Hockey stick flex and curve... what's you preference? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

COGENT · 07-08-2010, 10:41 AM

I have been trying different flexes and curves at Pro Hockey Life and found that a 87 flex with a P88 (Bauer) curve is best suited for me. Made me curious what other people prefer.

So, what do you like?

La Flames Fan · 07-08-2010, 10:58 AM

There can only be one.

Paul Coffey
5030

NBC · 07-08-2010, 10:59 AM

I have yet to delve into the one-piece stick market, so my preferences are a bit dated.

I preferred a stiff flex 95+ with a heel-curve, open face, square blade. Christian used to make the perfect blade for me, I think it was a Brett Hull pattern. The closest design I could (quickly) find online is the MC pattern here. Great pattern for shooters. Plus I also liked a fairly weighty hockey stick. Lighter models just didn't feel right.

COGENT · 07-08-2010, 11:09 AM

You don't see the square blades as much anymore. I know there are few NHL guys (Getzlaf) that still use them but not many. I wonder why that is?

FlamesKickAss · 07-08-2010, 11:11 AM

i find a 87 flex feels too flimsy for me. I try to find ones around 100.

Bill Bumface · 07-08-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by La Flames Fan

There can only be one.

Paul Coffey
5030

Haha, so you never use your backhand hey? I always wanted to measure the Coffey curve to see if it's anywhere near legal. I used to use it all the time too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COGENT

You don't see the square blades as much anymore. I know there are few NHL guys (Getzlaf) that still use them but not many. I wonder why that is?

I think because they are fairly useless. There is maybe 1% of pucks that would skip by a rounded blade on the boards that a square blade would grab.

Azure · 07-08-2010, 11:18 AM

100 flex.

Rebook used to make a stick that I loved. Sadly I could only find one, and broke that one a few months into the season.

COGENT · 07-08-2010, 11:28 AM

My last stick had a Gagne curve on it and I did everything I could for it not to go two feet over the net in the top right corner (I'm a lefty). So annoying.

nickerjones · 07-08-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COGENT

You don't see the square blades as much anymore. I know there are few NHL guys (Getzlaf) that still use them but not many. I wonder why that is?

My buddy has a jovanoski in warrior with a square face... Jovo has since been replaced in warriors lineup but I am sure there are still plenty of squares out there.

Azure · 07-08-2010, 11:39 AM

Canadian Tire has the square stick. Pretty cheap though.

dubc80 · 07-08-2010, 11:40 AM

The Lidstrom Easton pattern is a square blade.

jayswin · 07-08-2010, 11:59 AM

The absolute best curve you could ever get is the P88/Kane/Datsyuk (they're all the same). I just bought a Bauer Vapour something-or-rather, Kane curve, 100 flex, and it's the best stick I've ever owned. It was only like $200, too.

One thing I'll never understand is how anyone can use anything under 100 flex. I've tried sticks that are 85ish, and when I go to take a slapshot, the thing flexes so far that the puck goes about 5 feet to the right of where my body is lined up to shoot. I can't understand how anyone would want anything but the stiffest flex possible?

puckluck · 07-08-2010, 12:02 PM

Whatever curve looks nice. I've never really looked at the curve numbers, but maybe I should start!

Northendzone · 07-08-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

It was only like $200, too.

lol @ "only" & "$200".

I usually prefer a nice mid-curve with a square toe; however, my BIL supplied me with a couple of Eastons with the round toe and the curve where the top of the blade is a little more open. sure seems easier to get the pucks up in the air, but my teammates still say I am crappy.......

personally i prefer sticks that are a little whippier, but i am a fat tub of goo so i can't go super low. It would be fun one day to experiment with a bunch of twigs (the shooting gallery at Pro Hockey is not the same).

Reaper · 07-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Just to clarify for everyone: Blade patterns found at the retail level bearing the name of a hockey player are not those used by said player. The name is simply on the pattern for marketing purposes.

Easton Lidstrom = Easton Getzlaf = Warrior Jovanovski = Warrior Lidstrom

MJM · 07-08-2010, 12:19 PM

Staal 110 heel curve. Love it.

RockOnRoberts · 07-08-2010, 12:19 PM

The Reebok O-stick with a Datsyuk curve is insane. That, combined with the CCM Octogun Ovechkin Curve and the Warrior Dolomite DD with a Kovalev are my favorite sticks in no particular order.

Reaper · 07-08-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

One thing I'll never understand is how anyone can use anything under 100 flex. I've tried sticks that are 85ish, and when I go to take a slapshot, the thing flexes so far that the puck goes about 5 feet to the right of where my body is lined up to shoot. I can't understand how anyone would want anything but the stiffest flex possible?

It's all about technique. I use a 75 flex stick because I like to let the stick do the work. The lower flex is better for snap and wrist shots as I can load the stick with minimal effort.

For all those people who blame the blade pattern for the puck being shot high I suggest you examine your technique. If your shot is going higher than you want try rolling your wrists over in your follow through. This closes the blade more and helps keep the puck lower.

jayswin · 07-08-2010, 12:26 PM

[QUOTE]It's all about technique. I use a 75 flex stick because I like to let the stick do the work. The lower flex is better for snap and wrist shots as I can load the stick with minimal effort.[QUOTE]

Well I used slapshot as an example. But really, any shot I take with a stick under 100 flex doesn't work. No matter what I'm attempting, the stick noodles up and takes away all the power before the puck releases.

Where as a nice stiff stick just powers the puck at the net, I guess because I'm making the power come from my arms instead making the stick do the work? I'm not sure, I guess everyone's different.

nickerjones · 07-08-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

It's all about technique. I use a 75 flex stick because I like to let the stick do the work. The lower flex is better for snap and wrist shots as I can load the stick with minimal effort.

For all those people who blame the blade pattern for the puck being shot high I suggest you examine your technique. If your shot is going higher than you want try rolling your wrists over in your follow through. This closes the blade more and helps keep the puck lower.

I believe phil kessel uses 77 flex stick ... I always thought 75 and under was intermediate...

Flameswin 200 for a stick? why didnt you contact me I could have gotten ya one at a better price