A tapered shaft is just as strong as a non-tapered (or standard hosel) shaft as long as you are using the flex rating, blade pattern, and lie of the blade that are correct for you and your style of play. If any one or more of those specs are wrong, you will be far more prone to breaking sticks and/or blades since your shot mechanics will be seriously altered by the improperly chosen equipment.
As with any mass produced product, you could always end up with the occasional defective shaft that breaks within the first couple of uses. Don't let that deter you or sour you to that particular shaft. Most manufacturers offer a 30 warranty on their shafts and sticks to cover these types on problems.
The only real difference between a tapered and non-tapered shaft (other than a few grams of weight) lie in where it is designed to bend when taking a shot (called the kick-point). Most non-tapered shafts are designed to bend around the middle of the shaft (mid flex) while tapered shafts are designed to bend much lower or as close to the bottom end of the shaft as possible. The thinking behind tapered shafts is that a lower kick-point means a harder more accurate shot with a quicker release than standard hosel shafts. Therefore, due to the increased performance, the more a shaft or stick costs, the lower the kick-point.
2 inches
yes
the curve from the shaft to the tip of the blade
By applying heat to the shaft at the end of the stick where the wood is to be removed.
On the hockey stick, you have the shaft (the part you hold), and the blade (the part that touches the ice). In the blade, you have the Heel, which is the part connected to the shaft. Then you have the toe, which is the tip of the blade, or the end which does not connect to the shaft.
The area near the bottom of the shaft where the width of the shaft decreases as it gets closer to the blade.
No, a player will get penalized for continuing to play with a broken hockey stick. Sometimes, a hockey shaft and blade are two pieces and can be replaced. Otherwise, you usually have to get a new one.
Not meaning to be facetious, but the answer is to buy a new, longer shafted stick.
Obtuse.
This depends on the flex rating/capability of the stick shaft, the strength of the stick blade and the power of the player shooting the puck.
Yes, Tacki-mac produces a rubber sleeve called a Command Grip that can be used for the upper shaft of your stick instead of hockey tape. They also produce a product called Attack Pad which replaces hockey tape for the blade of your stick.
No. Some manufacturers taper the shaft to accept only their own blades.