BASE Hockey Sticks

[firebug]

Originally Posted by fotze

Novice? Holy crap. Did it help?

I'll post one of the videos - his improvement is quite astounding (and he's only halfway through).

Originally Posted by MattyC

This is something I'm not sure I agree with. I am definitely a supporter of using high-end sticks IF you have the capability/strength to utilize the technology behind them. I don't think any kid below the age of 13, possibly 14 depending on their size and skill, can really benefit from a $200 stick. When I worked at SportChek I would discourage parents from buying them for their tiny young children all the time. Its just not necessary.

Note that I said training - he doesn't have a BASE stick. All I was hoping to do is vouch for the quality of the local individuals doing the sizing and analysis.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by firebug

I'll post one of the videos - his improvement is quite astounding (and he's only halfway through).



Note that I said training - he doesn't have a BASE stick. All I was hoping to do is vouch for the quality of the local individuals doing the sizing and analysis.

Oh yes I know sorry I kind of passed over that. I didn't mean it to be directed at you, just a general opinion. The company itself has definitely been growing in popularity. I've been coaching batman for the last 4 years and the amount of kids on the team that use the sticks has been growing each year.

[FLAMESRULE]

I stopped by today to there shop in the Flames rink. I talked to one of the guys there...its $50 for a 1hr video analysis or $25 for a visual analysis (30-45min). They have a demo program so I grabbed the two different shafts they make and two different blades based on my current sticks. Will try them out tonight and see how I like them. One thing I noticed right away was the balance on them, they seem more balanced to the middle of the shaft instead of toward the blade. Also, one of the shafts has a grip I've never seen before, I think they call it "sharkskin" or something...

[blankall]

A bit off topic, but Sport Mart is closing down and having a 30% off sale. A lot of their items had already been reduced due to boxing day sales. Got an Easton EQ40 stick for $56. Not considered top of the line anymore, but a huge bargain for a player like me who isn't exactly an all-star.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by fotze

Cool.

Its alright. Dude doesn't take advice from anyone but himself though. Thinks he's all that.

[awildermode]

While equipment (technology) does help, technique is what you should work on. This applies to any sport or activity. It seems that Base is teaching and breaking down technique...while selling their 'magic' customized equipment

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

The light weight of the sticks makes a big difference to me

Thanks Monty...

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

I stopped by today to there shop in the Flames rink. I talked to one of the guys there...its $50 for a 1hr video analysis or $25 for a visual analysis (30-45min). They have a demo program so I grabbed the two different shafts they make and two different blades based on my current sticks. Will try them out tonight and see how I like them. One thing I noticed right away was the balance on them, they seem more balanced to the middle of the shaft instead of toward the blade. Also, one of the shafts has a grip I've never seen before, I think they call it "sharkskin" or something...

Which guy did you talk to? There were two of them there the day my kid did his fitting. Great guys, learned a ton about the hockey stick industry.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Which guy did you talk to? There were two of them there the day my kid did his fitting. Great guys, learned a ton about the hockey stick industry.

Carson was giving a video lesson to someone today and there was another guy there...name escapes me, blond guy, maybe 20/22.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Al Iafrate works for BASE. He did the fitting for a buddy of mine. My buddy has a lousy shot so I really can't use him to judge their sticks.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

I believe that Jeff Friesen is involved with this too.

He was in Edmonton last summer doing this.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

Originally Posted by blankall

A bit off topic, but Sport Mart is closing down and having a 30% off sale. A lot of their items had already been reduced due to boxing day sales. Got an Easton EQ40 stick for $56. Not considered top of the line anymore, but a huge bargain for a player like me who isn't exactly an all-star.

Got that exact stick for $15 when the Red Deer one closed. Actually going to use it for the first time tomorrow.

[puffnstuff]

Yeah Carson was one guy, the other one, his name escapes me atm, his father is a long time stick manufacturer I believe. Great kid.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Yeah Carson was one guy, the other one, his name escapes me atm, his father is a long time stick manufacturer I believe. Great kid.

Both of them seemed to really know what they were doing / talking about. I was overhearing Carson help the dude who was being videod.

I tried the sticks last night and the results were impressive (2G + 2A!!). The one shaft, the "Natural", was WAYYY too stiff for my liking, but the other one had a great puck feel. Also had a more natural flex point for me (bit higher) and a very nice balance to the stick. I'm going to give these guys a whirl and get fitted next week.

[Canehdianman]

Did anyone pull the trigger on these sticks and can provide a review?

I'm interested.

[FLAMESRULE]

I grabbed 2. I got a 1" extension to cut it down a touch (different lie). I really like them so far. Bit quicker release and just feels a bit more "natural". They have a different feel from Easton that takes a bit of getting used too. Not a bad thing, just different. Got custom colours, shaft grip, blade texture, etx (no difference in cost).

Took 3 weeks to get made and delivered. But customer service was really good, start to finish. Can see where the stick is in manufacturing and shipping etc. plus I can just order again with 2 mouse clicks.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Its alright. Dude doesn't take advice from anyone but himself though. Thinks he's all that.

So he is uncoachable, or a core group prospect for the flames?

[AR_Six]

Well my sticks usually cost from 100-120 or so, that's just what I'm willing to spend, but for this I might be willing to step up a level. I mean, who doesn't want to buy a stick from Cliff Ronning? That guy was AWESOME in NHL '94!

[Canehdianman]

Last weekend a buddy and I went down to Flames Community Arena and did the video analysis.

I had never really analyzed my stick choices before. I just bought what was on sale. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I ended up with quite a few $50-$80 mistakes.

Carson had us each try a multitude of blades and shafts. He captured a lot of shots on high-speed camera and showed us exactly what was happening as we shot, including why another blade (or shaft) would be a better choice for us.

After an hour each, we were set up with sticks that were MUCH better than what we were using initially. My wrist, snap and slapshots were all much better and more accurate. Even my passing was better.

Sticks were $169 for mine (Savoy Special shaft) and $179 for my buddy (the Natural shaft). Analysis is normally $50 each, but we got a deal at $35 total ($17.50 each).

I will have my stick in 2-3 weeks, at which point i'll try to post another review, but from the demo sticks we were using in the analysis, I will be impressed.

As an addendum, for any other tall players (I'm 6'4"), the BASE sticks are a godsend, because they can make your entire stick the proper length. It always bugged me that I was spending $100 on a graphite shaft, only to put 4" of pine in the end of it to make it the proper length.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

Last weekend a buddy and I went down to Flames Community Arena and did the video analysis.

I had never really analyzed my stick choices before. I just bought what was on sale. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I ended up with quite a few $50-$80 mistakes.

Carson had us each try a multitude of blades and shafts. He captured a lot of shots on high-speed camera and showed us exactly what was happening as we shot, including why another blade (or shaft) would be a better choice for us.

After an hour each, we were set up with sticks that were MUCH better than what we were using initially. My wrist, snap and slapshots were all much better and more accurate. Even my passing was better.

Sticks were $169 for mine (Savoy Special shaft) and $179 for my buddy (the Natural shaft). Analysis is normally $50 each, but we got a deal at $35 total ($17.50 each).

I will have my stick in 2-3 weeks, at which point i'll try to post another review, but from the demo sticks we were using in the analysis, I will be impressed.

As an addendum, for any other tall players (I'm 6'4"), the BASE sticks are a godsend, because they can make your entire stick the proper length. It always bugged me that I was spending $100 on a graphite shaft, only to put 4" of pine in the end of it to make it the proper length.

My experience mirrors this as well, albeit a little cheaper due to NCHL/BASE's summer promotion.

I'm really lanky and it's been close to a decade since I've found a stick that sat "right" on the ice. After trying out a ton of different blade and shaft combos, the analysis pinpointed the spot where I always pickup and/or release the puck, and I ended up with a stick that has a custom lie (different lie for each half of the blade), which has made a notable difference in my shot.

$150-175 is a lot to shell out for a stick, but it's worth it if you have anything "peculiar" about you - physically or playing style