Hockey blades are made from either wood or composite materials. Blades are replaceable on two-piece hockey sticks but not on one-piece sticks. You simply slide the blade into the shaft of the stick using a process that involves a heat gun and specially designed adhesive. Hockey stick blades are designed to fit either tapered or traditional shafts.
Tapered
The difference between a tapered blade and a traditional one is in the size of the hosel. The hosel is the part of the blade that fits inside the stick shaft. The diameter of the hosel on a senior tapered hockey stick blade measures 0.520 inch while a traditional size is slightly larger at 0.620 inch, according to HockeyGiant.com. Junior sticks --- smaller shafts/blades designed for youth --- offer slightly smaller hosel diameters to accompany the smaller opening on the stick shaft.
Advantages
Tapered hockey stick blades are preferred by many players due to their "low kick point," meaning that they offer the player a quicker and more responsive shot. Another advantage of tapered hockey stick blades is the fact that they are slightly lighter than a traditional-style stick blade. Although the difference in weight is miniscule, every gram helps when trying to cut down the weight of a hockey stick.
Compatibility
A hockey stick blade with a traditional-style hosel is not compatible with a stick shaft designed for tapered blades. The same holds true for tapered shafts and traditional blades. You shouldn't mix-and-match senior and junior hockey stick components either; the blade and shaft will not fit properly together, which will affect performance.
Pricing
There is no significant difference in pricing between a tapered hockey stick blade and a traditional blade. The pricing is based upon the material of the blade. Based on 2011 prices, a low-end wood tapered stick blade can be purchased for as little as $10. Tapered blades constructed of composite materials like carbon fiber or graphite cost significantly more. Top-of-the-line blades can run $70 or more apiece.
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