jimmy

Good news for those who don't like the aggressive pitch of the Makos, the STEP version is neutral, so that will remove 1 degree. No more having to profile a reverse pitch to back off on the forward feel. But even if with the STEPS one feels too far forward, there is plenty of height on the STEPs to profile as well.

Three words, "Don't do it" No measurable improvements. Funny I don't see the LS2.1 runners on any bauer skates anymore. The longer runner was nothing more than a marketing gimmick.

I haven't been following the details on Blackstones adapter but I would guess yes it will work on a BM.

I can only relay what many have told me who tried the Blademaster copycat after skating on the original FBV. Many even thought they were getting the real FBV because the shop lied to them or was not upfront about it being the BFD. Virtually all said they liked the FBV better. Still, only way for you to know is to try both.

Here's a pic of the bolt attachment from the inside. It lays flat and doesnt really protrude and is covered by a decent amount of foam then the liner. Doesn't look like a shot in this location would damage you any more than a shot in a area without the bolt. The anchor sits pretty flush so even if there were no foam over it, it shouldn't dig into the skin.

Everything Chadd said is exactly correct. Easton does not copy Bauer, and the Mako is unlike any other skate. The reason it sells so well is that it fits so well. It is by no means stiff, it may appear that way because it fits so conformed with the foot. It molds like no other skate and this is why it fits so well. Simply the best skate I have ever owned. Easton has recently offered a 30-day trial, if you don't like it you can return it to your store for credit toward a different skate. It's a no brainer to try one, plus they know once you do, you'll be hooked.

Simply putting an aggressive pitch on your Vapors is not going to mimic a Mako exactly, different boot cut, different fit, different holders. I think you'll be wasting your money getting steel for your vapors. Wait till the II's come out, and skate in them. It will only take 3-4 outings to determine if you like the pitch.

Why not just get the Makos (if they fit you), skate on their stock radius/steel. Then if you don't like the pitch, just have them profiled then and have some of the pitch removed with that profile. This way you don't have to dick around with lifts or reprofiling. I wish I could get $100 for a profiling, I'd be rich!

3 degrees pitch total on the mako, Vapors do not have a 12, they are a 9' from factory. But yes, changing from a 12 to a 9 would be very noticable.

You can't judge a Mako fit till they've been molded, and they really have to be molded to fit correctly. Don't worry they can be molded over and over again. Badnews though, they really cant be stretched long.

Your post is funny, there is no "Mako Bump". If in fact it was a design problem, virtually everyone with these skates would have it. I don't and have had my Mako's since March. I pretty much sold out of the Mako's in my store and not one customer had the "bump". How come? The skate may not fit perfect on everyone, but it does fit perfect on most. Perhaps it's just a few people who post on boards. I wouldn't worry about it. And no, Easton is not taking trade-ins on the MakoII.

The 2's have a thick felt tounge. I'm not sure how you could put in a different tounge since it's not sewn in like conventional tounges.

Calm down. The real is not that you made it up, rather that one can't take everything they read on boards and assume it's a widespread issue. It's common that more negatives are posted on boards and that skews the truth about the product. Not just on hockey boards, but this trend is virtually on every board out there. Every product will have issues, but boards tend to amplify them. That was and is my point.

One store had so-called returns, others none. You can't assume what you read on a board is a widespread issue. There are so many variables, were the skates heat molded correctly, correctly sized, amoung others. From what I've seen this skate is pretty durable and has very few issues if any. Perfect, nope, just like all othe brands, every once in a while a bad one is out there.

I see it totally opposite. The MLX looked like it was made in a garage, heavy, no clean lines and ugly. The Mako is well made and looks good. I agree not eveyone likes orange, future models will no be the same for sure.

You are correct 3 degrees total.

You are out of luck my friend, the Makos must be tried on, they fit so different than you'd expect. Mine were a 1/2 size off than what i expected based on conventional fitting. You could get them from one of the online stores that offers free return shipping if they don't fit.

Not fiberglass, carbon fibre. This is used to make skates light, unfortunately a tradoff is when hit, it can crack.

There is not just one profile, every skater get a customized profile for them. But it doesn't matter because pitch is a separate adjustment so it doesn't matter what the profile is.

I beg to differ. Plenty of steel to remove the pitch on the steel, no difference than say to add pitch to a Bauer. I've done this to quite a few Mako's. When I spoke with the Mako designer, I questioned him on the pitch on the steel and commented that it should be neutral and then let the player decide if more is needed, especially there is pitch built into the holder. He was a firm believer that aggressive pitch would make a better skater. Skate manufacturers cannot even get their radius, pitch and pivot points to match on 9 out of 10 out of the box skate pairs. Steel is mass produced by subcontractors, and is all over the place in regards to matching the so-called factory radius. If they labeled them, the labeling would be incorrect. Fine tuning and balancing is best left to a radius professional who can match it to the skaters style and needs. I suggest you visit your shop and simply have them put the radius you want on them and reverse the pitch. Even if you put LS2 holders on them, there is no guaranty what pitch you will end up with and then they may not feel forward enough. Either way you are likely going to need a profile, it's short money so why not.

People spend more money to get their $900 Bauers to work properly as well. Nothing new, especially for balance issues which are pretty common. They chose the aggressive pitch for the Mako because they believe it works well for a majority of the skaters. For those who it doesn't, a simple profile can correct that. No prob. I don't think this is common but some skaters may get it, especially if they were coming from taller skates. We went through this same conversation years ago with the Kor's and likely will with VH as well. This happens when going to shorter skates. The skin is just not tough in the lower area yet. The key is to limit further rubbing until the bruise heals (silicon or neoprene works well for that). I don't think the tendon guard has anything to do with it, and rolling the top is not a better choice than neoprene.

Oh, you implied a bump similar to the famous Bauer Bump which is not at top of the boot. Can you post a pic of your problem area?

Sounds like the skate is too big.

Sounds like you are in the wrong size.

I realize they had to make them orange to make them stand out at the rink and on TV so the little minds full of mush can distinguish them from all the other cookie cutter skates, but honestly it is hurting sales as a certain percentage of people will not be seen in orange even if the skate was the most comfortable thing ever (which it is BTW). They should have offered replacement tendon guards in all black.