Sniper9

There's one store near me that's has one pair of machs left. And they are my size. I've been humming and haaing over getting them since they fit so good.

I think looking at it in terms of the "fit" system may be the wrong angle. I know what you're trying to say when you say fit 0 as you want something with slightly less volume than a fit 1, but with custom pro, the fit system goes out the window as they use c d e with sizing etc. I would assume it would work for you since you can get different heel pocket sizes in relation to forefoot width and even toecap sizes. Females generally have narrower feet and pro female players are getting custom skates from Bauer CCM true etc as well. You can even see some specs on hsm where the skates are and a heel c width etc. I'm pretty confident that the process in which they make their skates for the pro customs will cater to what you want. The curv composite shell can be manipulated quite a bit during the manufacturing process, way more than simple baking. It's literally pressure molding the shell to shape around your foot last. But I get the hesitancy as there's no refund if they don't work out, and I have heard some people being SOL with Bauer customs.

For the vast majority of people the pro custom option from ccm and Bauer work. CCM tends to make their pro customs like how they do for actual pro players but I'm still a bit skeptical about bauer. I'm sure NHL players can get whatever they want that us peasants aren't privy to. As for true, I've never had issues with the three pairs that I've had in terms of fit, but you hear some real horror stories. However, sometimes there's scanning errors etc. The thing about true is they are way more likely to help you resolve your issue than ccm or Bauer. Currently I'm using retail machs and I love em. I'm hoping next year's Supremes will go back to a more normal ish toecap and the fit doesn't stray much.

From what I understand, whatever shell Bauer decides to use, the fine tune fitting will come down to the commercial molding process the shell is undergone to wrap around your 3d scanned last. Custom pro mic uses the traditional c d e ee width measurements/shells. Not sure if they will adjust the facing to be optimal after this process so you don't have either too much or too little wrap after the shell has conformed to the last. On a side rant, their retail custom is such a joke since you are strapped to their fit system. Like for me, my left is a 7 fit 1, but my right is a 6.5-6.75 but in the same volume as a 7 fit 1. I've tried a 6.5 fit 3 and 2 and both don't work as the fit 3 is too much volume and the fit 2 is too tight. But I digress.

Did you find the vf whippy. My 70 flex felt like a 65 maybe even a 60. I've read elsewhere the same thing where it's easily 5-10 points whippier than it's listed flex

I regret not doing this. Ft5 pro was great. I did however get 4x trigger 7 pros at 199 cdn recently. But I prefer the jetspeed

I go outside in on the one row of eyelets where a lace lock would typically go on the old CCM/rbk skates. That would it keeps my heel pushed back into the heel pocket and creates better heel lock for me since the over under lacing stays snug.

I understand we have our own experiences and I even said it's probably different in Canada in one of my first replies. But I would question how much easier it is to find a pro stock stick in a Specific spec you like over a discontinued retail stick. And with pro stock you actually don't even know the exact build sometimes.

"Scouring" the globe is really doing a 15 minute Google search. I've used top end for years and just recently started to use second price point and it's little to no adjustment. Some second price points are better than others so i try to stay under 415 grams and it's been fine. Balance actually feels better when sticks are in the 380-400 range. Conversely, once you start using something in the 400-415 gram range you actually start to realize how pointless it is using a stick sub 380 grams and start to realize there is such thing is too light. Prices are only gonna go up. It goes up every year and now with the tariffs it's getting worse.

Maybe in the US. But in Canada, the trigger 7 pro was available up until earlier this year in terms of decent selection of specs. Most recently they've been cleared but that's because prohockey had them on clearance for $165 cdn. You can still find a few trigger 7 non pros. Like I said, might be a difference between Canada and US, but I've never had issues getting older top end or second price point sticks for no more than $220 cdn. A second price point sticks doesn't feel bad. I've used them and they have the same pop and kick etc. The only difference is they are in the 400-415 gram range vs 380. 400 grams is already pretty damn light. And tbh, I'll gladly accept the added durability of a 400 gram stick... Not to mention the large price difference.

Just get previous models on sale. Or second price point. The ft7 is only 395 grams

Use a heat gun on those problem areas with them laced up. That targets the area better. Baking instructions for skates are meant for skate ovens and not home ovens. If you aren't familiar with baking at home I'd suggest looking online for videos regarding that.

This. Just get some Eva foam. They come in different thicknesses on Amazon too. Also, they aren't 3m, as far as I know.

Depending on who you ask you'll get different answers. People have been told no about getting the tan clarino liners with true. And also no regarding pre drilled holes for other brands holders. But both have been done and seen online a number of times. I've seen the white toe cap and facing on player skates personally. Like I said, it's just using what they have already which is used for goalie skates. The only difference between the goalie skates and player skates is the holder and the tendon guard/Lundy loop. I also think some retailers that puts in the custom orders have have more pull than others.

Ft6 do look better. But the toecap on these look better. Xf pros looks the best but the cracking issues is definitely a big concern.

Have you asked your retailer to see if they would accommodate? They would just use the facing and white toecap that's used for the goalie skates to make it happen. I also seen the white done for a teammate of mine. It was the tf customs model from a few years back.

Guessing you used a socket that wasn't deep/long enough to reach the actual bolt.

Have you tried putting pressure down into the steel then releasing the trigger? How much of the pin is actually sticking out? Fyi, just because the rear pin isn't ALL the way flush with the holder doesn't mean it's not secure and will pop out. The notch inside the regular xs steel may just not be as deep as the notch in the reload steel thus causing the pin to not be completely flush. I've seen this happen even with the dial type xs holders. If you try to pull the steel out and it's not coming out, then it's fine.

1) what would you change about the toecap? Sleeker design? Not as tall? The thing is, the toe cap is essentially a sleeve that goes over the one piece boot. It's not a traditional toecap that provides structure to that part of the boot. Well maybe it does but not to the degree of other skates. Trues cf shell encompasses the entire foot including the toe areas and stops about an inch up. The design of the toe cap also allows for the tongue to be adjusted allowing for people to reduce or increase volume depending what they like. 2) the holder is brand new. Some will like it and some won't. 3) the bulge at the back of the heel is the shape of the individuals heel. How would you like it shaped? If they made it a generic shape that would take away the custom aspect of the boot. If they added layers above the bulge to smooth it out, that would add unnecessary weight at the cost of aesthetics. I guess ultimately, if you are getting custom skates, you're generally at a point where fit is paramount over anything else, otherwise you'd be rocking retail skates. Imo, the esthetics of the true customs have come a long way since they debuted in 2017.

The only knock I have is the location of the "true" on the holder. It being right above the writing on the back of the steel makes it looks too busy in that one area. Overall, the boot still looks the same aside from the facing aesthetics, but that's how it is with all companies I guess (looks overhaul but very minor "tech" tweaks) I am glad true came out with a polished dlc though. Are the holders still symmetrical? Or are they the same bolt pattern as Bauer and CCM now?

I regret not getting a second pair this past Christmas when the machs were $750 cdn with TI steel... I was going to because having a retail skate fit as well as these is always a coin toss but I decided not to... Now, ragrets

I was assuming this was the small checkered pattern but now that I think about it, it's pretty high up to be a change in weave for the blade and that just looks like the matte paint on the dimple grip texture. So you're probably right

Well according to the pic I linked it's not lol

Ovi used to use the g3 build when he was Bauer. Then when he went to ccm he only used I think the trigger asy? So I'm assuming his build is the one of the two that aren't offered by either Bauer or ccm anymore. Which is weird bc I thought there were still nhlers using a g3 build. Maybe he grew out of that build. The pic below does show a larger carbon weave pattern than the g3 weave on the shaft but the hosel and blade does appear to be the smaller checker weave of the g3/ one95 blades. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI0CuQ6Ot1O/?igsh=MTAyYndnMGIwMDNrNg==

Btw op, what are you getting done to your skates?