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VegasHockey

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Posts posted by VegasHockey


  1. 12 hours ago, Paluce said:

    You havn't seen Blackstone’s new profiler that is coming out then… it’s superior to the Elite IMO.  Measures blades current pitch in degree’s, and you can adjust pitch from there like Skatescribe. It uses keyence sensors to detect steel height for the start of profiling, You can offset the pivot point like on a prosharp. It’s fully automatic. Can do several blades at once. And fast. 4-5 min to profile. Also fast to load. 15sec and you back profiling the next set. The elite is still using tracer bars like Blackstone. And Yes Skatescribe can do anything (except an elipse or an OMNI’s) 

    So there’s a reason Blackstone is in several NHL rooms. Florida, Washington, St.Louis, Islanders, NJ…. They do things very well. 

    I saw a prototype of the Blackstone machine. Is that machine still being released in 2025? At the time, I think it was not using Keyence sensors, but that's interesting they are going to incorporate them. Which sensors specifically? I imagine the design would be similar to this? 

    https://www.keyence.com/keyence-tv/Profile_Inspection_of_a_Blade.jsp

    https://www.keyence.com/products/measure/laser-2d/

    Elite has a new machine for 2025 that will supposedly operate without profile bars. I have yet to see it in person, though. 

    IMO, profiling bars and the process of manual profiling and sharpening is fundamentally outdated. But I am an engineer, so I think a vast majority of the tools used for hockey are significantly antiquated. Humans make mistakes and industrial machines, if properly designed, calibrated, maintained, and properly operated, can eliminate operational inefficiencies while increasing consistency. 

    Skatescribe should be able to do anything, even Ellipse and Omni, you would just need the actual measurements. I don't think there are any patents on Ellipse or Omni profiles. 

    The current machines on the market can still benefit from significant design adjustments, I think. 


  2. 8 hours ago, marka said:

    Howdy,

    So, I finally baked one pair of the TF9 skates I've had for a while, since my TF7s were showing some more significant signs of wear.  And then started using them.

    I don't like the thin TF9 tongues, as it puts a lot of pressure on a bump on my instep.  I also don't like the thick felt tongues that one of the tf9 pairs I bought came with... I'm not sure of the name, but they're a thick felt with a sewn on metatarsal pad on the upper part of the tongue.

    I finally swapped in the tongues from my old pair of TF7s and they're just right.  However, when I search for TF7 replacement tongues I'm not finding much stock.

    Ice Warehouse shows some in size S, which apparently goes up to a size 5 skate.  I'm in a 6.5.  No stock on the Mediums, which starts at a size 6.  Does anyone know how dimensionally different the tf7 replacement tongues are size S to size M?  If its just how long the tongue is, I probably don't care.  and I have to tuck the sides in when I lace up as well, so if its just a bit narrower... Also probably don't care.

    Otherwise.. Are the felt cat 7/5 replacement tongues the same as the TF7 tongue, other than the color?  I can probably live with the color. 

    Edit: Are the goalie skate replacement tongues the same as the player skates?  I see some of those on SLS.

    Appreciate any leads / advice.

    Mark

    You are going to love the new TRUE tongues for 2024. They seem to be exactly what you are looking for. 


  3. On 3/21/2024 at 7:28 AM, Paluce said:

    What you felt on the Prosharp Quad is exactly why these were developed.  
    But these OMNI Profile bars are for Blackstone shaper systems and their new profiler that will be hitting the market pretty soon.   Shops are buying them and using them quite a bit. They’ve been sold to shops as far west as BC, here in Ontario of course, even out to Sweden. They actually have OMNI Zup bars now too. Those have a 20mm blend area between each transition to make that a smoother more gradual change. 

    Not sure why Blackstone even bothers anymore, as companies like Skatescribe and Elite are significantly better for profiling. Skatescribe allows for an indefinite number of profile options as everything is software driven. 


  4. 8 hours ago, CHIP39 said:

    I know this comes up a bit but are top end (or close to it) skates harder for younger players to skate in than their less expensive models simply because of the added stiffness?  My son is 9, about 85 lbs, and a very strong skater for his age group.  I bought him True Cat 5 (size 3)  for his last season because I assumed any more than that and they would be too stiff for such a little guy. Which was nice because they were way less than our budget. The  True Cat 9 (size 3.5) are what I am looking at, but I still have the thought of them being too much skate.  They are cheap and he loves the fit compared to anything else we tried on.  What are your experiences with junior skates?  

    Cat 9X would be fine for him. TRUE adjusts the stiffness of the shell for the size of the skate (junior/intermediate/senior)


  5. 11 hours ago, start_today said:

    If they add volume to the those fits, doesn’t that mean that people who fit well into fit1/tapered will get pushed out the other way, and skates will have too much volume?

    The brands don't care. They are trying to make two fit offerings that cover 90% of players, and anyone who needs something more narrow or wide can order custom.

    Basically, we are going back to the two standard retail fits like we used to have previously. lol 

    • Like 1

  6. 20 hours ago, pgeorgan said:

    Custom Bauer don't come more narrow and with less negative space than their retail options. The Ultrasonics are fine for me, but I probably won't be able to fit into anything else going forward if they just keep getting wider and wider. 

    Bauer and CCM are both trying to phase out the Wide and FIT3. Both brands have been adding volume to the FIT1/FIT2/Tapered/Regular options. I would imagine by 2025 you will not be able to buy a FIT3 or Wide skate at retail, and it will require a custom skate order. 


  7. On 3/4/2024 at 10:16 AM, iceman8310 said:

    So am I the only one that shoots like this?  since i was in 8th grade in 1998 to present i've always shot off my toe.  I used the easton euro tip wood blade, and have transitioned to the kovalchuk pro stock curve since.  the closed toe.   I always would do a pull in curl snapshot/wrist shot probably in 1998 and still do to this day.  We had a big basement and a shooting and net pad and I would always try new stuff.  I would use the toe of my blade and create a sling shot type motion.  

    I've been looking at other curves.  Do you recommend changing curve or keeping the same?

    If it works for you, why change it? 


  8. 18 minutes ago, Drezulk said:

    I wanted to try runners with a bigger radius for more stability together with the possibility to change back to ones with the standard profile. But checking the prices for new (I could not find used parts) Edge holders and runners including the cost for changing the holders this approach does not make sense as you already mentioned as the cost is equal to the price of a new pair of Bauer Supreme 3S Seniors...

    So did I understand correctly that the "Pro" holder is actually a downgrade from the non-pro Lightspeed versions?

    Then another alternative could be to change to a normal Lightspeed II holder and drill a hole in the heel to access the nut as these holders and runner are much less expensive. But even this would still be quite costly so I will have to rethink if this is worth it.

     

    It would be cheaper to find a slightly used pair of skates with a quick change holder. Check out https://sidelineswap.com/shop/hockey/skates/skate-size-10-senior/l386726

    • Like 1

  9. 45 minutes ago, Sniper9 said:

    I don't deny true sticks and skates perform well. But I stand by durability issues. It's well known a documented with their sticks and also their catalyst skates. To the point where at one point every cat pro skate had additional cf fibre wrapped on the stock shell... The skate issue seemed somewhat hit or miss ill give you that. But their sticks don't last. At all. Unless your definitely of durability is completely different than mine. A stick should last more than two weeks.  And I'm talking at the retail level, not pro stock as I have no experience with their pro stock. 

    In my experience, TRUE sticks break about as often as CCM, Bauer, and Sherwood. There are a lot of variables that account for stick breakage. Its not just the level of play, but the position, size of the player, etc.

    For example, it is not uncommon for Centers in the NHL to use a beefier and heavier stick as compared to someone who plays Wing. 

    As for the Catalyst skate issues, I think TRUE went too thin on the shell in an attempt to play the "weight savings game" and it blew up in their face. The 2024 Catalyst skates are very impressive, and I don't think you are going to see any of the same issues. I have been testing a pair for a while now, and the durability is very good. 

    20240227-102714.jpg

    • Like 4

  10. 14 hours ago, Sniper9 said:

    Good for Svh... But True is making a name for themselves as the brand that doesn't last... They really need to smarten up with durability with all their "extensive access to r/d"

    I know plenty of players that use their products and have had no issues, from recreational to professional levels. Historically, TRUE has had some bumps in the road, as all companies do when they are growing, and I understand that you and others have likely experienced some product defects. However, the vast majority of players have not had that same experience. I don't think its fair to use such a small sample size to determine if a product is or is not durable.

    An interesting story. I have some TRUE prototype sticks that have no logos on them. One person I skate with who played NCAA D1 dislikes TRUE as a company. There was no specific reason; he just said he had tried their sticks before and didn't care for them. In a recent game, he broke his primary and backup sticks and asked to use one of my extras. After the game was done, he told me that the stick was one of the best he had ever used and asked me if I could order him a few. You should have seen his face when I told him it was TRUE. It was TRUEly priceless 😜

     

    • Like 1
    • Haha 2

  11. 15 hours ago, Leif said:

    I think you misread some of my remarks: 

    2) I referred to non-sponsored players to indicate that their skates were not free. I also used the phrase “I wonder if” to indicate that I don’t know if it is genuinely profitable. When you say it is very profitable, where does that information come from? 

    3) I know CCM has one piece boots and high thermoformability, and did not say otherwise. (I’ve only read about it on this forum, never having worn CCM boots.) 

    1) Fair enough, I read a biography of him which didn’t mention MLX. That said, he started out in a small company, and I know from experience of working in many small companies that it’s hard to scale up. Cash flow is your enemy, invest huge amounts without the sales and you’re finished. I guess that’s why he went custom first, you build on demand. You don’t need to tool up a large factory and build large quantities. Shops are loathe to stock inventory of expensive products that are unproven. I was chatting to an owner of a local shop, he said they hate top end stock boots. When the new range comes out, they have to sell off old stock on discount, and margins are low, hence they will lose money.

    Scott started by initially building custom skates to establish himself in the market and provide players with an option for a better fitting and performing skate. Not saying that other skates didn't offer high performance, but some players were skating in significant pain, even in the custom skates, and many of them considered hanging up their skates due to constant foot problems. Once he built up the brand enough, he sold it to TRUE Temper, as they were looking to expand into the hockey skate market and had extensive access to research, development, engineering, materials, and distribution. He is a very smart individual and has a bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters in Biomechanics. What I find most fascinating about Scott is that, while other brands are constantly duplicating similar efforts in design, and getting similar results, he likes to think outside the box. 


  12. 1 hour ago, Leif said:

    I’m sure that’s mostly, or maybe completely, true. 

    The True skate was pretty much developed by one man and his dog in a shed, and they had no previous production experience. Bauer buy in tech such as CarbonCurv. The advanced hard foam in my Bauer 2S Pro shin pads is polystyrene. The soft squishy foam is bought in tech. They also seem to spend a lot of time designing somewhat dubious features such as CarbonLite blades. In addition Bauer spends a fortune on advertising and sponsoring players. And I do wonder if supplying non sponsored NHL players is genuinely profitable.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Graf had the nous to figure out how to produce carbon fibre skates, they understand production on a smallish commercial scale. But they would be expensive. And they would need a decent selling point. True has thermoformability and one piece. True outsource their stock TF7 and TF9 skates to China, I assume they do the same for stock Catalyst and Hzrdus skates too. 

    Graf has carbon fibre skates, the Peakspeed line.

    https://grafhockey.com/skates/ice/player/peakspeed-pk7900/

    The issue is that their overall technology is still lacking significantly compared to TRUE, Bauer, and CCM. 

    In regards to how Bauer spends their capital and the overall profitability of that company, understand that none of the big brands are good generating significant revenue. CCM and Bauer are riddled with acquisitions and financial failure; look at their histories. The main reason is that there is not enough market penetration and not enough players. 

    • Hockey in the USA: <1M players  
    • Basketball in the USA: <23M players
    • Baseball in the USA: <15M players
    • Football: <7M players

    As someone who has owned multiple retail hockey stores of various sizes, a large hockey store would be any retail location that does more than $1M in gross sales annually. A friend who owns a similarly sized retail store (store square footage and addressable population density) makes about $5M. Its also significantly easier to sell baseball, football, soccer, and basketball equipment as compared to ice hockey. 

    2024-02-25-10-48-47.jpg

    • Thanks 1

  13. 5 hours ago, shoot_the_goalie said:

    I have a custom and a retail.  I don't notice the difference in weight, except that one has a visor vs a cage.  If I had to guess, I would think the custom is slightly heavier, cause it has a more dense 3d lattice vs the retail version.  I would highly recommend the custom though over the retail, cause for the price difference, the custom is a much better helmet imho.

     

    Agreed.


  14. 4 hours ago, caseyjones said:

    As a big Graf guy who recently just went modern with Machs this video had me longing for Graf’s again.  If I were them, I would stick to the classic models and classic looks and just build them in composite form and some of the newer (sometimes gimmicky) features.  I think people are getting tired of the radical color designs on all the new skates (I was never a fan of this) and I think Graf would benefit there.  New companies moved to the 3 fit system whereas Graf has been doing this for decades with their different models of skates.  I would love a full composite heat moldable 707 with a 703 heel and original graphics.  

    The issue is Graf skates are the technological equivalent to a dinosaur. If they offered the same performance as other brands, we would see players of all levels using them more often. I had Graf skates when I was young and played prep at Shattuck and in the EJHL/ECHL. I loved those skates, and they worked well for me back then, but I assume if I wore them now, I would not have the same impression. 

    • Like 1

  15. 9 hours ago, Paluce said:

    So my boy has broken 4 proto R’s in 3 months. All in the shaft about 6-10” above the blade.  He’s only 75lbs and breaking 40flex sticks like spaghetti.  

    How are the sticks breaking? Off a faceoff? When shooting? When battling in the corner? Thats a significant number of sticks to break, which leads me to believe its not a defect of the product but instead associated with his style of play or position.  

    • Like 2
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