Graf 707 and banana blade profile questions

[Nealoc187 10]

I found a pair of brand new in box graf 707s for $150 that I tried on last night and really liked the fit of. This skate had never even been on my radar before, last night was literally the first time I've ever tried on a Graf skate, and i tried on about 5 different pairs, some used, some new: 707 7.5 brand new felt great, 735 7.0 (lightly used) put my foot to sleep, 705 6.5 (moderately used) felt good but a little tight around the forefoot, G5 7.0 (brand new) my foot felt like it was swimming in, G3 6.5 (which was comfortable but the workmanship on it looked shoddy to me, looked like the outsole wasn't glued to the boot accurately). 707 in 7.5 was the most comfortable for me. Haven't decided if I am going to buy them yet. The only other boot that was as comfortable as the 707 in 7.5 for me so far was a Supreme 190 in 6.5, of course that's a $700 skate, big difference between $700 and $150... not sure what gives with the extreme size difference there but whatever - those two have been by far the most comfortable skates I've tried on in my quest to find some new ones.

I am used to skating on Micron Mega Air 90s and Bauer Supreme 4000s, both well worn in, both with what I have seen here termed "banana blades" i.e. no real profile to speak of just a very gradual curve to the blade.

So i'd like to get an actual profile done, something that is measurable and able to be duplicated next time I need steel. I have no complaints about the banana blade shape. It's what I'm used to and I'm a strong technical skater so I don't really want to "change" anything, and wouldn't be changing anything if it weren't for the fact that when I try to turn hard nowadays with the steel so short that I end up touching the side of the outsole on the ice, and sharpeners are starting to tell me i'm on the verge of being unable to sharpen these any further.

So what profile is closest to a banana blade shape while still being something that is ground to a specific shape and that I can have duplicated in the future? I have brand new Tuuk custom+ holders and steel that I could have profiled, and if I get these 707s I will also have the Cobra 3000s that they come with holders and steel unprofiled (and my understanding is that custom+ will swap directly on to Graf bolt patterns if I so choose). Regardless of if I buy the 707s or if I stick with my old school Air 90s or try 10-90s (I still have extra pairs of brand new in box Air 90s and 10-90s but I've kind of got a desire to try something new and different) I'll be profiling new steel very soon here. I understand it's sort of hard to recommend a profile on the internet without a knowledgeable profiler actually observing your skating technique, but that is probably out of the realm of possibility here in chicago, if there is a good LHS with people who are that knowledgeable and willing to do that sort of thing around here, I haven't found them.

Also what sort of workmanship problems should I specifically be on the lookout for with Graf skates? After reading about 30 threads on here last night and today I'm seeing a lot of complaints about Graf Canada workmanship. If I buy these 707s they are not going to be through an LHS, just a local play it again sports so I highly doubt warranty applies (I think these skates are many years old, just never purchased or worn by anyone).

[SpideyDiG 8]

Nealoc,

My old skates were the Grafs 707's and I really liked them. My were size 10.5 Wide. I had them for 15 yrs and just switched to the Mako 2's just over a month ago. I never had any problems with my Grafs until a few yrs ago when the insides of both skates by the toe, the outside liner came off. So making the part soft and exposed to pucks. I never had anything else go wrong on them. I never replaced one rivet, actually they have screws. I can still wear them today, yes they look bad now, but I can definitely skate fine on them still. They have seen many hrs of hockey over the 15 yrs. Just make sure you air them out and take the insoles out every time and you should be fine. I was definitely thinking on getting the new Graf 9035's or the VH's but settled for the Mako 2's. If you buy them you should easily get 5 yrs out of them and $150 is a good deal since they are brand new. Just get them heat molded and they should feel even better.

[jimmy 194]

The closest you can get to a banana shape using a radius template is probable a 7' radius and then have the toe/heels shaved down.

[shooter27 116]

I just have to say how jealous I am of the fact that you have brand new Air90's sitting around. I loved those skates to a ridiculous degree.

[Monty22 821]

You could also try skating on the un profiled steel and see if a longer radius suits you prior to shaving off a ton of steel.

[Chadd 916]

Seeing that size 6.5 Grafs fit you and did not cause discomfort due to length, I would question the 7.5 707 being the right size.

[Nealoc187 10]

Seeing that size 6.5 Grafs fit you and did not cause discomfort due to length, I would question the 7.5 707 being the right size.

I immediately questioned that as well (i actually grabbed them to try because the little sticker on them said 6.5, but the ink stamp inside the boot said 7.5 so I trusted that the ink stamp was correct and the hand written sticker stuck on them was wrong). I don't know how or why, but they felt completely comfortable. Didn't feel excessively long or loose or anything.

You could also try skating on the un profiled steel and see if a longer radius suits you prior to shaving off a ton of steel.

I haven't tried that with the grafs of course because i haven't bought them yet, but I did try that with my first pair of brand new Air90s that I got back in late 2007 and i couldn't do it... felt like I was skating on snow skis. couldn't turn worth a damn, toe picking all over the place, etc. it was bad.