Choosing the right floorball blade depends on three key parameters: its shape (concavity), overall stiffness and the type of plastic used. Put simply – if you are a technical player who values perfect ball control and accurate passes in tight spaces, go for softer polypropylene (PP) blades. If, on the other hand, you’re a power shooter who likes to take slap shots, hard polyethylene (PE) blades will be ideal for you.
In this guide, we will explain the differences between all the materials in detail and show you how the different materials and stiffness levels are labelled by the most popular floorball brands.
Contents
- 1. Left or right blade?
- 2. Basic parameters: Shape, hook and concavity
- 3. Floorball blade materials (PE vs. PP)
- 4. Blade stiffness: Which one is right for you?
- 5. Brand by brand: How to understand their materials and stiffness levels
- Frequently asked questions
1. Left or right blade?
Before we get into plastics and blade curvature, we need to clarify the most important thing: which side do you play on? Choosing the correct blade side (handedness) is simple and depends on how you hold your stick.
- Left grip: If you hold the stick with your left hand lower down, closer to the blade, you need a left blade. The blade's toe will curve to the right.
- Right grip: If you hold the stick with your right hand lower down, closer to the blade, you need a right blade. The blade's toe will curve to the left.
2. Basic parameters: Shape, hook and concavity
Once you know which side you play on, it is time to look at the actual shape of the blade. This directly affects how well you can shoot, pass and control a bouncing ball. Focus on these three main parameters:
Concavity
Concavity is the recessed area on the forehand side of the blade (when looking at it from the top edge towards the bottom edge). It determines how much the blade “wraps around” the ball.
- Deep concavity: The ball will stay securely on the blade, which is especially useful for wrist shots and quick dekes. The downside is weaker backhand play, because the blade is naturally more convex on the opposite side due to the deeper concavity.
- Shallow concavity (flatter blade): An ideal choice for playmakers and distributors. It provides excellent and accurate passing, easy ball control and much better backhand play.
Factory Hook
All modern blades come with a certain amount of pre-hooking from the factory, so you can take them straight from the shelf onto the court.
- Playing without modifications: The factory hook is designed to suit most players. It makes shooting and ball control easier without requiring any modifications to the blade.
- Custom modification: If the factory hook is not enough and you want the blade – for example, the toe – to be more curved for drags, you can easily modify it at home. Carefully heat the plastic in hot water or with a heat gun and shape it exactly the way you want. Once you are happy with the shape, remember to cool the blade immediately in cold water so that it retains its new shape permanently.
Toe shape and heel stiffness
- Heel (the part next to the shaft): It should be as stiff as possible. A stiff heel ensures that the energy from your hands and the flex of the stick are transferred directly to the ball, so your shot does not lose power.
- Toe: It is often shaped and slightly curved inward to prevent the ball from escaping from the stick during dekes and drags.
3. Floorball blade materials (PE vs. PP)
Plastic is the basic building material of floorball blades. Manufacturers use two main types, which differ in weight, ball feel and how smoothly they glide across the playing surface:
PE (Polyethylene)
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Properties: A more traditional, highly durable and easily mouldable plastic.
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Behaviour on the court: It is slightly harder and naturally more slippery. This allows it to glide better and prevents it from catching even on more grippy synthetic surfaces (PVC, rubber, Taraflex).
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Who is it for: Players looking for a durable blade with a more direct response and reliable smooth glide on any playing surface.
PP (Polypropylene)
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Properties: An extremely lightweight, flexible and usually matte plastic.
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Behaviour on the court: It provides softer contact, absorbs impacts very well and the ball hardly bounces off it. On grippy synthetic surfaces, it can have slightly more friction, so its advantages are most noticeable on smooth wooden floors.
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Who is it for: A perfect choice for technical players who demand excellent ball feel when deking and controlling the ball in tight spaces.
4. Blade stiffness: Which one is right for you?
Blade stiffness has a major impact on your shooting, passing and ball control. The basic classification is simple, but treat it as a starting point – every manufacturer uses different materials and constructions, so stiffness levels vary slightly between brands (you will find the exact details for each brand below).
Soft blade
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Who is it for: Technical players, players who rely on dekes in tight spaces and beginners.
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Advantages: Excellent ball feel, with the ball barely bouncing away during control.
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Weakness: Under heavier load and powerful shots, the blade twists, reducing both accuracy and power.
Medium blade
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Who is it for: The most popular and versatile choice for most floorball players.
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Advantages: A balanced combination of good ball control and sufficient stiffness for shooting and passing.
Hard blade
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Who is it for: Power players and shooting specialists who rely on slap shots.
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Advantages: High stiffness, minimal twisting and maximum energy transfer directly into the ball.
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Weakness: Requires good hand technique; otherwise, the ball tends to bounce off the blade when receiving it.
5. Brand by brand: How to understand their materials and stiffness levels
Each manufacturer uses slightly different terminology. Here is a clear guide to the individual brands to help you navigate their range.
FAT PIPE
The blade itself is often marked only with a more general designation (such as PP or PE), but in product descriptions or on labels you will come across these specific variants:
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PP Soft / PPS (Soft): Soft plastic designed for maximum ball feel and control during fast and agile play. It is not particularly suitable for powerful slap shots.
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PE (Medium): A classic medium-stiff blade made from polyethylene. Of the basic materials, it offers the best glide across the playing surface.
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PP Boost / PPB (Medium): Compared with standard PP, it glides better and is slightly stiffer.
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PP Hard / PPH: Approximately 20% stiffer and more slippery than the PPB version.
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SLICKS (Combined material): A special construction – the blade body is made from PPB for stiffness and control, while the lower strip is made from PE for maximum glide across the surface.
FLOORBEE
- PP & PE (Medium or Soft): Floorbee offers both materials in soft and medium versions. These blades are marked PE or PP.
UNIHOC
Unihoc distinguishes its blades with clear names based directly on the properties of the material:
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Feather Light PP (Soft): An extremely lightweight and flexible blade offering excellent feel in the hands.
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PE (Medium): A classic medium-stiff blade with versatile characteristics for shooting and passing.
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Titan PP-TI (Hard/Stiff): It works almost like an effective combination of PE and PP plastics. It provides highly efficient power transfer directly into the ball during shooting and powerful passes.
The blades are marked with the moulded designations PP, PE or PPTI.
ZONE
Zone uses a clear classification based on the basic properties of the plastics used:
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PE: A slightly heavier material than PP, giving a harder feel when handling the ball.
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PP: A lighter option offering softer contact with the ball and excellent shock absorption.
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PP-H: Retains the low weight of standard PP, but its higher stiffness allows it to hold its shape better during shooting.
SALMING
Salming offers a wide range of blade variants, including environmentally friendly materials made from renewable resources:
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Endurance (PE – Medium): Classic polyethylene material with medium stiffness.
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Endurance X (PE-H – Hard): An improved version of traditional PE with greater elasticity and overall stiffness.
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Touch (Medium-soft): A more environmentally friendly material made from 50% sugar cane.
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Touch Plus (PP – Soft): Soft polypropylene designed for precise ball control.
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Touch X (PP – Hard): A newer, hard version of PP designed for more precise and powerful shooting.
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Biopower (Hard): A hard material made from sugar cane.
Specific blade designations: OXDOG and EXEL
While most brands specify stiffness using standard terms (Soft, Medium, Hard) or the plastic designation (PE, PP), Oxdog and Exel use a specific classification in which the blade construction also plays an important role:
OXDOG
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Normal Blade (Soft – HDPE): A durable material focused on ball control. Designation: NB.
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Medium Blade (Medium – PP): A lightweight and stiff blade for all-round play. Designation: MB.
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MBC / NBC (CPB – Carbon blades): Oxdog incorporates carbon plates into these blades. They increase torsional stiffness, preventing the blade from twisting even under heavier loads.
EXEL
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Soft Blade (Soft – PE): Here, the manufacturer uses an interesting exception – the soft version is made from PE plastic (which is itself harder than PP). This allows the blade to glide better across the surface while maintaining better power transfer during shooting than conventional soft PP blades.
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Medium Blade (Medium – PP): The medium-stiff version, on the other hand, is made from PP, giving the player excellent ball feel and significantly less rebound when receiving the ball.
Choose your floorball blade 🏑
Now you know how to navigate the different shapes, materials and stiffness levels of floorball blades and what to focus on when choosing one. Check out our floorball blade selection and choose a model that fits you perfectly, complements your playing style and gives you the confidence you need when shooting and passing.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I tell what material my blade is made of?
Some blades have a moulded or embossed marking directly on the blade (for example, the letters PP or PE). However, this marking is missing on some models and brands, and the exact material is listed only in the product description or on the label of the new blade. If you are not sure what material or type of blade you have on your floorball stick, don't hesitate to contact us – we will be happy to help you identify it!
Can I install a blade from a different brand on my floorball stick?
According to the official IFF (International Floorball Federation) rules, the shaft and blade must always be from the same manufacturer (for example, a Salming shaft must be fitted with a Salming blade). If you play in official competitive matches, mixing different brands is not permitted. For recreational play, it may technically fit, but to maintain the stick's intended playing characteristics, we always recommend using a blade from the same brand.
When is it time to replace my blade?
Replace the blade when it is significantly worn and the bottom edge has become noticeably thin (creating a risk of cracking), when the plastic is cracked, or when shooting and physical play have caused it to lose its original stiffness and it starts twisting uncomfortably during shots.
How can I safely heat and shape my blade at home?
The safest method is to submerge the part of the blade you want to modify (usually the toe) in hot (not boiling) water for 1–2 minutes, or carefully heat it with a heat gun from a safe distance. Once the plastic softens, shape it by hand to achieve the desired hook. Immediately afterwards, place the blade in cold water so that the plastic cools quickly and retains its new shape.
What is the maximum permitted blade hook according to the rules?
According to the official IFF rules, neither the blade hook nor its concavity may exceed 3 cm (30 mm). To measure it, place the blade on a flat surface (such as a table) and check the largest gap between the table and the blade at the point of the hook.
Which blade should I choose for a child or complete beginner?
For beginners and children, soft to medium-stiff blades are the best choice. They make ball control easier (the ball does not bounce off the blade as easily), help players learn the basic techniques of passing and shooting, and are more forgiving of technical mistakes with the hands.
How do I replace the blade on a floorball stick? Can I do it myself at home?
Yes, it only takes a few minutes. Simply remove the screws from the blade neck, pull off the old blade (if it is stuck, warming it with a hair dryer can help), fit the new blade and tighten the screws.
If you don't want to do it yourself, we will be happy to replace the blade for you – either on a new floorball stick directly when you purchase it, or on your existing stick at our store. Simply use our Necy Blade customization.