I have had the 85-flex Savard curve for a few months, and I haven't been disappointed in any way. I like the Savard curve because if I had one that was open-faced, I'd never keep the puck below the crossbar. The flex is a great thing, adding a little more to every shot. I'm horribly hard on sticks, but it has withstood some decent slashes and slapshots. The only reason I gave the design a 4 is because I also have a Warrior Swizzle, and the Nipple-Grip is an amazing thing. I am not suggesting the AK's grip is unsatisfying. As expensive as this stick is, it's worth the money.