VegasHockey

January 23

7 hours ago, Bernard said:

Yes - the Wissota pink grinding stone. It's 80 Grit. In rephrasing my question - What grit is the Blade Master purple colored wheel - 80 or 100?

Grit is not the only factor, the wheel composition is even more important.

January 21

9 hours ago, Leif said:

I tried some TF9 today, I’m normally a 7 EE (standard width in UK) in Bauer stock supremes. To my surprise the 6.5R was too narrow at the toes, a 6.5W much better. My toes were almost touching the toe cap. He’s getting in a 7W for me to try. Should I go with a just brushing the toe caps? This is a long thread, I read some of it, and I get the impression they will ‘stretch’ a tad on heating. And I assume the heating will improve the heel lock, I’m sure I read that the shells mould more than Bauer (which don’t mould much at all).

They’re doing a 30 day money back guarantee which is amazing, and they are half prize here.

Always test fit retail TRUE skates with a bake. Trying them on without baking will result in you getting the wrong size.

January 21

10 hours ago, x-axis said:

No, Wissota has their own version for $275

Oh yeah, I forgot they made that unit.

Honestly, it's a toss up, as both machines will get the job done equally. If you are going to be transporting the unit, the Blackstone has an overall better design, IMO.

January 20

11 hours ago, x-axis said:

Not trying to hijack this thread...anyone think the Wissota 911 portable is good enough over a Blackstone portable that is about 1000 more?

I am an experienced sharpener...over 10 years. Will be for personal use and teammates. Will do FBV and ROH.

Are you going to buy this to do FBV?

https://shop.blackstonesport.com/spinner-system-adapter/product/convertible-spinner-system

If so, that puts the price of the Wissota above the Blackstone machine.

January 19

1 hour ago, Bernard said:

I currently own a Sparx (1^st Generation) and a Wissota 911. I originally purchased the Wissota to sharpen skates as I have 2 boys that play hockey in addition to myself, and the nearest rink is 40 minutes away. The Wissota initially sat around a few weeks and then I purchased a Sparx machine as the Sparx trend gained momentum in 2018. I figured I would sell the Wissota on Ebay, but I am glad I did not. The Sparx worked fine on the Bauer LS3 runners but as my kids advanced to the Black Step Steel and Bauer LS Pulse TI the Sparx was “ok” in my humble opinion. I finally blew the dust off of the Wissota and learned how to use it properly. My boys are satisfied with my product for the most part, but they love the sharpening that the Blademaster machine provides with the Blademaster purple wheel. Does the Wissota blue wheel (100 grit) provide a similar finish or is there a 3^rd party out there that sells something similar for Wissota? Also, anyone ever use Parduc wheels for Wissota?

100 grit would be nice for a very fine finishing pass, but you could get the same result with these wheels and using some finishing pass oil or wax.

https://wholesaleskatesharpening.com/product/grinding-wheel-wissota/

https://wholesaleskatesharpening.com/product-category/sharpening-lubes/

January 18

Just now, psulion22 said:

Is the FT Ghost available in P90TM? The FT5 Pro blade is way too stiff and puck feel is terrible. I like the Jetspeed line (though the FT5 Pro feels much more like a Trigger) so I’d like something with the softer blade. I’ll wait for the FT7 but would buy a Ghost now if I could get that curve.

Not available at retail.

January 14

2 minutes ago, start_today said:

Wouldn’t it matter where ankle foams finish wrapping your ankle? The edge of the boots can be the same height, but if the foams stop at different heights and the cuff flares beyond that, wouldn’t that change the effective height?

Correct.

January 14

11 minutes ago, iceman8310 said:

It’s crazy how big pure hockey is now. When I worked there, they only had 10 stores

They now have stores in every single NHL market in the US. BTM in AZ was the last hold out, but they recently sold too.

January 14

3 hours ago, Sniper9 said:

Are the vapors generally higher or lower cut than the Supremes. In this case, are the hyperlites higher or lower cut than the machs?

Vapor is lower cut than the Supreme.

January 14

5 hours ago, iceman8310 said:

BAHR going out of business?

Not shocking considering Sharks Ice and Pure Hockey own the entire market share up north. It's hard to be a small business owner when the big brands make it nearly impossible to get accounts, limiting your ability to order or carry product.

January 12

On 1/9/2024 at 11:20 AM, JAY4114 said:

How’s the lie of the p14 compared to a p88?

P14 and P88 are the same lie and overall blade profile. Very flat.

January 12

On 1/10/2024 at 7:41 AM, Sniper9 said:

Doesn't it have a significant amount more padding as well.

I wouldn't say more padding, just higher density foams.

On 1/10/2024 at 5:26 AM, mojo122 said:

I would categorize it as tweaks to the tongue and HyperFlex outsole plus the new PowerFly holder.

Agreed. Incremental changes.

Quad II vs 10-13 Profile · January 12

On 1/10/2024 at 3:58 PM, Radien55 said:

Yes that makes sense. I don't want to be too much on my toes either, so 20mm might be too much. I think I will try with 10mm. Thank you!

I have a couple of questions on pivot point and pitch. Prosharp said you can move the pivot point back 5-20mm, they also said you can add forward pitch by 0-1 degree angle.

Question 1: When should you move the pivot point back XXmm versus adding +1 degree of forward pitch? I understand they are different methods of achieving a similar goal but when and why should you use one over the other?

Question 2: On a combo profile, the 13' radius starts in the middle of the blade. If you move the pivot point back 10-20mm, does the 13' part start later on the blade?

January 12

2 hours ago, Vet88 said:

An issue that often doesn't get covered with bent steel is the sharpening. In general, when using a hand sharpener the holder will straighten the steel. Depending on the design of the holder this could happen all the way to the toe and heel or at least 90% of the blade will be straight. However with the popularity of automatic sharpeners such as Sparx and Prosharp Home and Prosharp Skatepal Pro, the blade holders in these machines are much smaller. They clamp the middle portion of the blade which allows the toe and heel to bend away. It's why a lot of shops will check the level in the middle of the blade but not at the toe or heel, they know it's bent but it just isn't worth the hassle to explain the how and why to the customer (or an employee).

I come across bent blades all the time and have built a clamp for my Skatepal Pro to hold bent blades straight as I sharpen them.

That's why I use this when I sharpen

https://shop.blackstonesport.com/custom-skateworks/product/free-runner

January 9

6 minutes ago, noupf said:

He's in a youth size 13 and will be in them for the next few months most likely.. He currently has full gear that fits him well. Since we are getting free gear head to toe, i was going to size up for him by one size on everything, so he has all new gear once he outgrows what hes in now. He's growing like a weed, so I think size 1 in the skates is what i was going to order and it says JUNIOR size 1 on the order form. I know his jetspeeds are YOUTH size 13 with the 13' radiu,. but again, i don't know what skates will be supplied with the NHL / CCM learn to play program. I assume inexpensive entry level and the ones i see all say 10' radius, which is why i inquired about the possibility of the changing radius on skates without removable blades. Thanks for chiming in, i appreciate it.

So he is going from youth to junior. All CCM junior skates are 10' but Bauer does 13'

https://www.bauer.com/products/bauer-x-ls-skate-junior

https://www.bauer.com/products/bauer-x-lp-skate-junior

If you get Bauer, you will be fine. If you get CCM, take them to a local store and get them profiled to a 13'. I am a big fan of putting kids of that age on a longer radius.

January 9

18 hours ago, noupf said:

two questions really....

1) Does anybody know which skates come with the NHL / CCM Learn to play equipment packages via Pure Hockey? @VegasHockey maybe?

2) My local pure hockey has a pro-sharp profile machine. Can I get the radius changed on junior skates if the blades can't be removed?

Reason i ask is bc I just signed up my 5 year old son for the NHL learn to play program at our local ice rink. With the sign up fee comes a complete set up of gear from head to toe, including skates. I currently have him in a youth size 13 entry level jetspeed skate that has a 13' radius. He skates ok for his age / skill level, but from what i gather it looks like all the lower price point CCM skates come with a 10' radius and I'd like to keep him on a 13' radius a little longer. Since we already have gear that should last him another 6 months or so, i'm going to go one size up for all the gear that comes from CCM / Pure hockey, including the skates.

Anybody have insight on this gear?

Thanks !!

What size skate is he? Some skated in youth sizes keep the 13' profile.

Quad II vs 10-13 Profile · January 8

19 hours ago, Radien55 said:

I have skated in Supremes and Vapors, mainly the latter. I have good acceleration and agility, my strides are short to medium length so I'm good from zero to medium speed, above that my game really suffers, I feel a lack of confidence and stability (although my new AS-V seems to help here, better fit and stiffness, less wobbly). I play in recreational league for ex-players.

I am in size 9 skates with 280mm runners. I use single 10' and I like it, but I want just a little more contact patch to aid grip, speed and stability, without hindering lateral mobility too much. I have skated a lot in Detroit 10-20 and while I liked the speed, and stability on crossovers, I felt flat footed, immobile and the extra steel really hindered lateral moves.

I want something between the two (maybe closer to the 10'), that adds speed, stability on crossovers and can also handle lateral direction changes. I skate backwards a lot so many pivots forwards to backwards need to be accounted for, hence why I am looking at the Quad or similar, over a Zuperior or 13' which might feel too long. The Quad 0-1 shave off way too much steel for my liking, seems like it would lead to short and choppy strides as you run out of steel on the toe to push off with.

The 10/13 seems good in that it doesn't have a shaved toe, so it's familiar territory. The Quad II shaves off the least amount of steel, which is why I am looking at that one, despite being in a size smaller runners than it is recommended for. Does the 7' toe make it less stable to skate backwards? I also worry that the 16' in the rear might be too much and close to the Detroit feeling.

I want to get a pitched profile for the Tacks so I can change easily change from neutral to pitched (and back) with a simple blade change. A non-pitched profile for the Vapors or they will be too much on the toes.

I would do a 10/13 profile and have the pivot point moved back 10mm.

Quad II vs 10-13 Profile · January 7

On 1/5/2024 at 4:28 AM, Radien55 said:

Has anyone here skated on both? Is there a big difference?

I registered here recently, but I have been reading the forums for a couple of years, especially everything regarding the Prosharp project. Fascinating reading I must say!
The 10/13 combo profile is rarely mentioned and I could not find anyone here or elsewhere that talked about skating on it.

Combo: --10-13---
QUAD II: 7-10-13-16

Combo 10/13 is 10 in front and 13 in the rear, while the main and middle portion of a Quad 2 is 10 and 13.
According to illustrations of the Quad, I think the 13 part starts before the middle of the blade, so a little earlier than a combo profile where it starts in the middle of the blade. Other than that, they are on paper very similar on the main part of the blade. Theoretically, if you profile a 10/13 to the same pitch as the Quad, they "should" feel very similar, but without the shaved toe and extra steel in the rear.

The 10/13 combo seems like a great compromise, the speed and glide of a 13' without the agility penalty. However the lack of popularity has me wondering. There are very few people talking about it and most shops don't even have the template.

I'm curious if there is anyone that has skated on it, or both profiles, that could share their opinion on it and maybe the differences between the two?

I have used both and they are somewhat similar.

The Quad has an adjusted pivot point, -20mm, so it moves the center of gravity back. The pivot point adjustment and more aggressive toe, 7' radius, pitch you forward. The 10/13 without any adjustment will feel more flat, and you will be less agile.

What type of skater are you? Long strides? Short strides? Agile? Powerful? What level do you play?

January 5

6 hours ago, raganblink said:

In my career I have sized up approximately U8s 4,500 times. More or less. The ratio was approx this -

1,500 out of a box starter kits in Youth sizes

3,000 kids one piece at a time

From fitting properly, we were able to get most of those 3,000 kids into properly fitted gear. Some parents were insistent in buying something too big "so they can grow in it" , or they came in in May when I haven't received a pair of youth medium elbow pads in 3 months and we have to go with a large. Of those 1,500 kids who got sold a starter kit, I probably changed sizes over 200 times. Usually because the kid is too fat. But some of the brands have been very awful in scaling of sizes, ie elbow pads too big compared to the shoulder pad size, or shin guards with straps too short, or pants too big, etc. The others I fitted I doubt half of them fit great for every piece, I am positive a lot of mis-sized gear is out there with it.

The core issue of those starter kits is in order for them to be financially feasible for the LTP market & retailer to have a "kit", is this is made as cheaply as possible in order to make margins, as it is razor thin at this level of equipment. This gear therefore has faults such as sizing inconsistencies or issues with the product itself being defective. It does accomplish its goal though - it gets more kids into hockey by introducing players at a lower barrier. It serves a valuable purpose that cannot be overlooked.

Stating that, I have yet to find a full set of youth kits that are proportionate w/ good quality at that right price. There are better kits than others, however, if you can afford it, my recommendation is to size each piece of equipment individually. A lot of LHS do deals as in "Buy X amount of youth gear get % off" or something similar. It rarely goes on sale but when it does, buy the next size up of what your player has right now if they like it. Don't get greedy, just get the next size up on sale. Youth gear discounted is dirt cheap.

As far as kits go, the new Bauer kit is one of the best I have seen. For any player under the age of 4 I think it would be more than sufficient.

https://www.bauer.com/products/vapor-xtend-youth-kit

January 5

21 hours ago, CigarScott said:

Greetings all,

My twin 2 year olds are going to be starting learn to play hopefully in the next year and I'd like to get them on the ice in some stick n pucks sooner than that. I'm trying to weigh my options for how to outfit multiple kids without having to sell a kidney.

I've looked at the Bauer VAPOR X-TEND PROTECTIVE KIT and the comparable kit from Sherwood as well as True. I like how Bauer expands in size so it should, in theory last several years but I also like Sherwood being built into base layers which we'd have to buy anyways and it should be more mom-proof in case she has to help dress them. Anyone have any experiences with these or any other gear for your little ones? Should I look at going one these routes or try buying used?

We have a relatively small hockey community where I live so used gear isn't as plentiful as it would be in, say Toronto or Boston and I don't think buying on Ebay or Sideline Swap will be that cost-effective once factoring in shipping costs.

They are good for LTP kids, especially at that age.

January 5

4 hours ago, JAY4114 said:

How’s the rocker and openness compared to the p90tm?

There is no rocker, it's very flat like a P88.

The blade opens a lot at the toe, like the P90. It slightly more open than the P90. It is definitely a curve for a shooter.

January 4

21 hours ago, Neo5370 said:

Probably a preference thing. Sakic preferred a soft blade, though I think he was more the exception than the rule.

Majority of high level players (NHL/AHL/D1) tend to prefer softer blades. Softer blade allows for more accurate shooting; the puck stays on the blade longer for loading, which increases accuracy, especially helpful on one-timer as well. It also makes it easier to receive hard passes.

Understand though, what works for Player A may not work for Player B.

For example, I got a bundle of pro stock sticks from Mackinnon. Some of them have softer blades, others are very stiff. You can sometimes "feel" how stiff the blade is, which will give you some insight as to the blade construction without having to cut the blade apart. Maybe he uses one stick for PP when he knows he will be taking more shots and the other is for general use. Who knows? He also varies his flex quite a bit as well.

December 31, 2023

14 hours ago, Westside said:

Wasn’t expecting that tight of a wrap, just looking to see if it was possible to get a better wrap than i currently have

You might be able to get a little more wrap, but it technically defeats the design of those skates, since they aren't built to wrap tightly.

14 hours ago, Westside said:

Might try to make the trek to the local pure hockey next week and ask to use their oven

That would be a good idea. While you can do it yourself at home, if you damage the skates, then you won't be able to file a warranty claim.

December 31, 2023

45 minutes ago, JAY4114 said:

I was actually thinking of buying a lower end true to test the curve and hopefully get better durability than their higher end models. Is the lie actually a 6 or does it feel lower? I’ve read both from other places.

Its a 5 lie.

December 30, 2023

On 12/28/2023 at 8:21 AM, flip12 said:

I'm leaning towards putting heel lifts on mine. I like the holder, but I feel like I'm not forward enough, especially on starts. My favorite holder and steel spec has been the classic Graf Cobra 11' radius with aggressive pitch. Does anyone have a suggestion on how much of a heel lift I should request to achieve that feel on my Cat7s?

If you want to test the heel lift before making significant modifications, you could buy these:

https://www.thisissoul.com/products/superfeet-heel-lift

If you want to just do the heel lift, I would start with 1-1.5mm

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