Hockey stick debate...

wood or composite.and why,,,
also what type of stick do you use?

Wood.I use a $27 Sherwood with a Crosby curve. I would buy a $100 composite as it would last me longer than 3-4 woodies but I don't wanna be the guy with the awesome equipment who cant play for his life.

I've had:

Synergy Grip, 110 flex, Shanahan curve. LOVED IT.
Mission M-1, 100flex, Gaborik Curve. LOVED IT.

Currently am using my Easton Grip Lite shaft, with a Carbon Shanahan blade in and love it.

Basically, I won't go back to a wood stick. In my last year of minor hockey, or 2nd to last year I suppose it was, I used wood sticks, and they kept breaking. I'd get a game, max. Then I switched over to to a composite shaft/blade combo and loved it. Absolutely loved it.

The blades are generally cheaper than a wooden stick costs, and I figured, when I've got my 1 piece and it snaps, usually the blade breaks, or it's down in the bottom of the shaft where the break occurs, then I can use it for a shaft/blade combo afterwards too. So it's basically 2 sticks.

I got 2 and half years out of my Synergy Grip and 10 months out of the Mission. This is the 2nd Grip Lite that I've had, and it's a great shaft as well.

I refuse to swtich off from my Graf 5500 with G3 curve. It is easily the best stick I've ever used, and has been quite durable too. I think I'm on game 20 with it or so, which isn't bad for a wooden stick.

I've talked to a Graf rep here in Calgary (played in the 3-on-3 tournament held at the Olympic Oval here over the course of the summer) and apparently they've got a G3 curve on a one piece, so I might have to check that out.

I tried playing one game with one of his Grafs, but aside from being lighter, it wasn't received well by me. Shot about the same, with less accuracy. I'm thinking it might have to do with the fact I wasn't used to the curve though.

Both!

I have a Louisville Tri-core that I love. It feels like wood, and is as stiff as iron.

Wood blade of course. :D

I dont have any true preference. I'm not a pro, so im not picky. I use Bauer XX, Mission M-1 for composite. I also have Easton Cyclone and Typhoon shafts and a Vector 110 shaft all composite. The shafts give good flexibilities with blades being composite or wood, I prefer a wood blade.

I had a wood stick and i heated and bent my own curve into the blade (almost flat but with a slight curve, it worked well for me).

Oh it was Sherwood.

I just recently switched to a Louisville Response Plus composite (Nash curve) from an Easton Cyclone. I had two reasons to do it with great caution. First, like a previous poster mentioned, I didn't want to be this guy with a 150 buck stick and a 10 cent game. Second I didn't want to get used to that stick and have it break on me. We all saw how in the NHL during last year's playoffs all the one pieces were falling apart on everyone it seemed. After about two month of use I couldn't be any happier. This stick is super lite and I can feel a big time difference in my slapshot. I would definitely get another one (even if I had to save for it).

It depends where I am playing. When I am playing wing, I like my two-piece composite. It's lightness makes it easier for me to ATTEMPT to make fancy moves.
...but on defence I need something with a bit of weight. I use my trusty Sher-Wood PMPX 9950 (fiberglass) What a fantastic stick…I don't know how many guys I've roughed up in front of the net with one of those beautys...

I just switched from using wood Bauer 300s to the new Easton Octane shaft with a wood blade. The jury is still out. I've only played 1 game with the composite.

i really like the easton fiber-lite stick with the sakic curve. easily the best stick ive ever used... altho if i had the cash maybe id get something more pricey ;)

Use a z-bubble (100 flex) with a Sakic curve. Though I dont like the new blue ones near as much as I liked the green ones I used to have. Probably going to try a CCM Vector 1 piece though as Sport Chek is supposedly going to be selling them for $85 this week and my juny b team is too cheap to get me anything otehr than wooden sher woods that i cant stand. I doubt I will ever go back to wooden sticks.

Bauer Vapor 8 composite shaft with an Easton composite blade...then my backup's a heavy as hell Nike Ignite alumninum (4?) with an Easton ABS blade.

ive used about everything, and im positive wood just has way better feel. i also ref a lot and can say from what ive seen that one-pieces are actually a negative in young players. i dont think they really learn to shoot well, and have trouble with tough passes. sometimes i think the pros have the same problem. i think the biggest problem is that people have trouble finding a good pattern for themselves and then stick with it. if you buy a 50 dollar blade, your using it whether your good with it or not - which obviously isnt great for your game. people dont know what lie they should use anymore, or know what kind of curve they should use - and its awful expensive to figure it out with composite. no doubt for some people composite stuff lasts longer and is worth it if you like what you get.
im 6'4" 215 so even though i love wood - ive often used a shaft and composite blade just because i had to. i play both ice and roller - andright now i use a sherwood 9950 (leclair) for ice. i use a innovative novious shaft for roller (sweet shaft) with a modano focus flex. i might try a hybrid easton modano stick for roller - ilke the feel a lot better, but obviously it will only last me a couple of games. i think wood wears down quicker in roller than ice, weird huh?

I liked wood sticks better than composite, until I switched to a Synergy, then I had a total swing. Now I use composite, and have a XN10. However, I still do like the old CCM Vectors. (I believe Riku Hahl used them at one point?)

I have three one piece graphite Harrow sticks. They are regular $160, but I snagged all of mine for $30 a piece. I have two 75 flex, and one 95 flex. You probably haven't heard of them.

Go to www.harrowsports.com

Change country to Canada.

Go to Men's Hockey on the main page, and click on graphite sticks.

Go to the V.3 Senior One-Piece, and there's my stick, or just click on this link.

http://www.harrowsports.ca/Zing.asp?Item=8585&Group=239&Type=34&Cat=29

I have three one piece graphite Harrow sticks. They are regular $160, but I snagged all of mine for $30 a piece. I have two 75 flex, and one 95 flex. You probably haven't heard of them.

Go to www.harrowsports.com

Change country to Canada.

Go to Men's Hockey on the main page, and click on graphite sticks.

Go to the V.3 Senior One-Piece, and there's my stick, or just click on this link.

http://www.harrowsports.ca/Zing.asp?Item=8585&Group=239&Type=34&Cat=29
actually, they are based here in colorado and everyone around here has them - especially roller players. i have met the owner a couple of times from working at rinks. he'll make your pattern in a wood blade for you. they bought the christian factory - anything you see thats new from christian is actually harrow.

i also ref a lot and can say from what ive seen that one-pieces are actually a negative in young players. i dont think they really learn to shoot well, and have trouble with tough passes.

I think there is a lot of truth to that. Shooting, passing, and stickhandling are fundemental skills and it is my feeling that they should be learned without cutting corners.

I really like the Easton Synergy (100 flex) Modano pattern. I just love the way the puck effortlessly rockets off your stick even if your shot mechanics arn't perfect. I like my stick a little bit on the long side (i'm pretty short) so I have extended reach and can more elusively cover passing lanes.

If my Synergy wasn't a present I probably wouldn't be using one. I could probably get half a dozen really nice wood sticks for the price of my Synergy. (I like the Sher-wood LeClair pattern.) But so far it has been pretty durable. It has lasted for several months.

totally agree with the 1-piece sticks being a negative thing for young players, or just players that don't generally know how to shoot the puck properly.

I work at sportchek, and am on comission, but I've told parents who think it'll help their kids become amazingly wonderful players, that unless they can already shoot properly..and unless they can actually use the flex in their stick to their advantage...then there is very little that a shaft and blade or wooden stick won't do for you that a 1 piece will...I even tell them on comission PRIOR to giving them that speil too...I tell them of my hockey experience etc...what I use, and have used...and then basically tell them it's their decision, but I'd advice against it until they can shoot properly!

I have a TPS Red Lite shaft and I love it as well. I've had it for a year now, and I'm still using it. The name says it all, it's so light compared to most other shafts and it's great.

Im using a Easton Lidstrom curve (those kind of curves are the best IMO) and I've had no real problems with it.

I am still using a Sherwood PMP 5030. 25 years and counting. (Guy Lafleur and Ray Bourque. Tough to argue.) Although when I want a really light stick, I get a 7000 series.

From everything I have used up to this point the Innovative sticks seem to be the best suited for me. I have used Easton, Mission, TPS, Bauer, and several other kinds. To me none really match the durability and performance that the Innovative 1100 has.

As far as wood goes, hey, if you like it, use it, but I generally reccomend that all kids either use a wood stick, or a shaft with a wood blade. Composite blades for kids are a waste.

I am still using a Sherwood PMP 5030. 25 years and counting. (Guy Lafleur and Ray Bourque. Tough to argue.) Although when I want a really light stick, I get a 7000 series.
i like the 7000 the best off the rack - but being a big guy i go through them too quick, so i use the 9950 leclair. its a little too stiff but it lasts longer. i agree with frisbee though - innovative makes a great shaft. my novius has been my favorite shaft when i use one - its alittle less grippy than an easton grip, with better feel and flex.

totally agree with the 1-piece sticks being a negative thing for young players, or just players that don't generally know how to shoot the puck properly.

I work at sportchek, and am on comission, but I've told parents who think it'll help their kids become amazingly wonderful players, that unless they can already shoot properly..and unless they can actually use the flex in their stick to their advantage...then there is very little that a shaft and blade or wooden stick won't do for you that a 1 piece will...I even tell them on comission PRIOR to giving them that speil too...I tell them of my hockey experience etc...what I use, and have used...and then basically tell them it's their decision, but I'd advice against it until they can shoot properly!

As someone who can hit the 90's with their shot I would have to agree: teach the kids how to shoot the right way and it dosen't matter what stick they are using: if you want a better snap or wrist shot go with the compsite though!!!

actually, they are based here in colorado and everyone around here has them - especially roller players. i have met the owner a couple of times from working at rinks. he'll make your pattern in a wood blade for you. they bought the christian factory - anything you see thats new from christian is actually harrow.

That's cool, I had no idea. Do you personally like them? I think it's the best total of $90 I've ever spent, they're really nice sticks.

I use a louisville Tricore with a Nike appollo 0004 blade.. and love it.

wood or composite.and why,,,
also what type of stick do you use?

I've used a composite before, and it's tough to get a feel for the puck in my mind. Recieving a pass isn't nearly as simple as a wood stick, but over time I did get used to it, took me an hour or so to get the 'hang' of it.

I mostly use wood sticks. I recommend the CCM Vector stick, it's good, got some decent whip to it, easy to handle, good overall stick.

I use wood sticks basically because of the cost.

That's cool, I had no idea. Do you personally like them? I think it's the best total of $90 I've ever spent, they're really nice sticks.
i liked the ones ive tried. im gonna get one soon, since they're local they half sponsor (give sticks at cost) a couple of the roller teams i ref and know - ill get one of their onepieces for about half price. they base most their patterns of easton so ill probably try the modano, which i like anyways. i always thought of them as roller sticks, but ive seen some people use them recently on ice and they liked them. ill try it out when i get one - they dont look especially durable. how long have you had yours? if i can get them cheap and i like them ill probably keep using them.

I've had mine for aprroximately 2 months. No problems yet. Modano has a version? I had no idea, I might have got that one if I'd known. :dunno:

I've had:

2 Easton "Gold" Grip Synergy from like 2001. Great great stick, 110 flex.
Easton Synergy Si-Core- nice stick, broke after 4 months
Bauer Vapor XX- using it now, scored a hat trick this morning with it, great great stick
Easton Stealth- got on when it first came out and it is so ridiculously light but broke on the last day of the warranty so I sent it back and it's with easton right now

I prefer the Vapor XX to all the sticks there, although the Si-Core was great and the stealth is good, but it feels flimsy and therefore IMO is not great on one timers unless you have EXTREMELY strong wrists.

Composite all the way. Bauer Vapor XXX will be the next stick I buy but that may not be for 6 months or so.

Hmmm, ive used almost every type of stick from the aluminums to the wood and the One Piece sticks..

Wood Sticks tend to break fast, not so much the shaft but the blade wears down real quick.

Composite Shafts like the Ultralite are great sticks but again buying a blade every 2 weeks gets annoying and pricey since a regular wood blade cost about 20 bucks and if you go through 7 blades a season, thats already more than $140 bucks.

One Piece Sticks i think are the best sticks, one the blade lasts you for a good 3/4 of the season, two the stick is light and usually doesnt wear down too quick and lastly you can buy a solid one piece stick now at about $100 as opposed to buying a wood stick where you will have to replace it every so often as it breaks.

I've had 3 One Piece Sticks now in the past 2-3 years and my favourite out of the Original TPS, Easton Synergy Grip(Gold) and the TPS Rubber has to be the Easton Synergy, its a great buy.

I've had mine for aprroximately 2 months. No problems yet. Modano has a version? I had no idea, I might have got that one if I'd known. :dunno:
the modano isnt called that - its called the heel curve 3/8ths or something like that. if your at a store - just grab a easton modano and compare it, it will be pretty obvious.

Right now for goal sticks I use a Bauer 7000 Cujo pattern. My backup is a Sher Wood 9950 Thibault pattern. Both are foam injected sticks. These have lasted me a lot longer than any wood stick I've used. They also seem lighter to me.

Wood is the only way to go. Composite blades have little "feel" to them, and make it very difficult to catch a pass, shoot, pass, stickhandle, etc. But they look good, I guess, to some people!

I currently use Sher-Wood PMP 5030's, because they last about 15 games or so, and cost $22 American (if you know where to shop!). Compared to a one-piece stick at $190 that will break inside of one season. I play 4 times a week, so a one-piece wouldn't be very worthwhile. I can buy 8 wood sticks for the same price, but 8 wood sticks will last me almost 2 seasons, PLUS they are better for playing defense (blocking shots, whacking at the puck, etc.). I also have a 2-piece aluminum/graphite shaft, but don't really like it much. It's WAAAYYY too much bother having to change blades that often, because they break quicker than a wood stick does, and blades cost the same ($21), plus you have to buy and carry a heat gun in your bag, etc.

I also have a new Christian Bros. wood stick that feels AWESOME. I will use it in a game for the first time next week. But I grew up with Christian sticks, and love them.

I also have a new Christian Bros. wood stick that feels AWESOME. I will use it in a game for the first time next week. But I grew up with Christian sticks, and love them.
thats actually a harrow stick - they bought christian a year ago.

I use a Bauer Peca model wood and a Branches stick. Right now I'm not in a league, and rarely get to open hockey. I just shoot around once a week when I coach.

I'm sticking with wood for now because I'm broke. I've borrowed some of my player's comp sticks in practice though. I agree with the statement made that it;s harder to get a feel of the puck.


I try and get my players to use a wood stick. I've noticed that some kid's can lift it easier and it's harder for them to play with their stick on the ice.

Composite sticks are a lot better and they make a noticable difference in the shot, people who say wood are better probably haven't even tried composite yet. I started with a tps response but it snapped after 5 months, I then bought a vector v110 and it is great nad has lasted me over a year and a half and gives me a great shot. I am thinking of getting a new stick and I'm considering the vapor xx or waiting for vapor xxx but that would cost too much. What stick should I get now?

I've generally been using one-piece sticks as of late.

However, after my last one broke, I decided to go a different route.

The last 3 one-pieces I had all broke somewhere on the blade. So just cut the blade portion off and BAM!...you have a shaft. Now I have 3 perfectly fine shafts that I am going to be putting blades in.

I've done this in the past and it works well. You can't even tell that the shaft is a broken one-peice.

The few times I am on ice I don't really need a stick. Usually use a 20-years old Koho that is great for slapshots and slashing.

I've never used a Vapor XX, I'd be hella scared to make plays with a stick so expensive.

Right now I got a Vapor 6 shaft, and its the first composite that I've used. I'll probably never go back to wood, after experiencing a composite. I want to try a one piece though, and SportChek has the CCM Vector 10s for 79.99 CDN, not a bad price at all (at least for a one piece... Still pricey for a stick in general :madfire: )

I've been using an Easton "Typhoon" Composite for the last year, and I absolutely love it. I've been using Easton Aluminum shafts since I was about 12, and I finally switched to a SR shaft last year. I definately wouldn't go back to wood.

I play ball hockey and I play left wing, I usually stickhandle a lot. I can't use a wood stick i usually use Composite Nike or Easton, I find it very light and easier to stick handle with it. My shot also is better with a composite.

thats actually a harrow stick - they bought christian a year ago.

Technically, but since the name ON the stick is Christian, and it's built by A Christian (Rick), I call it a "Christian Bros." stick. :D

and it's built by A Christian (Rick), I call it a "Christian Bros." stick. :D
Did Jesus die on the cross of two of those sticks?

I have an Easton cyclone with a wooden blade. Its a Recchi pattern. Its lasted me over a year but then again I'm very light (5'7" 140lbs). It would take a lot for me to break it, but my shot is just as hard as everyone else's.

I just got a vector a week ago and I have to say it is amazing!

I'd have to say the same thing about my Vapor XX I bought a week ago. It's thinner and feels better than the original Vapor XX's. It's Lindros right handed Pro Stiff 112 flex. It's awesome. I have no idea why Bauer would even bother coming out with a Vapor XXX.

I'd have to say the same thing about my Vapor XX I bought a week ago. It's thinner and feels better than the original Vapor XX's. It's Lindros right handed Pro Stiff 112 flex. It's awesome. I have no idea why Bauer would even bother coming out with a Vapor XXX.

Marketability. Revenue. Lack of R+D. Laziness.