Christian Brothers, Inc. of Warroad, Minnesota (Hockeytown, USA), a leader in hockey equipment, uses a variety of modern materials for their hockey stick shafts, but the custom-curved blades are formed of wood.  To overcome wood's susceptibility to the relentless pounding and flexing of competition, Christian's "Diamond Slapsock^®" uses a glass fiber wrap that strengthens both blade and shank while maintaining the important flexibility of the business end of the blade.  Woven glass fiber cloth wrapped around the blade would be effective, but hand wrapping, trimming, and finishing would be labor-intensive.  The choice of a braided construction permits assembly in one simple operation. Finish sanding is required only on the large end of the blade, compared to sanding of multiple seams on a woven cloth reinforced blade.

Christian called on A&P Technology to supply custom braids.  The tubular construction suggested the word "sock" and the 45 degree braid angle made a diamond pattern.  A&P added to the "Diamond Slapsock^®" image by braiding in a black nylon yarn in a diamond pattern.  Bill Christian says that, to some consumers, the black stripe looks like carbon fiber, adding even more high tech mystique.

In production, a "shepherd's crook" is used to draw a length of braid over the end of the blade.  The braid is manually drawn down to fit the shank end.  The braid conforms perfectly to the shape of the blade and the glass is impregnated with epoxy resin and cured.  If a name or logo is required, it is silk-screen printed on the surface.  Tests run by Christian on "Slapsock^®" and blades reinforced with woven glass show the Christian Slapsock^® to be lighter in weight, thinner, and yet 20% stronger in bending strength and 15-40% stronger in impact resistance.  When the braid is drawn down to fit the shank, the braid angle is changed, adding more longitudinal strength in the shank area for better breaking resistance.

Because A&P Technology has the capability of weaving in colored patterns, Christian called on them to develop some innovative color patterns.  There is a special multi-colored "Olympic USA" version, a blade with double diamond pattern in blue and red, an all-black blade, and three goalie sticks with solid colored blades.  Braids add service life, identity, and flair to the Christian Brothers blades while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

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