SWD 9950 vs 5030

[NickT55]

Can someone give me some input on SWD 9950 vs 5030 which is lighter and has the better feel when playing the puck ?

[Thatkidrayray]

I own both and are pretty good. I cant really tell the differnece in weight in either stick but they are fairly light and seem durable. I love using them for stickhandling you cant go wrong with them especially for the price.

[chrono]

Hey Nick,

I actually just tried out a 5030 the other day, after coming from a 9950. There is a big difference between the two, I think. The 5030 is a foam injected stick that has a very thin profile and a smooth, rounded handle (that is, it feels like the corners on the handle have been sanded or shaved to have a more "rounded" feel). Also the paddle feels more laminated and smooth (think old Koho Revolution) as opposed to the more "raw" fiberglass feel of the 9950. The 5030 reminds me alot of Hespeler RTXGs - but are a TON more durable. I honestly thought the 5030 would be break fairly easily, especially on the edges of the paddle, which are not laminated, but it has stood up well against Junior A-level shooters.
The thinner profile also improves puck feel, I think. The curve is a little much for me (it's a Thibault pattern) but it has a good deal of flex to it and was good at getting the puck up and out.
Even with all this, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back to the 9950. The 5030 is not a bad stick, but I'm just not all that comfortable with it. I guess I just like a "beefier" feeling stick (ha ha!).
I'm pretty sure there are some other threads here that don't have such glowing praise for the 5030. You might want to check them out too. Just search "5030" and you should get some hits.

Good Luck!

[oldgoalie]

Different sticks. The 9950 is lighter and usually with an agressive curve at the toe. I have also found the 9950 gets very 'springy' fairly quickly and not nearly as durable as either the 5030 and 7000 series.

I have been using a 5030 for a few weeks now and notice the heavier weight and also find the 7000 was better balanced, the 5030 seems to be bottom heavy.

[Goats34]

I've used Sher-Wood's my entire goalie life. In the past year I've had one 7000, three 5030's, six 9950's, and right now I'm on the Itech GS Pro's, which are made by Sher-Wood.

The 5030s are by far your best bang for your buck. Durable, moderately light, and you can get them at Canadian Tire for like $60 if you're in a pinch for sticks. The curves leave much to be desired, though. Thibaults (mild heel curve) everywhere you look.

The 9950 is where it's at. I'll echo the previous poster who mentioned that they get springy in a hurry. They are a better stick than a 5030 but for a shorter period of time. I find that the heel section of a 9950 gets weak quicker than the 5030, and when it does it breaks quicker.

I find shooting far easier with the 9950, especially if you get it with a mid curve (like a Weekes).

If you can get your hands on a set of Itech GS Pros, they are like a 9950 but seem a little more durable in the heel.

[Ryeno42]

Here's the basic answer the higher # the more material the stiffer the stick is.

[gola223]

If you shoot turco style, you can't used a 5030. I tried one, coming from 9950's because I liked the new look but it is impossible to shoot with. This thing flexes like a twig and I snapped in half trying to shoot during my first practice with it.

[Ryeno42]

that's a perference.

each person has different strengths.

flex to one is stiff to others

[hamstercaster]

I personally would pick a 5030 over a 9950 any day. I owned both and the 5030 lasted much longer, I was able to shoot as well with it and stayed stiffer longer. I ended my 5030's life by smashing it against the boards and got a 9950 after for the same price at inventory clear out sale so I said what the hell and tried it. It only took three games for the heel of the stick to start spliting and the blade to become much more springy. I then went out and bought a Sherwood RM9 and never looked back but if I was to go back to wood, my pick would by the 5030. Cheaper, pretty light and durable.

[Kael]

I haven't used the 5030's (I was waiting for the local rink to get my color in for them). I had originally used 7000's and switched to 9950 (availability). But I'm back with 7000's (what the rink had in my paddle-size). I'm thinking the 7000's feel a little bit more durable.

For reference, the price at the local rink per stick is (there abouts):
5030: $57
7000: $69
9950: $85

With the 9950's, I've always had a problem with the laminate coming apart from the shaft where I clang my posts at. It creates splinters and often doesn't feel right. They also appear to get good "spring" to them, but lose it quickly. I have not had these problems with my newest 7000. I can get pucks off the glass from across the ice (against one side of boards to the other in the same zone) with ease - something I had trouble with when using the 9950's.

I did notice that online retailers seem to have dropped the 7000 from the lineup. I'm guessing they phased that out. SWD seems to have the 9990X, 9950, and 5030 as their sticks.

Looks like I maybe switching to the 5030's afterall.

[hahny1&33]

Ive used 5030, 7000, and 9950, and love them all, to me the 5030's have had the best feel in my opinion, but the 9950's seem to me they can take more of a beating but for the prices of these sticks, no one can beat Sher-Wood.