New Koho full Composite goal sticks

[Bryan]

Hey all,

I haven't had a chance to use this stick on ice yet, therefore this is NOT a review. Just a heads-up that these sticks actually exist, which in and of itself actually impressed the hell out of me.

Yes, they are a brand-new 2008 model. And yes, they are full one piece composite, not the foam core/wood amalgamation with a composite covering.

At first look and direct comparison, they appear to be the same stick as the new RBK 8K. Given the price (only $99), I would expect that they are actually 7Ks, but they clearly look to be a better stick at least in terms of fit and finish than the 7K, and visually look exactly like the 8K I was comparing them to. Also, it clearly says on the shaft that this is the pro model, not senior, which in my mind makes the 7K not a direct comparison. If things are as they appear, the $99 price point would make them even more impressive, even if the Koho name itself did not make you jump up and scream. At that price though, even if it turns out to be a 3 dressed up as a 9, I'm thinking it's still a good risk even as a backup stick.

First impressions are very good. My frame of reference is TPS Response Plus, as that's what I've been using for the last 2 years. They are a stiff, solid stick, with a slight kick/flex zone about 1/3 up the paddle. Length, paddle, and lie match up very closely to the Lundqvist/Billington retail TPS Response Plus pattern I was already using (26" paddle). Blade is slightly shorter than what I'm used to, with a conservative mid curve and slight toe twist. They also feature the grippy surface that many of the player sticks have these days, but only in the grip area, so that you can still poke check. I usually tape that area anyway, so I probably won't evaluate that feature during the review.

I may not get on the ice until wednesday (Aug 27), so a real review will have to wait.

The model number is "Pro Koho 1". Regular 30 day RBKHockey warranty applies (ie: you have to send it in, store won't take it back). I was told that this exact pattern is the only one there is (left curve, 26" paddle, white with black and red accents only).


Preliminary pics attached. More with the real review.

[Hockey3081]

Where'd you find it?

[Cujo_64]

that is ****in sexy !


i look forward to seeing more of these come out... hopefully in different paddles later on then....

rob

[LukePhillips]

Long live Koho, die slowly Rbk.

[Matt The Hammer]

The graphics look like the infamous Koho 2100 Ultimate sticks I rocked in old school street hockey with the illegal curves I would create on my parents stove.

Memories... and wicked curved shots!

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Hockey3081

Where'd you find it?

Canadian Tire. Only a few stores have them right now, but I've been told that pretty much all 460+ stores will have them within a week or two.

Originally Posted by Matt The Hammer

The graphics look like the infamous Koho 2100 Ultimate sticks I rocked in old school street hockey with the illegal curves I would create on my parents stove.

Memories... and wicked curved shots!

Kind of similar at first glance I guess. In the case of this goal stick, what you see behind the KOHO script is actually the big K target logo stretched out sideways. Here's a better look:

[RichMan]

I'm a wood stick guy, but at $99, i'm willing to give it a run

Is it well ballanced? Is the finish good? No thin or over done spots?

[Matt The Hammer]

Maybe it was the "Koho" name over a design/ logo.

Similar to the Reebok stuff I guess...

Something so right about this:



Bryan - good find and thread nontheless. Thanks.

[Matt The Hammer]

Here's the direct link to CT's page for the stick...

Canadian Tire

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by Matt The Hammer

Here's the direct link to CT's page for the stick...

Canadian Tire

It won't link directly but if you go through to the stick page it says HD foam core.

So either Bryan is wrong or they labeled it wrong.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Huntster

It won't link directly but if you go through to the stick page it says HD foam core.

So either Bryan is wrong or they labeled it wrong.

Neither. Almost all composite sticks have a foam core. I've been using TPS composite sticks since before they were available to the public. When they break, it's foam inside there. This is definitely a full one piece composite stick.

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Neither. Almost all composite sticks have a foam core. I've been using TPS composite sticks since before they were available to the public. When they break, it's foam inside there. This is definitely a full one piece composite stick.

Thanks for the clarification. I got confused by you saying it wasn't a foam core amalgation. I took that to mean there was no foam used in the stick at all.

I might have to pick one up to try out.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Huntster

Thanks for the clarification. I got confused by you saying it wasn't a foam core amalgation. I took that to mean there was no foam used in the stick at all.

I was referring to some of the sticks that came out that claimed to be composite sticks, but were actually the Heaton 10/Koho 590 style where the foam is actually the structure of the paddle and blade with a thin composite covering. As opposed to true RTM composite sticks where the "shell" is the structure of the stick, and foam just fills the voids inside to dampen vibration.

I've seen some of these faux-composite sticks from RBK/THC and I was just trying to point out that this was not one of those.

[Nabby]

When I can buy these in the states then I'll be happy . I'll be in need of a new stick soon since my Vapor XXX is about to snap.

[matvell]

I really hope they bring the Koho line back.