high. Etc. Sure, that's just a matter of getting used to a different curve perhaps, but that's what I have found.

* Better back hands - important when driving the defensive corner and need to get the puck up along the boards to the waiting winger in a hurry.

* Better ability to "scoop" the puck and give a pop fly out of the zone: for instance, defensive draw comes to you in the corner. With a toe curve, a quick flip of the wrist sends a 10ft tall pop fly to clear the zone. If I've worked it out for the center in advance, he often knows it's coming and will haul straight out of the zone to pick up the loose puck on the other side of the blue line. Good for quick breaks if done right (and I play in a adult, non-check beer league so he doesn't have to worry about getting flattened if the puck has too much hang time).

BUT, again, all just personal preference.

[notorious#29 0]

I do like toe's for getting the puck up and wrist shots.........other than that Id rather use my Modo or Sakic clones for stick-handling and shooting.

[jjtt99 0]

I use a CCM Recchi, which is a mid curve. Okay at everything but the master of none! Gee, just like my game.

epuck has a great information on blades and curves.

Go to

http://www.epuck.com

Then using the left navigation, select anything under the "Stick and Blades" section, then on the right side click on the "Blade Tool" tile.

JJ

[opus22 0]

i think toes are the way to go for forwards in general. if you look at every pure nhl shooter/scorer - they almost all use toe curves. i think it helps control around the net and in tight situations. personally, ive always been kind of a toe draggy top shelf (attempting, anyway) kind of forward - and ive always used them. for while now i havent had great options in composites - ive tried about all of them. shanny and yzerman are too high a lie for me - and i agree with the earlier poster about the sakic. i use it all the time, it should be the right one but something doesnt click. it doesnt feel right dragging it and im not comfotable on the backhand. i think it may be because its too open and too bent at the heel as well. i was hoping for a tapered blade - and the gaborik sounded good - i like the yzerman, just not at a 6...but they arent making it in a blade and im just not a 150 stick guy.

i found a v60 thorton that im trying in my game tonight, i that pattern looks kinda close to what im looking for, just a little too much hook. if im good with it ill get a higher quality version of it.

if the drury or the modano had a toe, i would love to use them - i dont mind them as is, but i need a toe around the net.

[Shorthanded67 0]

I strictly used an Easton Shanny forever up until about a year ago. Main reason being that it was hard to find a toe curve in other brands. Since then I've broadened my horizons to mid-ish curves such as Inno Mogilny, TPS Nash, Reebok Datsyuk, and now my Easton curve of choice is Sakic (which I used for the first time when I bought a Stealth since Shannys weren't available.)

I also liked the quick flick of a toe curve for roofing in close and the large sweetspot for slappers. But after adjusting you can pretty much do the same with a mid curve. My toe drags are better with the above mentioned mid curves but that's presumably due to the round toes versus the square Shanny.

R.I.P. Bananahan...we've been through a lot together.

[thenextone 0]

while on topic, anyone know what kind of curve the Jofa 8045 Henrik Sedin is?

if i could take a picture i would...id love to know what its equivelants are

[CaptainZbubble 0]

I play D and i use Hull's pro return. No special reason but im hooked. I love the toe curve cuz I can pick corners when coming down the slot, My money shot!!! :)

CaptainZbubble

[Chadd 916]

Lance Pitlick used a nice small toe, similar to the Propal pro curve, but smaller.

[Accord 0]

I use a CCM Recchi, which is a mid curve. Okay at everything but the master of none! Gee, just like my game.

epuck has a great information on blades and curves.

Go to

http://www.epuck.com

Then using the left navigation, select anything under the "Stick and Blades" section, then on the right side click on the "Blade Tool" tile.

JJ

I agree, EPuck's guide is awesome. I refer to it almost every single time I buy a new blade.

[#94 3]

I am a strict follower of the Heelwedgeism religion. (Drury)

I will never go back to any other type of curve.

[Cavs019 710]

What 94 said...

[Karly14 21]

ive alwyas been a toe curve guy, i used clark bauer blades forever, then bought a shipment of ronald petrovicky prostock ccm blades. They were really short and just had a huge toe curve. I now use sakic, nash etc and love them. Ive tried switching to modanos, drurys and lidstroms but it could never stick handle at my full potential. On a sidenote just to add to the thread, heres some players that iknow use big toe curves: jagr, mogo, havlat, hossa, elias, skyora, kovolchuk...thers more but i cant think of them right now

[#94 3]

And over 1/2 the NHL use heel wedges and, therefore, are members of my religion.

BTW, a lot of those guys' curves are not toes, but mids.

Thanks for playing.

[Karly14 21]

you're welcome for playing?

wich one those guys doesnt use toe curves? because ive held a pro stock of each guy i mentioned, except jagrs. im not discrediting heel curves its personal preference, i could name way more people that use a heel twist then i could a toe, i was just listing some players that i know use toe curves for a fact.

[Chadd 916]

Most of the Kovalchuks I've seen are big mids and I have mid-heel samsonovs.

[Karly14 21]

chadd, youre right about kovalchuk, theyre just like a big sakic, sort of a mid, sort of a toe, i didnt mention samsonov though

[Chadd 916]

chadd, youre right about kovalchuk, theyre just like a big sakic, sort of a mid, sort of a toe, i didnt mention samsonov though

My bad, it was in another topic. Primeau uses a fugly toe as well.

[Karly14 21]

prospals is sick too, i know its been discussed a lot

[mack 44]

So has Kovalchuk's and the Sykoras were more of a mid-heel.

Purist of the pure heel users here, even if I'm still trying Kovalchuk's banana.

[#94 3]

Yes, I oficially appoint Mack as the God of the Heelwedgeism religion.

Just because he was the original, and because he simply deserves it.

If anyone would like to join this sacred religious movement, let me know.

[troybruins89 0]

what are some good retail toe curves or a site where i could get a pro stock lefty toe...ive been using a shanny for awhile and it would be perfect if it had a little lower lie...but since the shanny is gonna be gone soon, from what i've been reading around here atleast, im gonna be screwed if i dont find another good pattern like the shanny with a lower lie..any ideas?

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

prospals is sick too, i know its been discussed a lot

Rafalski's (pro) is a little like Prospal's, just not as angular:

what are some good retail toe curves or a site where i could get a pro stock lefty toe...ive been using a shanny for awhile and it would be perfect if it had a little lower lie...but since the shanny is gonna be gone soon, from what i've been reading around here atleast, im gonna be screwed if i dont find another good pattern like the shanny with a lower lie..any ideas?

There are a lot of Shanny clones (Mission Cole, Bauer Gagne), and Inno has a few obscure Toe curves that vary by year.