flip12

I tried a chrome cage once and it was a major nuisance, though not because of the color but because of the glare. It reflected so much light it felt like 30 constantly moving tiny flashlights pointed at my face. I usually wear a black cage and don't really notice it. It's not like I ever forget I have it on, but I also never feel like it's interfering with my vision of the play or the puck. That blame usually lies with something not quite right with my stick setup.

Did you have all of those various steels profiled?

What is the new one’s material makeup? Foam, felt, and leather? Can you share some detailed views of it?

Ketchup, mustard, and bratwurst is the theme of this generation of Vapor sticks and skates, so at least it’s consistent if not really coherent.

Does the new tongue have a moderately stiff thermoplastic piece running 90% of its length like the MLX tongue had?

What improvements do you have in mind?

Absolutely Vapor 8.

I wouldn’t change that either. That’s another thing I think Graf gets more than the other skate brands...though I suppose it’s impossiblebto refute the simple counter-argument that other brands only make their skates stiffer than stiff across the entire boot because that’s what the customer wants; on the other hand Bauer and CCM have begun to walk back their overzealous boot stiffening of late. Again, look at Viking speed skates: they’re not nearly as stiff as competitors’ boots, but they’re still popular and skaters wearing them still figure in the medal count. They’ve meshed the integrated outsole-quarter piece and managed to maintain their optimal feel of stiff down low and softer on top. The marketing of the one piece boot is often a bit wishy washy, but I definitely notice a difference in high speed turning stability and more immediate response wearing my MLX compared to Graf. There are still things, previously mentioned, that I still prefer from my Grafs. But when I swap them out for MLXs mid-session, I feel the performance boost instantly. I’m starting to wonder if this has less to do with there being less material or fewer parts in the boot-holder junction and more to do with the boot better resisting torsion. I’ll add some visual materials to show where that thinking comes from in a little bit. I think I’ll have to dig around to find some images and also probably sketch some others. I just want to finish this monster post, “Sorry,” with this: whatever the cause, I definitely do believe in the benefit of the one piece boot...not that I think it has to be one chunk of a shell, but that the effect of those skates is very real, and I’d bet the future of hockey skates 10-years down the line.

Right. I’d try integrating the parts quarter A - outsole - quarter B into a butterflylike unit, leaving the heel part to be stitched up the same way they’ve been doing for decades. Viking’s heel cup is similar, but I picture the approach I’d try changing less about Graf’s assembly process.

I wouldn’t change the various Graf fits at all, just update the boots’ materials and construction.

I just wish Graf would do a monocoque boot, with an integrated outsole and quarter package.

Just wanted to refresh this line of this thread because I unsurfaced this while digging through Sport Maska (CCM) patents on Google Patents: Here's the patent, Skate and method of manufacture, from 2014: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2932864B1 That's the closest I've found to an inside look at what could be an indication of how CCM's OPBs are made. It's the same mold form I was envisioning creating that seam trace you can see along the middle of the shell.

IceWarehouse has the 4500 weighed in at 775g for a medium, compared to 975 for the True XC9, 1043 for the Bauer 2S, 1308 for the Bauer S190, 1459 for the CCM 7092, and 1577 for the CCM Super Tacks. I know weight isn’t the be all, end all, but that’s a huge savings. How does it compare protection-wise? *The heavier ones include shells. So maybe the difference isn’t so great after all. The Tackla’s still lighter than the next lightest by 200g, though.

Thanks for the updated info and the link, I didn't even know about Maltese's end. Definitely keep us informed if you go for it yourself. It'd be cool to compare notes 🙂

The fabric store I know of here didn’t have any hd foams, just squishy options for stuffing teddies and decorative pillows. I just remembered there’s also somewhat of an ingredients list on product tags too, and I usually neglect to remove those. I don’t have access to my equipment at the moment, but I could read from a tag on some Jofa elbows on eBay that they contain polyurethane foam. The density rating is just the weight of the sheet at a certain standard size, if I’m not mistaken, so it would just take some math to figure out the density of my stock liners. @IPv6Freely thanks for the suggestion of spacer mesh. I was considering something gummier like EVA or Maltese Gel as a thin outer layer, for a bit more suctioned lock feeling against the leg, but I’m thinking the spacer mesh could have enough cushioning to make that spongier layer for the leg contact side unnecessary. My main problem with the stock liners is that they just feel so alien against the leg, but I love the fit of the shells.

That seems like the gusset material on some of my gloves. I could see that being a suitable cover, but I’m more curious about what foam types and densities are typically used as the bulk of the liner.

Hey, I’m interested in making some liners to replace the ones in my Jofa shins. Can anyone recommend foam and cloth types for doing that? I know next to nothing about the materials used in making equipment and would love a recommendation for some introductory reading on the topic. Thanks 🙂

Looks new with the CCM branding on the heel akin to the new Vapors. Yellow so maybe an early look at the next Tacks.

It might seem like a let down that the release isn’t finger operable, but it looks like quite a firm lock and the tool head’s smaller diameter prioritizes the spatial compactness of the mechanism over tool less handiness. That’s the right order of priorities IMO. Also, it looks like a nice pocket size so an amateur coach can have one for making quick swaps on the bench during games or practice. Can the skater do a swap on their own skates while wearing them?

Indeed. I’m partial to not getting slashed on a naked wrist and smart designs that offer both fit and function. I have long arms, though. My XL 20K elbows stop a couple of inches short of my cuffs.

I quite like it, especially in comparison with Bauer’s usual cuffs.

Brand recognition is a surcharge that doesn't necessarily translate to material quality. People on this board are interested in more than just the obvious floating on the surface of the pond. Base is somewhat hidden, but I've heard good things and the one blade of theirs I've tried has piqued my interest. $189 is relatively fair given the price of an original Synergy updated to reflect 20 years of inflation. $189 is also far from the most expensive stick on the market. Whether or not it qualifies as a "discounted price" is more complicated than I have the experience or materials to assess.

...just as you would have to buy any other brand’s sticks or blades.

Base say they offer the original Sakic, though.

The Synergy was one piece in that you picked the stick off the rack with a set flex and pattern and you could take it out to play. Under the finishing paint it was just a tapered shaft (T-Flex?) with a blade fused in at the factory. The two parts, the shaft and the blade, were molded individually and assembled at the factory. Synergys weren’t molded as true one piece sticks, like the Innovative True-1 was. Another company to consider is Base. They offer the original composite Easton curves, so they may have the proper Sakic pattern, if you’re picky about it. That pattern has been reinterpreted by the other companies’ offerings.