Sherwood PMPX 9950: Hockey Sticks made out of . . . wood?
Written: May 23 '04 (Updated May 23 '04)
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Pros: Ultimate wood stick, stiff, extra long
Cons: Pricey for wood
The Bottom Line: It might cost as much or more than a one piece composite stick in the long run. You'll have to pick, feel or durability
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| puckmugger's Full Review: Sherwood PMPX 9950 Iron Carbon Senior Hockey Stick |
Back in the early days of hockey, before they wore helmets but after people stopped carving their own sticks in the barn, there were a few stick companies that aren’t still around. Victoriaville and Northland didn’t quite stand the test of time. Innovations in hockey sticks really began in the mid-sixties with Christian Brothers introduction of the fiberglass sock making the first durable and truly stiff hockey stick. Now lightweight composite materials are making even reinforced wood sticks even less desirable.
▪ The 9950
Sherwood’s 9950 is probably the best wood stick on the market.
The 9950 is one of the longest sticks on the market. Tall players have problems finding a stick that is the right length for them. Even composite sticks are a mediocre choice as long plugs make for a weak point and poor overall flex.
The 9950 is a laminated stick. The fiberglass and carbon fiber on the shaft is thicker than on most sticks. It is also nicely rounded for comfortable grip. Then entire shaft finish is smooth, finished to a polish that a cabinetmaker would be proud of.
The blade itself is the same as the popular 950 replacement blade. Again it is a multi-layered laminated blade reinforced with fiberglass.
▪ On Ice Impressions
The 9950 is the stiffest wood stick that I have ever used. It is comparable to a 110-flex Easton stick. Feel is good as would be expected with a wood stick. It is light, though not as light as a composite or aircraft core stick.
Shooting feel is powerful and controlled. The 9950 is the next best thing to a composite for shot power. There is a good crisp release and a solid shot pop coming off the stick.
▪ Durability
The heavy flex of this stick lasts longer than comparably priced wood sticks. While a normal wood and glass stick might give a big shooter eight to ten hours of good pop. The 9950 will approximately double that before losing its zip.
Shaft durability against breakage is outstanding as well. All sticks break, but it takes a weird event to destroy one of these shafts.
The blade is the weak link in durability. Most often the blade will chip at the toe before the shaft even loses its pop. Sometimes they simply fold in the middle. Nonetheless the blade is usually good for at least ten to fifteen hours before it starts getting ugly.
▪ Final Thoughts
The 9950 isn’t a cheap stick. Even though it is still primarily a wood stick it runs about $40. Three or four of these puts you into the price range of a composite stick. Since the 9950 is most certainly an advanced player’s stick.
Buyers should consider this carefully. The flex rating makes it too much stick for novices. The price to durability ratio however, is more beneficial to most novices who won’t be as greatly affected by reduced spring in a stick and would be unlikely to break the blades.
The bottom line is that advanced players might break down this stick in a matter of a couple weeks. At $80 a month for sticks, a $150 composite stick lasting 3 months is a much better deal. However, the choice often comes down to a preference of feel above durability.
The 9950 is good enough that it might be the last truly remarkable wooden stick ever made.
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Hockey Stick Buying Guide
Mission M-1 Stick
CCM Vector Stick
Bauer Vapor XX Stick
Graf Goldline One-piece Stick
Recommended:
No
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