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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: slik stik stem review Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:52 pm | |
| Premise of Review: This article is a comparison between slik stik varieties as well as contrasted against your standard aluminium shaft. Product: Slik Stik's are a category of stems producted by unicorn. Slik stiks are different from regular shafts in that the flight side loads. Presently there are four main varieties of slik stik. All Plastic Stem [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Aluminum Base with permanetely affixed plastic top [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Ti Coated metal base with replaceable tops for Sigma and Phase 5 [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Magnesium base with replaceable tops for Sigma Pro [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Both the standard and Ti Coated metal bases are available with or with out a tightening hole depending on the sub variety. Basic Advantages: The basic advantage to slik stiks are that they are far more durable than regular nylon or alum stems and that the flights almost NEVER pop out. On top of that the design essentially includes built in flight protectors that prevent robin hoods and some deflection. They are also extremely flexible and bend out of the way of incoming darts more often than not. They also never snap off completely which saves the effort of having to go to the pain of pulling broken shafts out. The replacable tops are also much cheaper than buying shafts in masse' and last longer. Also far easier to load flights by a mile. Basic Disadvantages: They are on compatible with alot of flight shapes and sizes. This includes slims, kites, oversized standards, triads and mini flights like dimplex offers. Also you I've had some difficulty finding other name brand standards and pears that fit right. All Unicorn flights seem to fit fine though. Depending on the color and year you buy of replacable tops there is some variation in the size of the top leading to some fitting loose. I found this paticular problem when using black over white. The blacks just dont want to hold my flights snug. Another disadvantage is the initial upfront cost if you buy a metal base system with replacable tops. Advanced Advantages: Can aim like phil taylor and sight off the butt of the stem. If you go with the magnesium base your shafts are instantly lighter than most and it may give you a more forward balance point. of vice versa if you go with the solid steel base which sees to be heavier than standard alum stems Advanced Disadvantages: If your darts sit in unusual angles for extended periods of time are are stored funny, the tops will warp especially if its warm out. Unicorn may retire them when lowe and taylor are out of the picture if no one new uses them. Wear: I personally use both the mag and ti coated bases often and I've noticed that the mag holds up much much better appearance wise. In the rare instance of plowing a dart completely through the plastic top, the TI base may chip where as the mag top seems much softer. Actually done the prior not pretty. All in all wears far better than any traditional shaft ive bought. Save damage of flights Cost: 10-20 dollar range depending on what you get, unless you go for the all plastic which is much cheaper in the short term. Balance point: Another comparison between ti and mag, several grip rings difference, and in this example it is the ti coated with a hole, so imagine the dif! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Overall: Best shaft system on the market by a mile |
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DIRTY G
Posts : 964 Join date : 2012-08-14 Age : 53 Location : Perth Australia
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:11 am | |
| Thanks Vallyr
Trying to find the weight of these stems lead me to this forum. |
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USMC80
Posts : 4871 Join date : 2012-01-17 Age : 44 Location : nj
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:14 am | |
| Great review bud! DN reviewers badge is on its way |
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spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:18 am | |
| Nice review vallyr. I like the slik stiks as well. I have used kites and slims in them and had no problems. The phase5 darts came with slim flights. The kites I've used were pentathlon and they fit great. I only use the slik stiks on the darts they came with -sigmas and phase 5. I agree they are a nice system -I just prefer my L-style set up |
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getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:13 am | |
| Nice and detailed review Vallyr good job, have a +1
Never been a big fan of the Slik Stiks myself, but I may gave them another try sometime before totally dismissing them. |
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Skyblueadam
Posts : 758 Join date : 2012-11-09
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:34 am | |
| Does the bottom part of it give strength because my slikstiks are really bendy? I haven't got the aliminium bit |
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shixon
Posts : 36 Join date : 2012-09-27 Age : 58 Location : Amarillo, TX
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:35 am | |
| Nice review Vallyr! I have been using the Phase 5 shafts for about 6 months and I am very satisfied with them. Last night I broke one of the replaceable tops, and that is the first one I've had to replace in 6 months(The dart landed back end first on an odd bounce out causing the flight holder to break). The length of these is longer than a short nylon and shorter than a medium, and I did have trouble with these on a longer barreled dart, but they are great on my Sigmas. Anyway, great review brother. +1 from me. |
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Saber
Posts : 5689 Join date : 2012-01-09 Location : Palm Coast,Florida 32137
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:36 am | |
| Nice review mate take a plus 1 from me too. |
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Smiling Assassin
Posts : 89 Join date : 2012-07-06 Age : 46 Location : Western Australia
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:30 pm | |
| Good review. I ordered some a few weeks ago to try, but not received them yet. Thought the new aluminum base ones, have the threaded plastic top in them now? As I bought some aluminum base ones and some spare threaded tops.
I am supprised they are not more popular with Phil Taylor using them. It is strange that no other current Unicorn sponsored player uses them! Cant wait to try them, but it looks like people either love or hate them.
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:10 pm | |
| as far as I know the aluminium ones are not threaded but are perma attatched so they are tossable when the plastic breaks, unless they released a new one. |
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madzkymadz
Posts : 105 Join date : 2012-01-25
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:14 pm | |
| nice review, buddy. been using slik stiks stems since the beginning of my dart life. Note: Harrows flights can fit to the slikstiks. |
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:06 pm | |
| yeah dunno which brands dont, because I used to get alot of grab bag flights and alot of the slims were alot longer same with kites and stuff.
I know vortex ones fit really well though too |
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Smiling Assassin
Posts : 89 Join date : 2012-07-06 Age : 46 Location : Western Australia
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:33 pm | |
| Just got some new Aluminum Base slik stiks. The new ones are threaded on the top now, so you can just replace the plastic tops. Had a throw with them on my darts and really like them. Like the way how the plastic gives when another dart hits them. Really good if your darts land horizontal in the board, like Dean Winstanley and Phil Taylor. |
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:13 pm | |
| ooh cool bet the alum ones are prob cheaper too |
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:16 pm | |
| Can you link me to the alum ones with replacable tops, still cant find them |
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Smiling Assassin
Posts : 89 Join date : 2012-07-06 Age : 46 Location : Western Australia
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:21 pm | |
| A180 have them [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]Also I got mine from pure dart [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] 1.41 ex vat and 1.69 in vat. Is it really worth getting the phase 5, sigma pro or magnesium slik stiks if they are 5 times more expensive? |
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:39 pm | |
| the TI ones are just coated steel(heavy) so prob not. However, the Mag ones are super super light.
Wasn't sure when I saw that on pure since it didnt say replaceable tops. I like that the alum ones come in short too. Going to buy some of those |
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Sp
Posts : 137 Join date : 2012-10-29 Age : 44 Location : Stourbridge, West Midlands
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:04 pm | |
| had some of the nylon ones.
played in the pub with a tiled floor.
bounceout, slikstik snaps, never used since |
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paddydub
Posts : 84 Join date : 2012-08-16 Age : 57 Location : West Coast Canada, via Dublin Ireland..
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:19 am | |
| Been using phase5s for bout 3 years now , hard to get used to in the beginning due to the flat trajectory and darts landing above the top treble number and trying to convince myself to switch for cover, i was easily convinced after having so many darts on the floor, because the dart on its way to the board would deflect and loose its momentum, point being i love them but they do take getting used to...
Good review Vallyr..... |
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Watsontotty
Posts : 169 Join date : 2012-01-22
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:58 am | |
| Been using phase 5 stems for as long as they have been around and i swear by them and not sure i would use anything else. Took a bit of getting used to at the beginning but since then im more than happy with them although they are expensive.
Had no problems with them and replacing the plastic tops is great, they last for many years the base part that is, ive used them for so long im not sure if my new darts would go better with a different set up as im currently not using my phase 5 rosso darts so i could well experiment but im a massive fan. |
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getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:19 am | |
| Maybe I should have giving them longer, I never liked them at first so never kept my set for long. But maybe it was more the weight? |
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paddydub
Posts : 84 Join date : 2012-08-16 Age : 57 Location : West Coast Canada, via Dublin Ireland..
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:29 am | |
| Its a personal thing needed to be done in the off season... |
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Watsontotty
Posts : 169 Join date : 2012-01-22
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:31 am | |
| i moved across to them when i got my phase 5 and it took a while before i got full used to them and now its second nature no matter what dart i throw its phase 5 titanium stem and i would say try again but give it a week or so and you WILL be hooked. |
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getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:33 am | |
| worth another go I think. |
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Watsontotty
Posts : 169 Join date : 2012-01-22
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:43 am | |
| One thing i would stress is that you will need to try as many different flight styles and shapes as the results differ massively so give everything a try and after a few days you will find something that works best and after a few more days im confident you will never go back. |
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getagrip
Posts : 8793 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 54 Location : North Yorkshire
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:49 am | |
| Cheers for the info! |
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Smiling Assassin
Posts : 89 Join date : 2012-07-06 Age : 46 Location : Western Australia
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:05 pm | |
| As a matter of interest. Does anybody put O-rings on the metal part of the slik stik, that screws into the dart barrel? Or do you find that the slik stik doesn't come loose as often as standard aluminum shafts? |
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spat66
Posts : 619 Join date : 2012-07-31 Age : 58 Location : Middle Georgia, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:29 pm | |
| I use o-rings - they always came loose for me without them |
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Watsontotty
Posts : 169 Join date : 2012-01-22
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:51 am | |
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Vallyr
Posts : 323 Join date : 2012-09-01 Location : Washington, USA
| Subject: Re: slik stik stem review Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:10 am | |
| 0 rings ...Always on all shafts regardless |
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