I was just thinking to myself that you must have way too much time on your hands to write so many essays Liam! Then I realised that I'd probably spent just as long reading everything! It's great that you did write so much though as it saves me having to write so much :lol:

I agree with most of your design concepts Liam and also agree with you Sven that stick design is a very personal things depending on an individuals tecnique and strengths. I've been making my own sticks for a few more years than Liam and use a different method too.

I remember at a junior training camp quite a few years ago that I was helping out with, the coach used me as an example to show how an elite players sticks are all the same and that he should be able to pull out any sticks from my bag and they'd all be the same. I think he was a little disappointed when he didn't find 2 the same! That doesn't mean I had any favourites, I could grab any stick and play just as well with any of them. I've seen so many players filing and rasping sticks on the pool edge to get them just right and have been perplexed as to why they should have to do this.

When I'm making sticks I used one of my old sticks (sorry Liam, no template!) and trace around that onto carefully selected pine. I use pine because I find it gives the best feel of the puck, and it's pretty cheap too. I then use a jig saw to cut them out pretty roughly paying no attention to angles of bevels (bandsaw is also good if you have access to one). Then for final shaping I use an angle grinder with a sanding disc on it to sculpt each stick into a work of art! All angles are cut by eye and handles shaped by feel. I guess a lot of this comes from experience and would be hard for a beginner to achieve. Making sticks this way I can knock out 15-20 in an hour and have always had a 90% success rate.

Something else for you to play with!