Jarick
Doing Nothing
I picked up two new sticks for this season and I figured I would check in with a quick review and updates.
I'm a recovering stick junkie and typically am super picky about what I use. But between work and kids, I don't have the free time and money to tinker as much as I used to. My sticks have seen heavy use the last few years and the curves are all over the map. So I wanted to simplify and get two one piece sticks with two different curves that I could use at either forward or defense.
The V9E cost $139 on clearance while the CT7.5 cost $119 as a regular price stick (I believe an SMU for Total Hockey). So the CT7.5 could be considered a price point while the V9E is a high end stick.
Here are the specs:
Easton Stealth V9E = 65 flex E36 curve
Easton Stealth CT7.5 = 65 flex E28 curve
Graphics:
The V9E is the "elite" edition, which has a silver and black shaft with a natural matte finish blade. It looks both flashy yet subdued. The CT7.5 has a white to black fade on the shaft with a natural matte finish on the blade and EASTON in a silver outline in the taper section. It looks really nice in my opinion. The V9E has a smaller weave wrap on the blade vs the CT7.5. Both sticks have really stupid graphics near the toe which would be exposed unless you tape over. Dislike that. The CT7.5 is painted on the bottom of the blade which is odd.
Weight and Balance:
I have already cut and taped these but can weigh them using a food scale. The V9E is listed at 430 grams while the CT7.5 doesn't have a listed weight. I would guess it's between 450-475? The V9E is mostly balanced but a touch blade heavy which makes it feel a little heavier in the hands. The CT7.5 is a little better balanced in my opinion and feels a bit lighter in the hands even though it's probably heavier.
Grip and Shape:
Both sticks have a smooth grip coating. The CT7.5 may be a touch more grippy. Both sticks have a fairly boxy shaft although the diameter is smaller being an intermediate. Both sticks have an oval taper section that narrows in width while widening in depth. The CT7.5 appears to be slightly wider than the V9E in shaft depth above the hosel.
Puck Feel and Passing:
Both sticks have really good puck feel. The V9E may be a touch more muted in feel but stickhandling is comfortable with both. Very impressed with the CT7.5 feel given it is a price point model. These cheaper sticks keep improving. Catching hard passes is easy with both of them. Both are comparable to high end sticks produced over the last several years.
Flex, Kick, and Shooting:
I believe that the V9E is supposed to have a dual kick point while the CT7.5 is low kick. The V9E does feel a bit softer in flex and a bit easier to load. Shooting feels a bit more natural with that kick point but I am hoping the CT7.5 breaks in a touch. I have rarely used low kick sticks in recent years to there is some adjustment. Slap shots seem better with the V9E, although I am not sure if it's the curve. Wrist and snap shots seem better with the CT7.5 but that again may be the curve. The E28 is more open and more of a toe than the E36 so that will affect shots.
Overall:
I haven't used Easton one piece sticks before, but both seem nice from the start.
The V9E is a solid all-around stick that should work with any kind of player. It reminds me of a lighter, more durable, more predictable wood stick. With the neutral curve, I will favor this stick while playing defense. I definitely wouldn't pay the $250 or whatever the original retail price was as it doesn't have the very light feel of a high end stick, but at the clearance price it is a good buy.
The CT7.5 is impressive for a price point stick. It is well balanced with good weight and puck feel. I wonder if I shouldn't have tried the Synergy 80 instead as it's mid kick, but the flex on that seemed a little stiff. Either way, I would definitely recommend this for any level of player looking for a good stick that doesn't break the bank. If other price points are performing at this level, I might be a convert.
I'm a recovering stick junkie and typically am super picky about what I use. But between work and kids, I don't have the free time and money to tinker as much as I used to. My sticks have seen heavy use the last few years and the curves are all over the map. So I wanted to simplify and get two one piece sticks with two different curves that I could use at either forward or defense.
The V9E cost $139 on clearance while the CT7.5 cost $119 as a regular price stick (I believe an SMU for Total Hockey). So the CT7.5 could be considered a price point while the V9E is a high end stick.
Here are the specs:
Easton Stealth V9E = 65 flex E36 curve
Easton Stealth CT7.5 = 65 flex E28 curve
Graphics:
The V9E is the "elite" edition, which has a silver and black shaft with a natural matte finish blade. It looks both flashy yet subdued. The CT7.5 has a white to black fade on the shaft with a natural matte finish on the blade and EASTON in a silver outline in the taper section. It looks really nice in my opinion. The V9E has a smaller weave wrap on the blade vs the CT7.5. Both sticks have really stupid graphics near the toe which would be exposed unless you tape over. Dislike that. The CT7.5 is painted on the bottom of the blade which is odd.
Weight and Balance:
I have already cut and taped these but can weigh them using a food scale. The V9E is listed at 430 grams while the CT7.5 doesn't have a listed weight. I would guess it's between 450-475? The V9E is mostly balanced but a touch blade heavy which makes it feel a little heavier in the hands. The CT7.5 is a little better balanced in my opinion and feels a bit lighter in the hands even though it's probably heavier.
Grip and Shape:
Both sticks have a smooth grip coating. The CT7.5 may be a touch more grippy. Both sticks have a fairly boxy shaft although the diameter is smaller being an intermediate. Both sticks have an oval taper section that narrows in width while widening in depth. The CT7.5 appears to be slightly wider than the V9E in shaft depth above the hosel.
Puck Feel and Passing:
Both sticks have really good puck feel. The V9E may be a touch more muted in feel but stickhandling is comfortable with both. Very impressed with the CT7.5 feel given it is a price point model. These cheaper sticks keep improving. Catching hard passes is easy with both of them. Both are comparable to high end sticks produced over the last several years.
Flex, Kick, and Shooting:
I believe that the V9E is supposed to have a dual kick point while the CT7.5 is low kick. The V9E does feel a bit softer in flex and a bit easier to load. Shooting feels a bit more natural with that kick point but I am hoping the CT7.5 breaks in a touch. I have rarely used low kick sticks in recent years to there is some adjustment. Slap shots seem better with the V9E, although I am not sure if it's the curve. Wrist and snap shots seem better with the CT7.5 but that again may be the curve. The E28 is more open and more of a toe than the E36 so that will affect shots.
Overall:
I haven't used Easton one piece sticks before, but both seem nice from the start.
The V9E is a solid all-around stick that should work with any kind of player. It reminds me of a lighter, more durable, more predictable wood stick. With the neutral curve, I will favor this stick while playing defense. I definitely wouldn't pay the $250 or whatever the original retail price was as it doesn't have the very light feel of a high end stick, but at the clearance price it is a good buy.
The CT7.5 is impressive for a price point stick. It is well balanced with good weight and puck feel. I wonder if I shouldn't have tried the Synergy 80 instead as it's mid kick, but the flex on that seemed a little stiff. Either way, I would definitely recommend this for any level of player looking for a good stick that doesn't break the bank. If other price points are performing at this level, I might be a convert.
Dumb move on my part, but I've been hobbled on a bad knee for two weeks, then right as I got healthy a guy took me out at the knees.
