This is my first time using a Reebok hockey stick, or any Reebok equipment for that matter, and I am pleasantly surprised. First off, I’m not one to drop $200+ dollars every time a new stick hits the market, so I am always looking for the best value – price to quality ratio. The MSRP on the 6k is $99.99 (knock off 20% ‘cause I work in the pro-shop). Some other sticks in my shop with the same sticker price are the CCM U+10, the Bauer One60 and the Easton S7. After comparing the feel of all four sticks, the 6k won pretty much hands down. The closest competitor was the CCM, but I went with the RBK because it felt slightly lighter and the U+10 has a rounded shaft and I’m used to the more traditional square shaft. My last stick was the Bauer One80 ($119.99), which was great, but the One60 can’t hold a candle to it feel/performance wise. The S7 feels clunky and boring, however its replacement, the Stealth 65s feels much more promising – I’ll have to give that one a try.
Anyway, enough background, let’s talk performance. I went with the 85 flex, Hedman pattern, a nice mid-curve. The stick shoots well and feels pretty responsive on slap shots. I can feel the puck “pop” off the blade, and the shaft feels strong and reliable. No need to hesitate before leaning into your shots. I don’t have the greatest snap-shot technique, but I can feel the stick doing some of the work for me with its low kick point. The low kick sticks really do help with shot release quickness – try using a wooden stick to take a quick snapper when the puck is in your feet and you’ll see what I mean.
The backup twig I use between breaks is an old Warrior Johnson with a wooden blade so it took a minute for me to get used to how light the bottom half of the 6K is. It felt weird at first but an hour of ice time later I was fully accustomed to the lighter weight.
It seems that the weakest point on the 6K is its blade. After about three months (skating 2-3 times a week) my first 6K’s heel busted open after working a bantam goalie with a ton of shots. My younger brother (who skates most every day) busted his 6K in the same spot. He still had time to get a warranty replacement, but the blade on that one busted in a different way after only a weekend of games. It split down the middle, starting at the toe. The blade could be held together with tape, but it’s just not the same.
That doesn’t mean the 6K is a bad stick, it means if you get it be SURE you are using the proper lie and stick length for your height. When you shoot the blade needs to hit the ice evenly. If you use a lie that has your blade banging the ice heel first on every shot, it won’t hold up for long.
In the end, it’s not a question of whether the 6K is a good stick, but rather if it’s the right stick for you. If you’re a high level travel player who’s equipment takes a severe beating then I’d advise going with something of higher quality, but for the once a week rec player who won’t drop $200 but still wants a decent twig the 6K is the value you’ve been looking for. In my humble opinion, the RBK 6k is the best hundred dollar stick out right now.
