krisdrum

Yep. I do like the way it gives pretty consistent surface to hand contact throughout. But growing up a tennis player the "bite" of the edges of the stick I think is what I miss. Even though a more squared shaft creates some gaps between hand and grip, at least I know how my blade is oriented because I can feel the edges. With the super round, for me, it is a lot harder to tell.

Hills nailed my experience with the super round also. I have smaller hands and have experimented with intermediate sticks for awhile. The 70 flex is great for me, but I do not like the shaft shape. It feels squirrely in the hand and I tend to overgrip because of it. it is the primary reason I am considering going for a full custom order and change to the round square shaft, but keep most of the rest of it the same.

Bauer's move to the 3 fit system since you bought your skates. You can get a higher volume Vapor, but it will also be wider (similar fit to the old Nexus skates). CCM has also moved to a similar approach, but it seems like there might be more variance model to model for CCM than there is for Bauer, based on some of the comments in here. I'd also add the True Catalyst to your list. My son just got a pair (has usually been a Vapor/Ribcor fit) and he really likes them so far. Might also consider the True TF series. I have high insteps and these are the first skates I've had zero lace bite in. The TF series seems to run longer and wider than the Catalyst series.

I am assuming the hole patterns between Shift and Shift Max holders are the same, but can someone confirm? Considering making the switch as I've noticed my Shift holder and steel have been squeaking/popping when walking lately.

I'll pile on here, instead of starting a new thread ... struggling with feeling too upright. Like my balance point is too much towards the heels and when I try to get up on my toes, it takes more effort. In a pair of True TF9s, size 4 (I have tiny feet). Came from some Graf 535 in a size 5 (longer holder and blade), and don't recall feeling like this. Believe the True stock radius is supposed to be 9'/10'. But blades have been sharpened for awhile, so who knows where they are now. Would like to try a profile that helps me get a bit more aggressive. Thoughts?

Totally. Was using a P88 for the last 5+ years. 6 months ago tried a P90TM and with a minimal adjustment period, haven't looked back. I am seeing them less and less it seems. Pretty soon everything retail will be either a P92 or P28 clone or variation.

The JRZ seem readily available in Canada, but not down south. I was looking at getting some for my kid's new Trues and they were nearly impossible to find what I wanted in the US. Found them in a few places on line in Canada, but none of the places would ship to the US or it was cost prohibitive.

Thanks for the input. It's funny I was looking at that "Twice Your Speed" program I always see advertised on social media, but the reviews of the site and experience are less than flattering. Feed the Cats looks legit. I'll have to check it out. And I have a slideboard sitting in the basement, time to break that sucker out.

Yeah, I am rethinking my approach for the spring/summer a bit. Tennis will definitely be a part of it. Especially if I can be conscious of body position and balance. With that and the 2-3 times a week at the gym, my kid should be pretty good. Maybe some little stuff to fill in here and there. I just need to figure out some stuff for me. Probably roller/Marsblades to work on technique. Not growing up playing, I am at a distinct disadvantage. Thousands of hours missed moving my body on skates. I'm sure just getting in better shape would help me period. I'm sure I'll figure something out.

Not to be obtuse, but how is sprinting on land going to work on form and technique that translates directly to ice? I guess body positioning is somewhat similar from start, but the motion and muscle activation is different, no? Sprinting on land you are driving your leg directly back. A lot of glutes and knee drive to recover. Stride on ice is more angular from the hips, no? I can see sprinting directly translating to first three steps, but full stride and body position, I'm not convinced. Happy to be corrected if I am missing something.

I'm pretty short (5-6), so have come to feel that even a 75-77 flex is a bit too stiff for me when cut down. I can use it, but don't think I get the same performance out of it as I do out of the 70 once cut down. I also don't think getting an extended stick and cutting it down will change the flex feel compared to the same stick at a standard length, once both are cut to the same length. So far, very happy with the 70 flex yellow line. My only real complaint is the shape of the shaft in my hand. I'd rather have the rounded square or square.

I have 2 70 flex yellow lines - wanted to try two different blade patterns (Benn and McKinnon). I like them a lot. Especially for the price. Not a huge fan of the super rounded shaft, hence thinking of going full custom. I don't think I want to bump up to the 77. My kid really liked the Red Line custom I got him. Held up well through a full season of AAA peewee hockey as a defenseman (on ice 4-5 times a week). I have found the flex to be pretty spot on. I have a pro stock 75 flex Jetspeed low-kick and the Pro is a bit whippier. In fact my kid found the Pro to be a bit whippier than his 55 flex Jetspeeds for the same flex rating. I went with mid-kick for him, so that could be why. The Pro mid-kick seems like it is positioned on the shaft more similar to a Tack. He seemed to take a bit more time to load. I think we'll try the low-kick next time. Planning an order once we get through try-outs.

See if you can find a roll of "helicopter tape", designed to protect helicopter blades from damage. Similar to what your phone screen protector film is made of and many cyclists who ride carbon fiber frames use it to protect their bikes from road or trail debris that could impact their frame and crack it. I have TF9s and haven't had any issues with the carbon areas. Although I play very low level and probably am not in the situations that would cause damage very often.

Bumping to top - before I buy a second set of standard SS blades. Does anyone have a source for JRZ Pro Black DLC blades for True Shift Max holders in the US? I've found a few in CA, but none of them will ship to US. The True branded blades seem to have inferior coating based on your inputs - so ruling them out. The JRZ sound promising. I could do Bladetech again, although not sure they are doing the Max version yet. I've always had a 2nd set of steel for my son since he was big enough to be in skates with a release. We did a set of mirror and standard SS Bladetechs for his last pair of Ribcors (I had the standard SS before they switched over to the mirror being their lowest price point). The mirror seemed to hold an edge better for him - or I could be crazy. He just picked up Cat 9s and will need a second set for them. He is 12, about to be 13 in June. Outgrew the Ribcors before the end of the season, but was able to push through the last few weeks. I am fully expecting him to outgrow the Trues before the end of the upcoming season. High quality DLC sounds awesome, but not sure the value is there given how he is and will be growing the next few years. If I could get a pair of the JRZ, I might be down to try. If not - no brainer to stick with SS and call it a day.

Quick update: He tried a bunch of stuff on. CCM 100K (Regular), Machs (Fit 1 and Fit 2), Catalysts, TF9s. His face lit up with the Catalysts on his feet. So that is what we are going for. They didn't have the 9s in stock, so we are just waiting on them to come in.

Yeah, been keeping him in 2 pairs of quality stainless for awhile now. Just thought if we were buying new skates, like the Machs that don't come with steel if I should go for the Pulse Ti. We just got back from trying on a bunch of stuff, and this looks like a moot point, as I think we are going to get him a pair of Catalyst 9s. He liked those the best of all the stuff he tried on back to back.

Thanks all. Very helpful. My kid has been on Bladetech for the last year or so. Non-DLC. No real complaints. I sharpen his stuff on a Prosharp. But as you saw in other thread - he needs new skates and just wanted to understand all the factors.

Any real difference in what Bauer is using as a coating on the Pulse Ti blades and what other folks are using in their DLC coatings? Haven't played in the Bauer pond for several years now and just want to make sure I understand any similarities or differences.

Even bake, sharpen, use, etc? Didn't realize that. Great reason to buy from them.

Thanks all. I think we are just going to have him try on a bunch of stuff and see what works for him. It is too bad Bauer doesn't offer the "fit guarantee" like CCM and True do. But we'll see what he likes and go from there.

Looking for off-ice indoor workout equipment to help work on form (stacked position) and power (stride length and recovery). Looking at slideboards (like the BRRRN) or a Power Skater (re-released by Stryd). Anyone have experience with either? Both? Thoughts?

Thanks. He tried on some True Catalyst 9 and liked the way they felt, without baking. Being a TF9 user myself (and I love them), would be great to get him in those, but he doesn't like change, so wanted to make sure he tried the CCM stuff on before committing. Given the stores limited selection of Ribcor, he wanted to wait.

Hey boys, been awhile. Just got back from Quebec with my son, who is growing like a weed and needs new skates. Currently in 80k Ribcors in a 4.5. They measured him up and he now needs a 6. Ouch!!! Amazed he didn't say anything sooner. He really likes the way the Ribcors fit and perform. This is now his second pair. They had very little in the way of stock in Ribcors and one of the sales guys mentioned they were discontinuing. Anyone else hearing that rumor? Or did CCM just not make a lot of them this year and waiting on the new year to ramp up production? Since he is in older Ribcors, have been reading up on the new CCM fit system as well. They had a Bauer scanner and he came out as a fit 1. Looks like I should be looking for Tapered CCMs for him? He has a pretty narrow foot, but a wider than average heel. Or see if I can get him to try both Tapered and Regular? Sounds like the fit and feel does change depending on which line we end up in. He relies a lot on his agility and edgework, so I'm assuming a softer boot would be better for him.

Ah, that changes my previous thoughts. If it is a package deal and retailers are "forcing" you to get steel (either basic at no charge or upgrade), then CCM should take the entire skate, including steel back if you use the 90 day policy. It sounded like there was an option to purchase without the steel. But if steel is "included" and you have the option to upgrade, then I see it as 1 purchase, not two.

Yeah, again, worth asking and trying to make the case for them taking the purchased steel as well, I just don't have much confidence you'll be successful in making that a reality.