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JR Boucicaut

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Posts posted by JR Boucicaut

  3. Posted · Report reply

    11 hours ago, SkateWorksPNW said:

    I know most bigger stores arent even aware that they can still submit a full custom order via the excel document and instead only sell the general retail custom build. Both CCM and Bauer have a full custom spreadsheet that has all of those options that you wanted, and more. 

    I know a customer that ordered a cery custom pair of FT2 skates recently. He requested 3mm extra height + 3mm extra comfort pads on one skate and 6mm extra height + 3mm extra comfort pad on the other skate due to ankle surgery. He needed some extra volume on the one foot. Different size skates, different widths, selected a tan clarino liner, and went with oversized ankle pads with poron. He also requested the standard tongue instead of the removable/replaceable tongue and went with oversized holders. Added extra stiffness to the ankle area as well. These suckers were about as custom as you can get. 

    I guess some of the smaller more specialty stores are more aware that they can do these types of orders for customers while others either arent aware or just dont care. 

    So when I was in Blainville for training before the MyBauer custom went live, I was told that fitters would be able to submit spec sheets/reorder by ticket number.  I talked to someone at my previous employer a year later and he said that the only option they gave store managers was through MyBauer.  Mind you 99% of retailers don't know how to build a custom skate that way, so I can definitely see how they don't give that option.

    12 hours ago, cougarscaptain87 said:

    I have a pair of custom one95s that are the full custom, when I went to get my new skates I knew I was going custom and was told myBauer was the new way they did customs. My one95s have two different lengths, increased height in the quarters to add volume, I was able to get an E/A last that fits my foot nearly perfectly, clarino liners, extra stiff, additional ankle padding, double stitching, lower cut boot height, and on the one95s I had the mega flop white felts, I wasn't going to get those this time but I had A LOT more options my last go around. This was obviously well before foot scans were available at least to mere mortals like myself so everything was done based on tracing and tape measurements around 4-6 points on my foot and ankle and the skates fit 100% perfect in my estimation. 

     

    Not to get off topic but I went in wanting CCM total custom AS3 Pros, between my supreme one95s and my new skates I wore first gen one piece boot super tacks in just a retail build, they fit well but not perfect. I thought the AS3 was the next logical step but I couldn't get over the feeling of my toes going numb with the new tongue attachment system and I was told you can not have the tongues sewn in opposed to the new system even at the total custom level, as well as they had done away with offering lower cut boots and additional height in the comfort pad (I was going to get 3mm off the stock boot and add 3mm of comfort pad) so then I started trying on the ultrasonic since I had experience with Bauer customs in the past.

     

    At about 45 minutes into the fitting it was seeming as I wasn't going to get what I initially came in for so I started to settle, I was told you can only do FIT 1 2 or 3 even in customs, no more option for forefoot and heel width, you can't add height to the quarter package, and you can't remove height from the boot cut. I was recommended a fit 3 on the scanner but every fit 3 in the store felt too deep and wide, but fit 2 was a hair snug in the width from my ankle bone to my toes and the volume was a bit shallow so I had to decide that I thought going with a fit 2 and the low profile tongue would open up the volume of the boot but that still didn't solve the width issue. 

     

    I ended up ordering 9.25 on the right 9 on the left, fit 2, molded felt tongue pulse Ti steel (wanted to try the power profile but it came with a stock 10') and the standard ultrasonic liner because it seemed better than the one very similar alternative, would have loved clarino the only reason I need to replace my Super Tacks is the microfiber liner is falling apart on my right skate.

     

    I received the skates a few weeks ago and they fit alright, now with the molded felt the volume is a bit loose, width is a bit tight (opened up a bit with two bakes) and the insoles were way too short, when I asked for some that fit the only ones they had were from the APX2 vapors and they don't really fit great either, small thing to complain about but at nearly $1200 I do expect the insoles to fit properly. 

     

    I really wish I could have gotten the skates in the 9.25 and 9 lengths, E/A last, increased quarter packages and ankle padding, clarino liner, lower boot cut, traditional felt tongue, and double stitching. I still like my new skates but I do feel like they could have been done a bit differently based on my past experiences. 

    Did I build these?  I can't remember.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    18 hours ago, oldtrainerguy28 said:

    I get for out of the way areas it's not a bad idea. I started doing this at the end of Corebeam and the beginning of MS. It was way to much work for the time needed for each customer. 

    I'm with you on that.  I stopped doing that because I truly didn't think that I would be able to fully dial in the fit remotely.

    A manufacturer last year asked me if I was interested in analyzing scans.  I said sure but nothing ever came of it.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    18 hours ago, oldtrainerguy28 said:

    2. Everyone mentioned, I do not see any retail expiernece. You can work at the office and have played and still have no clue what your doing. 

    Mike Peck (CCM FaST Manager) worked for me before going to CCM.  Kenny worked retail as well and can fit skates.

    I think the average consumer automatically assumes that since they work for the company, they're instantly experts.  While I completely agree with the 2nd part of that statement, but with these two, it's not the case.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    20 hours ago, mojo122 said:

    If you're getting fit by someone who doesn't have a clue then I'd say the blame lies with the manufacturers and their sales reps for not teaching the shops that they sell to.  

    Not necessarily.  Not every store employee gets direct PK from a manufacturer.  Some get training version geared towards selling or training designed in-house.

    Also, keep in mind most of these employees don't have anything vested and won't care anyway.

    But Peck cared when he worked for me, and look at him now!  LOL

     

    • Like 1

  9. Posted · Report reply

    On 8/30/2020 at 12:30 AM, boo10 said:

    @JR Boucicaut, wondering if you found that the boot opened up at all post bake?  I found that the AS3 felt shorter than the 9090 in the same size pre bake.

    It did.  Not drastically for me as I didn't seem to stray too much from the fit.  I'll do a 2nd bake after I skate in them a couple of times just because that's been my routine.

    On 8/30/2020 at 4:29 AM, Vet88 said:

    Anyone want to comment on the sizing, especially in relation to an AS1?

    For length I fit a Jetspeed 5.5, a Supreme 6. I have an AS1 6 and it is definitely 1/2 a size too small, my toes aren't just brushing but pressing hard against the toe cap. I have an opportunity to get some AS3 pros in a 6 but am reluctant to given how the AS1 was sized.

    Look at your holder size in these situations.  Despite whatever the boot size would be, the holder size won't lie.  I know that I am always the first skate that accommodates a 296 holder.  11 CCM, 11 Bauer Vapor.

    The lone exception is Bauer Supreme.  I was  a 10.5 in a Supreme.  The old fit profile allowed me to drop down a half-size and I would go with a D and that would put me in a 288.  But if you remember, starting with ONE90 you had the Power steel which was 8 mm longer, which would equate into...boom, a 296.  The smaller holder was put on that skate.  No idea what I'm in now as I've haven't tried on a Supreme skate in a couple of years nor do I know what fit profile I would even be.

    So, just look at your holder size (or even just pay attention to the shoe sizing/Euro size) because those things will be constant.

    On 8/30/2020 at 10:59 AM, colins said:

    Are the fit of these still similar to the originals Tacks reboot? For a Bauer guy coming over, these would be the choice for someone who's foot fits a Supreme profile? 

    Yep - still a similar fit.  I'd say so.

    17 hours ago, colins said:

    Are stiffness ratings documented anywhere? What procedure is used to test/measure? Can the scale be used across vendors or is it vendor specific?

    There are some references to them on certain skates on their site; on the 80k and AS3.  I would venture to say it'll be on the new Jetspeed models.

    16 hours ago, CaptainCharisma said:

    Do you happen to know the stiffness rating of the original 2016 Super Tacks?

    I would say similar to AS2.  The AS3 Pro is considerably stiffer.

    On 8/30/2020 at 12:01 AM, SkateWorksPNW said:

    Maybe I need to start eating more so I put on some weight or I should spend more time at the gym bulking 😉

    Just get fat like I did. LOL

    17 hours ago, colins said:

    I have to say - that tongue system looks brilliant. If the mechanism holds up to regular wear and tear what a great feature to be able to swap tongues out quickly and easily.colins

    I can't really see it failing - there's nothing weight-bearing or anything that would pull it apart as much isn't required to keep it in place.  Nor will it wear out like a hook and loop application would (getting snagged on a sock or shifting.)  

     

  10. Posted · Report reply

    It's been a while since I've done one of these - lots has changed in the past few years, and so I'm glad to have the opportunity to review product again.

    I'll be comparing this to the last CCM skate I reviewed, which was the Super Tacks.  That IT can be found here - 

     

    I didn't skate the AS1; truth be told, there wasn't a massive difference between them and the original Super Tacks.  

    IMG_0555.thumb.jpg.8c7c663eedf621d7d75fac13c01d6859.jpg

    Aesthetically, the AS3 looks to be extremely well-made; I can't find a flaw like loose stitches, crooked jeweling or anything of the sort. There is quite a lot of shininess to the boot and the graphics are a bit intense, but I guess that's the

    This is the first Tacks skate with the quick-release XS holder.  The stock steel is still the XS steel but it is slightly taller than the previous version.

    CCM also reduced the eyerow overlay to the top two eyelets only, and has a runner going up the edge of the quarter.  For reference, the Super Tacks had a full eyerow overlay, and the AS1 had the 3-5 eyelets with an eyerow overlay.  AND THEY GOT RID OF THE CCM-STAMPED EYELETS. 

    It's probably the stiffest skate I've put on.  Lacing them up out of the box, however, they felt extremely comfortable for my foot shape.  A pleasant surprise in the forefoot as it is much more plush than the Super Tacks as there's added foam there.  

    IMG_0556.thumb.jpg.8a29bfb5ec5941633ba7c70cb3a1710d.jpg

    New liner in this skate, and CCM extended the abrasion-resistant panels further back towards the heel (for extended protection against shin guard abrasion.)

    The other big feature in this skate is the ability to remove tongues.  The stock tongue is your standard CCM felt in terms of thickness.  

    The tongue attaches to the top of the toe box but now has a flap on top. To remove the tongue, you have to pry that flap up, as shown:

    IMG_0565.thumb.jpg.0682a221d4c96eadf0be5723b34e9fec.jpg   IMG_0567.thumb.jpg.87abb220d14208797bf538516876766d.jpg

    Once pried there will be two prongs.  Push those down and the tongue is no longer attached to the boot.

    IMG_0562.thumb.jpg.b6c5f0d3b937ad9caa60f5fc52a79e5d.jpg

    IMG_0564.thumb.jpg.e46b697d71e5aaf4031fb0ce94523008.jpg

    Aftermarket tongues are available in a thin molded tongue, the same stock tongue with a D3O metatarsal pad and a 10mm heavy felt tongue with a D3O metatarsal pad.  

    I didn't feel the tongue attachment when I had the skates on.  This was a definitely well thought out feature.

    Had to bake these from home as my local rink is not open yet.  Skates responded well to the bake as I got some good definition inside the skate.

    I'm looking forward to skating in these.  Thanks to @CCMHockey for the opportunity.

    If you have any questions, please ask them in this thread.

    • Like 5

  13. Posted · Report reply

    13 hours ago, flip12 said:

    No. Bauer scoffed at that “innovation,” pointing out they had had that feature going back to the one90. Back in the day all skates had it.

    https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/04/29/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Easton-skate.aspx

    That’s not a fair statement. 

    While all tendon guards “back in the day” became flexible over time (because they broke) the ONE90 was the first to be designed to actually flex and rebound.  The premise behind that skate was dynamic range of motion. 
     

     

    • Like 2

  14. Posted · Report reply

    59 minutes ago, colins said:

    Now... you're Sherwood... you don't have to convince these retailers to carry your product, or to display it prominently, you get that for free up and down your lineup because you have the same parent company. And this works for you coast to coast from a town of 500 people to a city of 3 million. Your distribution channels and marketing is covered.

    To screw that up you'd literally have to hire the wrong people that don't know how to make a competitive product.

    If you hire a few of the best talent away from Bauer/CCM/Warrior/etc you have a retail playground to start small(ish) and grow and expand your lineup. From a parent company with very deep pockets. And now you're taking profit away from Bauer and CCM and putting it into your own pockets. 

    A brand can have all of the floor space they want - for it to move, it has to be a good product.  You then have to convince the staff it's a good product, who would then have to convince the customer it's genuinely a good product. And in my experience, where I worked for a retailer that gave EVERY BRAND a chance (hell, they booked BROOKLYNITE, long live TH) that's where the disconnect happens.  

    Note that most of your sales staff are young and really don't have a vested interest in the health of the business, let alone servicing the customer properly in some cases.  And their sales pitch is almost always going to be an evangelized one.  If the product can't win over the staff based on merit, the only way your staff would push that product is if they SPIFF the hell out of it - and customers will sense that a mile away.  Plus it doesn't help when customers walk in with the feeling that they are more informed than the staff is - and the way that I was able to combat that was to be able to answer all of their questions and concerns truthfully.  

     

    • Like 3

  17. Posted · Report reply

    4 hours ago, CaptainCharisma said:

    Sher-wood was the first brand to have a sub-400 g stick in the Rekker EK15 but unfortunately it doesn't seem like they've made too much innovations since then.

    How well received was the Rekker EK15 when it came out?  I bought the wood graphic version on clearance a few years afterwards.  Great look but par for the course in terms of performance.    

     

    It didn’t do well at retail. 

    On 8/24/2020 at 2:35 PM, stick9 said:

    Man, one of these smaller companies needs to get their crap together and start making gear exclusively adults playing beer league. No one under 35 gives two craps about Sher-Wood.

    When it comes to sticks it's about value and durability. Make a decent performing stick that hold up reasonably well and sell it for $149. Hell, I'd buy one just to try it.

    In other words, do something different. I don't understand why they don't get it.

    Ain’t no money in it. Your average beer leaguer isn’t buying the latest and greatest and are almost always buying strictly on price. 
     

    That all being said, are you going to buy a $149 stick at $149 or are you buying a closed out $279 stick (or pro return) at $149?  And it’s not going to get any better with the glut of inventory out there right now due to COVID.  That’s gonna hurt retailers for a long time.

     

    On 8/24/2020 at 7:00 PM, colins said:

     

    I think you could be missing something here.

    Surely her-wood has to be one of the largest hockey equipment manufacturer in the market right now? Like any reboot I'm sure they'll have some missteps, but I wouldn't count them out by any means.

    While Bauer continues to raise prices on their high end gear while cutting corners on materials/quality, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sherwood brand become a legit player that if nothing else, should help keep CCM and Bauer honest.

    I wonder how many US-based dealers they’re landed. Not a knock, just curious. 

    I would be extremely surprised. This isn’t the first time they’ve had a house brand and every time it hasn’t worked out.  I just don’t see it. 

  22. Posted · Report reply

    On 8/14/2020 at 9:23 PM, stick9 said:

    They're better off having Step available at a reasonable upcharge at the point of sale. You get most of the sales without the added cost and BS. 

    But more importantly, that premium brand stays premium. No one is questioning whether or not CCM is making crap steel and marking it "STEP" cuz they can.

     

    Exactly.  The only way they can achieve cost savings is if they move the premium steel production overseas.

    On 8/14/2020 at 7:59 PM, SkateWorksPNW said:

    It would cost them less to mass produce one product and fewer options (stainless and PVD/DLC) as opposed to multiple products and multiple options.

    Streamlining manufacturing and offering a better product, compared to competitors would allow them to lower manufacturing costs while providing a better product to consumers. 

    Yeah, that's pretty much what the story was when manufacturers outsourced.  The part where the consumers continue to pay higher prices despite the cost savings is left out, though.

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