The blade is the part of the hockey stick that makes contact with the puck. In the past, hockey sticks were made of wood, but advances in technology have allowed manufacturers to design sticks using composite materials, such as aluminum, Kevlar, fiberglass, graphite, titanium and others. The advantage of using composite materials is greater strength and lower weight.
Function
Many composite hockey sticks have replaceable blades, meaning players can switch out worn blades for new ones. Replacement blades vary in their construction. Some are made of a single material, while others are hybrids of wood and a composite material. Some blades require blowtorching to fuse the blade onto the stick. Other sticks allow you to insert new blades into the shaft.
Effects
Most hockey blades are wood. The chief advantage of a wood blade is its customizability. Some blades have a wood core and a composite surrounding, such as Kevlar. This provides strength and flexibility to the blade, which typically means you can replace the blade less often.
Customization
Though manufacturers spend much time and effort designing hockey sticks for maximum performance, many players still customize their blades to suit their particular game style. For example, some NHL players modify their hockey blades with blowtorches, saws, sandpaper and other finishing equipment. They change the curvature of the blade, alter the blade's lie -- its angle when held flat against the ground -- and tweak other elements in hopes of improving the blade's performance.
Choosing Blade
The only way to find out what type of composite hockey blade work best for you is to try different types. Ask your coach or experienced hockey players about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of blades. Once you have an idea of which type of blade you want, visit a sports equipment store and test a few. Note the weight of the stick and the flexibility of the blade. Place the blade flat on the ground to see if the angle suits your playing style.
Member Comments