Technology Focus

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Materials

Carbon

Spooled Carbon

Carbon fibre offers the advantage of being light with high stiffness [stiffness describes how much a material deflects (or bends) under force], and high tensile strength [tensile strength is the force required to bend the material until breakage]. When used correctly Carbon is an ideal component for hockey stick composition contributing to delivering high ball speed [power for hitting, slapping, pushing] whilst light [stiffness to weight ratio] so contributes to reducing overall weight to enhance players ability to move the stick quickly enabling “quick hands”.

Carbon fibre has the disadvantage of being brittle [being brittle describes that a material when subjected to stress breaks easily] in a hockey sense this mean that from impacts the carbon fibres are easily broken from stick to stick impacts and from repeated ball striking, and secondly carbon fibre has limited vibration dampening characteristics.

These key disadvantages are overcome by how the Carbon is used and the use of Kraibon, Fibreglass, Aramid and The Resin Matrix in the composite Lay-up.

Fibreglass

Spooled Carbon Fibre

Fibreglass is the most common fibre in the composite industry.

It is heavier and not as stiff than carbon fibre but is more impact resistant and has a greater elongation to break than carbon fibre.

Fibreglass is used to control the flex, for its easy formability characteristics and high mechanical strength. These specifications make Fibreglass a crucial material in protecting carbon fibre from impacts.

Aramid

Aramid Sheet

Aramid fibre provides an exceptional impact resistance and is very abrasion resistant.

Heavier than Carbon, Aramid fibre is key in vibration reduction and fatigue resistance which make it a great addition to Carbon and Fibreglass in the Lay-up.

Technologies

Resin Pouring

The Resin Matrix is the process of moulding the stick where the resin combines both the chemical and physical structures of different fibres together.

When fibres and resin are combined they form a composite material with new characteristics that are better than the individual components.

Kraibon Technology

KRAIBON® is a thin film made of non-cross-linked rubber that hardens within the component laminate in the same production process.

Directly integrated in the stick's lay-up of the KRAIBON® forms a chemical and physical bond without any additional bonding agent.

Carbon Fibre

6K Carbon fibre only available for in the GXX TOUR Series is used as a reinforcement to maximise the strength properties of the hockey stick.

This fabric has an incredible strength to weight ratio and provides superior rigidity for great aesthetics.

Taboo Fibre

A-Tech is a woven material used in the TABOO Series which adds structural strength with a superior strength to weight ratio.

Shapes / Profiles

The GRYPHON shapes are designed for a specific purpose dependant on the player's style of play.

GRYPHON Shape Names

SHAPE

CLASSIC

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Mid Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 300 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 23 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Extended
  • HEAD SIZE: 120 mm Width x 78 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

A classic shape that provides an even profile mid bow and extended head shape.

It allows you to master the basics well with an emphasis on trapping and hitting at the highest level.

SHAPE

T-BONE

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Low Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 225 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 24 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Extended
  • HEAD SIZE: 120 mm Width x 78 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

Its low bow aid with trapping and passing while still allowing 3D skills to be executed with ease. The thicker shaft helps maximise power and consistency on the reverse, allowing high quality basics without compromising those high end skills. The extended head shape is fantastic to improve your trapping ability and skills on the reverse.

SHAPE

PRO-21

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Low Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 250 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 21 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Compact
  • HEAD SIZE: 120 mm Width x 78 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

The low bow to executing the basics skills at ease while assisting backend skills . A thicker shaft beneath the grip contributes to a better grip on the hockey stick while the edges have been refined for greater consistency in backhand shoots.

SHAPE

PRO-25

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Low Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 250 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 25 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Compact
  • HEAD SIZE: 120 mm Width x 78 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

The most versatile low bow to executing the basics skills at ease while assisting all dynamic skills (3D dribbles, overheads). A thicker shaft beneath the grip contributes to a better grip on the hockey stick while the edges have been refined for greater consistency in backhand shoots.

SHAPE

DEUCE-II

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Extra Low Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 205 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 25 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Regular
  • HEAD SIZE: 118 mm Width x 75 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

Designed with an extra low bow it allows a real ease of getting underneath the ball to execute those aerial skills and maximise your drag flicking ability.

This creates great deception when eliminating all whilst still allowing a natural feel on the ball.

SHAPE

SAMURAI

SPECIFICATIONS

  • SHAPE: Extra Low Bow
  • CURVE POSITION: 205 mm
  • CURVE PEAK: 25 mm
  • HEAD SHAPE: Regular
  • HEAD SIZE: 118 mm Width x 75 mm Length

DESCRIPTION

The grooviest of all our shapes, designed with a replica curve to the Deuce II, it combines this with a control groove up the shaft of the stick to maximise your dragflicking ability.

Merge these attributes together and you get the ball whipping down the unique concave face of the stick to get maximum speed and spin on execution. A slightly thinner toe on the head of the stick helps create extra flow when executing 3D skills

Head Shapes

GRYPHON Head Shapes

Curve Peak & Position

Gryphons Bow Shapes

Manufacturing Process

GRYPHON Manufacturing Process

1. Pre-Preg

The Pre-preg is created by adding resin to the composite fibre , also called pre-impregnated, it is a key part of the manufacturing process.

The Pre-preg of the different fibres are then cut to shape to meet the lay-up design. The process is crucial to achieve maximum strength and stiffness.

The precise and uniform resin to fibres ratio creates the chemical and physical bond in the moulding process.

2. Lay-Up

The fibre composition and lay-up are major components in defining how a stick performs. All the pieces of pre-preg are carefully shaped and arranged under specific map which is defined by each model design and mould shape.

GRYPHON's lay-up is the performance 'X' factor.

We do this differently, for us it's an art, it's a sixth sense based on years of experience and the knowledge of how to best achieve the desired result of power, and get a great crisp feel to allow that instant response from the players hands for exceptional ball control.

​Each range of sticks (TOUR, TABOO, etc) is crafted by the order and placement of each Prepreg piece to create a unique soul. The lay-up gives each stick range its unique character.

3. Moulding Process

The moulding process is where the stick lay-up and is placed into its corresponding physical mould for the moulding process.

The stick is created through the moulding process of high pressure and heat to create the desired playing characteristics. The pressure and its consistency during the moulding process is crucial in determining the sticks stiffness, strength and feel.

4. Shape

The shape describes the stick's profiles which is defined by :

  • The handle and shaft width and depth
  • The curve position and the curve peak
  • The head shape profile defined by its thickness, blade, profile and the length of the toe


The stick's shape covers desirable characteristics required by players to achieve specific skills with the ball. The sticks shape also influences the sticks stiffness and feel.

 

GRYPHON Shield

Our unique methods allow us to make the most powerful, most stable, and most responsive sticks.