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I ended up taking advantage of the True rebate and picking up a pair of the TF9's in a 6.5W. The W width seemed really wide to me (which is what I need). I'd say the True W width is similar to a Bauer Fit 3 but the shape of the front of the True's are different from Bauer or CCM to me. It doesn't taper in slightly where the toe cap meets the boot on Bauer or CCM skates but rather, stays the same width. Also, it seems like it's a deep boot overall. There is enough volume in the top of the toe box where I think I'm going to use PowerFoot inserts to take away some of that space. The insoles I'm not sold on. It's definitely nice but it's a bit thick and you have inserts to attach for the arch (medium or high). Not sure how they will work out but I'll give them a shot.

So I had the first skate on my TF9, so here are some quick thoughts: Baking had quite the impact on length - before baking I was feathering the toecap even when knees-over-toes, after I don't feather them even sitting upright. The new standard tongues don't work for me - created an instant pressure spot on the top of my instep, both before and after baking. Switching the footbed (didn't bother with the inserts for arch support and went for Superfeet Yellow) and tongue (classic VH felt) to what I was used to from my custom VH, the fit of the skate was very similar. Not sure what to think of the symmetric Shift holder and Steel after a single session. I didn't bottom out, the edges felt responsive, but top speed was lacking. Will try again in a few days. Comparing my TF9 7.5R to my Vapor 1x (1st gen) 7.5EE, I'd describe the fit as follows: Length: Pre-bake very comparable, Post-bake the TF9 feels longer. On the Bauer I couldn't go for 7.0, on the True I think I could pull it off post-bake. Width forefoot/toes: Pre-bake the TF9 felt narrower (constant pressure on the pinky), post-bake the TF9 ended up feeling slightly wider. Width heel: Don't remember pre-bake, post-bake the TF9 even untied does provide good heel lock, while the 1x needs to be tied down heavily in the 3rd & 4th eyelet. Comparing my TF9 to my True_V1 (1st gen under their banner, integrated shot blockers) and VH_V2 (2nd gen) custom skates I'd say: The felt tongue feels superior to the new stock tongue. The lateral stiffness of the True_V1 is significantly higher, of the 2+ years heavy used VH_V2 is about identical. The facing containing the eyelets is more "relaxed" (more gradual) on the TF9, but the eyelet positions seems to be essentially the same. The soft edge ("comfort edge" with other manufacturers) is slightly bigger on the TF9 Fit and finish on the TF9 is excellent, while with the custom skates you have loads of excess glue, blemishes in the clear-coat, etc. Visual: The carbon fiber on the customs looks to be a significantly "smaller" weave Visual: The 1st gen VH had a completely "flat" bottom between the front and rear tower mounting surfaces, while the 2nd gen forward had a raised area (also containing the drainage holes) that probably increased stiffness, while the TF9 has a "flat" bottom again. Tomorrow I'll maybe have some time on my hands and will measure, weigh and so on, but from a purely subjective PoV: The TF9 feels like a very good skate, with thermo-formability that more than rivals my Easton Mako 2 (that one I had to clamp down to achieve comparable heel lock), and stiffness slightly lower than the custom model. After switching the laces, tongue and footbed to what I was used to, they felt like my 2nd hand custom skates. It hugs your feet in an incredibly comfortable way, and will surely soak up plenty of the 2nd hand custom model market. I just got myself a True_V1 set in good condition in a similar size, but with the VH+Step holder. Will I switch to the TF9? Right now the Step holder and steel felt better, but I have not had the TF9 profiled yet (since no-one over here does profiling.....). So while the first impression was that the custom with different holder+steel+profile performed better, I'll give the TF9 a couple more tries.

I really appreciate the support, guys. The amount of friends, memories and knowledge that I have from MSH is unreal. Much love and respect

With the new fit im a fit 3 but in the previous Bauer lines I was a supreme EE or a Nexus D but heels on the nexus were too wide. If you can try out the True skates in both width. You're on the cusp where I’d guess you would be a D width in True but could go either way. As far as sizing goes. I was 6.5EE in Makos and a 6.5 in Bauers and CCM and i ended up in a 6.5W for Trues. One thing i noticed that’s really different from the Makos Is the toe box area. The Trues dont have the liner/extra snug Feel up on top of the foot like the Makos.

7.5R TF9: 263mm 8.0W TF9: 272mm The MK2 was quite a while back, after running and dropping some weight I dropped an entire size, so very hard to compare today. I used to skate in 8.5EE Mako 2 at the same time as 8.5EE Vapor XXXX/x:60/x7.0, went to 8.0EE in 1X (1st gen) and then 7.5EE in 1x (1st gen as-well). So sadly no current comparison, but I remember how the boot felt very well.

For you Canadian folks, www.hockeysupremacy.com is having an insane deal for trues. They currently have an automatic 20% site discount on a bunch of stuff sans CCM and Bauer elite. This applies to true tf9 skates. AND you can stack the true discount on top of that. Works out to be just over 400 CDN. For tf9s!!!! Also applies to other true stuff as well.

That's the way to do. Something I'll consider especially if they can offer a cheaper unit.

It’s going to be a lot smaller

Surprise to hear that inline is on the decline but I guess being in Philadelphia area we have hockey all year round for both ice and inline. I'd never do dek hockey mainly due to spare my shins and knees the unnecessary wear and tear.

Habs played really well last night. Kulak has been a force.

I went from the cheap Sheerwood which nearly got me killed, got a shoulder to the chest when my head was turned and was coughing for about six weeks after. Went to a JOFA which was a tank but way to bulky. Down to a CCM mid price point which was OK. Then I found the CCM CL shoulder pads and could not be happier, I don't even know they are on and they have saved me at least twice with no problem.

Thank you !!! One thing I can't stress enough is aggravation I have been having with the Sparx sharpened blades after about a year and a half of non-commercial use. It's gotten to the point where I started taking our blades to a guru every couple of months to have them "doctored". All because after a while of continued Sparx use I started feeling flat spots, ringles, and other crazy things I remember from way back when when steel was crap and women were happy. I can't put a price tag on that. Good to see MSH is very much alive and happy after some 4 - 5 years away :-). I will post a review of the ProSharp Home after we run it for a couple of months. Thanks again ALL!

I agree. The cost of the unit and wheels is more but the cost per sharpening skates is less. I think it all depends on how much volume you're gonna do. I'd you're doing 1-3 skates a week the Sparx is better. If you're doing 10+ skates a week the ProSharp is likely better.

I bring my portable prosharp to the rink for every game and sharpen everyone's skates on my team. My SUV has a 12V outlet. Each guy kicks me down 2 bucks and I use that for our team beer money after the game.

I finally got my TF9 in the right size (7.5R) and hope I can try them on-ice tomorrow. Also got a second pair that was too wide and large (8.0W) that will go back to the shop. I'll try to do a quick comparison to my two sets of custom 2nd hand VH/True skates tomorrow as-well.

I've seen some guys use power inverters in their cars (and Sparx even sells one). I really should do that for our next tournament.

@mojo122 or someone else will have to confirm. We dont have any intermediate Ultrasonics in stock at this time and will likely not be getting any as its too costly of a skate to stock and I would personally rather push a player to CCM or TRUE at that price. Yes, as you can probably guess. I am partial to CCM and TRUE over Bauer for skates. The CCM 90-day satisfaction guarantee has been a huge benefit to many customers looking to buy a top end skate.

This is definitely true. Rinks have been shutting down consistently for a decade+ around me. I'm sure this covid shut down is going to be a dagger for a lot of these rinks too. That said, I don't get dek hockey and I only know of one place here that has an adult league and it's mostly the result of having a lot of extra space in their facility and enough roller rinks already

No idea why anyone would want to run when they can fly around on wheels. This comment correlates with my waistline after 4 months of covid lockdown