When I first heard about a new line of sticks from True Temper sports, I really had no idea what to expect. I had heard they had been making sticks for years, and even golf shafts, but was not familiar with their product. After speaking to Steve Sutherland, a director at True Temper Sports, I became more excited about their product offerings. We were fortunate enough to receive the premier True A6.0 stick from True Temper in order to review for our readers. I have used the stick for a couple months and compiled my thoughts on it below. Read on for our full review of the True A6.0 stick.
Specs: True A6.0, 85 flex, MC Pattern
Design and Construction:
The True A6.0 stick is very visually appealing. It’s an all black stick which uses blue and gray as accents throughout. It’s a simple design, straight to the point with no gimmicks and a solid color scheme.
True Temper’s A6.0 stick is constructed using their patented Axenic Technology which seamlessly co-molds the shaft and blade while removing unnecessary weight from the tip for improved balance and feel. Other manufacturers, on the other hand, may use something like a bladder mold or fuse technology.
The stick utilizes a mid-flex profile for optimal performance in all game situations. It’s a softer flex near the butt end for leverage on wrist shots and improved feel. Near the blade, its a bit stiffer to provide stability and accuracy when shooting. The A6.0 also has True Temper’s Active Bond Technology II to help maintain blade stiffness over a longer period of time for greater pop and feel. The blade construction incorporates a dual 100% carbon fiber rib structure, along with a unique foam core which resists break down over time.
Feel:
The True A6.0 stick has a good feel in your hands, whether your stick handling with it, shooting, or just skating. It’s extremely light weight, of course, weighing in at about 400 grams and edging out some of its competitors by a few grams. The stick also feels well balanced, adding to its great specs.
The stick is also responsive and gives solid feedback when stick handling. Puck feel is good and leaves you confident in skating with your head up. True Temper’s Axenic technology, which allows the blade and shaft to work better as a unit, definitely shines here in giving you the optimal feel and feedback you expect from a top end hockey stick.
Shooting, Accuracy and Performance:
Shooting and accuracy are a couple of the most important aspects of a sticks performance. Having not really been familiar with True Temper to begin with, I really wasn’t sure what to expect out of the A6.0. After my first shooting session with the stick, however, I was hooked on it. This stick provided shots unlike anything that I have used previously.
Starting with wrist shots, I was definitely impressed with the kick this stick had, and the amount of pop on my shots. Shooting felt effortless, but I was firing off quick and accurate shots. Snap shots delivered more of the same. My release felt lightning quick on both wrist and snap shots, and hitting the top corner on shots was as easy as one ever hopes it would be.
After messing around with some basic shots, I decided to really lean into a few slap shots. After my first one, all I could think was “Wow!” I had just taken what I would estimate would be my fastest slap shot ever. It felt unbelievable, so I just kept winding up and taking more. Each one impressed me as much as the last. It was one of few times where I actually wish I had a radar gun to see exactly how fast I was shooting the puck.
But beyond these slap shots being fast, they were accurate too. Slap shots were going top, bottom, left or right, basically wherever I wanted. I would be extremely confident using this stick on the blue line during a power play and firing shots on net.
My good fortunes seemed to continue with this stick during game action. I played in a weekend tournament where I saw four games throughout the weekend. I managed at least one goal in all but one game, and was placing shots right on target to beat the goalies. Goals came on breakaways, wrist shots and snap shots, and I can praise the quick release on the A6.0 for more than a couple of those goals.
Durability:
Through a few months of solid usage, and lots of game action, I managed to put this stick through quite a bit. There are a number of scratches and scuffs showing up on the black blade, but no cracks, breaks, or any other serious damage. In fact, much of the shaft actually looks pretty new with minimal scuffs.
All in all, the True A6.0 stick proved it can take a beating, all the while performing like a boss. I’m sure this stick could be used for a lengthy period of time before having to retire.
Overall Impressions:
While most of the sticks we review are pretty solid, despite having their individual quirks or drawbacks, this is one stick that I would not hesitate to go out and buy. The True A6.0 stick has been the best performing stick I have used so far this year. The performance I got out of the True A6.0 was unlike any other stick I’ve experienced. The True brand may be new to hockey sticks, but my guess is they will quickly earn their market share with a product like this.
True Temper produced a stick that not only feels and looks great, but performs incredibly. From sending and receiving passes, to dangling or sniping top shelf, you can do it all with the A6.0.
Coming in at a price of $259.99, the A6.0 compares equally to other top level hockey sticks in the game today. The drawback for True Temper is that those products are made by well known brands such as Bauer, Easton, etc. It may take some players going out on a limb to try something new at that same price range. On the flip side, I’m convinced that once people have a chance to get this stick in their hands and try it out for themselves, they’ll be extremely happy with it and even go back for seconds when the time comes.
So if you’re in the market for a new stick and want to try something new, I strongly recommend the A6.0 from True Hockey. The True A6.0 stick is available at select retail stores in the U.S. and Canada for $259.99, and will continue to become more widely available as time goes on.
If you’ve used a True A6.0 stick, leave a comment below with your personal review and experiences to help out other HWB readers looking for more information.
Great review Matt i would have to agree with pretty much everything you have said. I switched from Easton Mako’s to the True sticks a few months ago and have nothing but praise for the sticks.
Love the stick. have the new htx and true temper but prefer the true for its feel and quick release.
I’ve been using the A6.0 for about 2 months now. Stiff lower section really helps taking draws and resisting slashes. Soft top really helps start those wrist shots quickly. Honestly feels like my shots launch quicker and harder than my RibCor 40k. Just make sure to have soft hands when receiving those hard passes, or it’ll jump right off the blade.
You are absolutely correct… I am positive I shoot 10 mph faster with this stick. I got mine free through a distributer. Unfortunately, mine finally gave up after many hours of ice time and snapped… I’ve never paid that much for a stick before, but I probably will now. Totally worth every penny.
Received mine free from a buddy that plays in the KHL, loved the feel and the balance. Unfortunately, although it felt like it had a little flex in the middle, it is very stiff through the hozzle and blade and I really had to lean to get it to perform. The stick also had that ridiculous crazy OVIE toe-curve which is basically a straight heel hook with a spoon at the end. Going to try and warm it up a bit and see if a few shots knock the stiffness out but I didn’t love it compared to my Total One with the Kane or Hodgson curve.
Great stick. I finally could find one. I am a golfer too and they basically own the market in golf club shafts. Also excellent shafts for golfers with the project X model. Hockey sticks are as good as the golf shafts.
Hi, I am real close to ordering a True A6.0 or 5.2 because they have finally fallen into my price range, but I have two questions that I have been unable to find answers to that I was hoping someone could help me with:
1. How close are the two in quality? Is it worth spending more to get the 6.0 or is the 5.2 so close that it has better value?
2. Blade curves…I’ve searched high and low to find good pictures of their curves and haven’t found much. Their blade chart, imo, doesn’t show you the curve very well and leaves me with many questions. Even their comparisons on the bottom of the chart I find to be inconsistent. I’m short (5’7″) so I need a lie of around 5/5.5 max. I typically play with a Toews or Kane curve, nothing crazy. If anyone can give a suggestion form their own experience or have any actual pictures of each blade, please share! What is the curve in the picture here?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Daren – With the 5.2 you’re still getting a pretty high quality stick. In fact, the 5.2 is used by players in the NHL. If that is the price point that works for you, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on it.
The MC pattern is what I used and is what is in my picture. It’s a mid curve with a 5.0 lie. I was a fan of it and used it again with the Xcore 9.
Thank you Matt, this is very helpful. I actually went to TotalHockey today to see what True sticks they had, which was only the TC2 and MC curve. They must be the most popular. I think I will stick with the MC curve since I can’t find the TC2-5 curve on HockeyMonkey. Out of curiosity, do you find the xcore that much better than the A series? I held both in the store today and the 5.2 actually felt better, and lighter?
Also, how well does the heel fare with no tape? I don’t often use tape on the heel which hits the ice the most often and some sticks wear down fast.
Looking to get one, but can’t find on any review what the matte grip feels like. Is it grippy or more of a sandpaper feel?
It’s more on the grippy side. Nothing like the griptac Bauer uses though. It has a slight rubber feel to it without being overly sticky like I’ve found Bauer and Ccm grips to be. It’s a great medium between the sandpaper type finish and sticky type grip
I own both the a 6.0 and the Xcore 9, and love them both for different reasons. The major difference between the two from my experience is the 6.0 feels lighter (because it is) and has a nice feel in the hands with the slightly rounded corners. I also felt that the puck feel with the 6.0 was better. I attribute this mostly to the fact that it’s a bit lighter. Where the Xcore really shines is in the shooting department. I was able to pull off clappers from the point with dead accuracy. I’ve used just about every stick from Bauer to CCM to Warrior, and nothing shoots like this one. The Xcore insert in the blade truly does help launch a more accurate shot. It also comes in handy when giving and receiving passes. The puck absolutely sticks to the blade when receiving passes. I’ve owned both for a decent amount of time, and have found that the 6.0 holds up slightly better. Could just be a coincidence though.
I bought the 6.0 from monkey on special. I play rec hockey in australia and have used two older pro stock ribcors from current nhl players (via stickfixtesassouth ..ebay) the true is light & crisp..it just feels right.has great feel and more pop than anything i have used to date. I rarely slapshot. I dont feel like i need to. Besides i am a winger anyway. I get my wristys and snapshot off with more heat using this stick than i can with a slapper anyway…try it orbuy it…you will be glad
Love the A6.0…
Have had every Bauer and Easton and think this shaft alone is better than any of them. Stiff at the blade to be tough and has a killer snap on slaps and wrist shots.
Honestly this stick is a no Briner and hope TRUE keeps up the good work.
I currently use a True a6.0 but I am on my last one. Looking at ordering a Xcore7. What is the weight difference between the two models.
Xcore 7 is about 458 grams while the A6.0 SBP is roughly 404 grams.
The Xcore 7 is also on sale, here is the link.
I have bought my son two of these sticks over the last year as he wanted to try something different. The first one lasted about 90 days before the heel of the blade blew out. Bought another one as he really liked the stick itself and it lasted 60 days before the heel of the blade blew out again. Prior to switching to True Sticks he has been a Bauer fan
At this point we are headed back to Bauer