Shot blockers

[Shot blockers]

6 minutes ago, Westside said:

Thanks to this tutorial I decided to refresh my TF9 inline skates in hopes it'll get me to play more roller this spring/summer. New Marsblade O2 insert, new 3D printed True tongues, and carbon-look kydex 'shot blockers' around the backs to protect the heel. The Kydex and 3M tape cost a whopping $20 total so this was a cheap project to try. I even have enough material left over to make another pair.

Using a jigsaw would have allowed more precision and cleaner lines, but a Dremel is what I had on hand and it worked easily enough. After cutting I sanded/beveled the edges, then used a heat gun to shape the material. Once each heel was roughly curved, I put on the 3M tape, applied more heat so the kydex was soft like play-doh, and with an oven mitt on my free hand, was able to press/conform the material to fit the odd shape of True heels pretty much perfect. If I were to do it again, I'd create a cleaner template so each piece would be identical, but whatever.

Thanks again for the tips in this thread! 

Looks good!

[CCM Jetspeed XTRA plus SMU]

Different models and generations all fit slightly different. I couldn't put my feet into a fit 1 ultrasonic and a fit 2 squished my forefoot still, but I wear a fit 1 Mach. You really just have to try them on. 

[Edge Holder vs XS Holder – Which is Better?]

On 4/6/2025 at 1:12 PM, bthompson1286 said:

Sorry i meant to say that the steel I’m using is offered in both the edge holder and xs holder

Ah ic. I would still choose xs over edge or powerfly. 

[VH Footwear/TRUE by Scott Van Horne]

14 hours ago, eugene8080 said:

Does anyone else's True Customs ankle area curve out like mine? (The the red lines I drew). I have flat feet where my feet pronate and ankles collapse in, and I think the True skates may have been baked to form to this shape. I've been working on strengthening my foot arch, and straightening out my ankle pronation so it's no longer in that shape. My power skating coach notices that I'm much better on my outside edges than my inside edges where I collapse my ankles and fall into my turns too much.

My question is, do your Custom True skates also formed this curved shape like mine? Is it this pronounced? Should I try to re-bake my skates with my feet not pronated and not flat-footed?

U can try to rebake.  But at one time, true customs also had arches that formed to your foot from the scanning process. I'm not sure if they still do or not since introducing the genetix insoles. 

My first two pairs of trues had a custom shaped arch built into the boot. I know this because my right foot pronates and as I was scanned for my first pair, the one skate came out with no arch at all and caused my right skate to feel more sloppy than the left. I solved that with Bauer speed plates. Second pair I was cognizant to not allow my arch to collapse during the scan and it came out fine. 

So to answer your question, I would rebake but it may provide only limited improvement in fit if the arches are flat and don't provide you any support. 

[Edge Holder vs XS Holder – Which is Better?]

I don't have experience with the xs but with the SB 4.0 which is essentially the same holder but different locking mechanism for the steel. I liked how it was stiffer than the edge holder. I didn't find any adjustment between the edge and CCM holders but I also didn't find much a difference between the hre true shift max and edge and I know a lot of people do. 

For me, I would get CCM for overall stiffness, durability and ease of changing the locking mechanism without having to remove the holder to do so.  

Lastly, I know you have a multi fit steel but the fact ccm holders you can get ANY steel you want for it without compromising some fit issues of a multi fit, is the final selling point for me. Step/jrz specific to the holder. I currently use the jrz multi on my edge holders and they are good but they aren't as snug as Bauer and bladetech steel. But I prefer jrz/step over anything else. I'm not sure how the jrz multi fits fit in the CCM holders but the notch made for the pin doesn't look that deep and secure imo. If the holders on my machs ever crack or go bad, I'm swapping them to the xs holders. 

[New 2025 Top End Vapor Skates]

On 4/1/2025 at 5:19 AM, JGraz15 said:

This year’s line is called the Flylite. They’re coming in various colorways (like their sticks now) such as all black, red, blue, orange, and green 

Even at retail? If so that's sick

[2024-2025 Gear Sightings]

On 3/24/2025 at 6:56 PM, IPv6Freely said:

Those look really terrible. Like an aliexpress skate trying to mimic something from like 2003. 

Agreed 

[VH Footwear/TRUE by Scott Van Horne]

10 hours ago, Westside said:

 

An update on the 3D printed True tongues. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the velcro patch began to pull away from the tongue. I reached out to True who sent me updated replacements that are now fully stitched, which should eliminate any issues going forward. I started using modified (shortened) 9x4 tongues on the ice skates and have put the new 3D printed tongues on my TF9 inline skates. Will try and test them out in 2 weeks when I'm back in town and able to play. 

Here's how the new tongue and old tongues compare. The only difference is the stitched section. 

Nice, I'm glad they sent you the updated ones.  I wonder how well the stitching will hold up and if the 3d lattice structure can withstand the thread or if it'll eventually cut through. Only time will tell I guess. Unless you constantly take your tongues off it shouldn't really encounter much stress anyway. 

[VH Footwear/TRUE by Scott Van Horne]

1 hour ago, IPv6Freely said:

Interesting. The goalie skates still have them as an option. 

I always thought it was a goalie only option that was advertised and the players that had it just asked for it to be done for player skates since essentially the only difference in the goalie two piece and player skates is the tendon guard/Lundy loop and holders. 

[New skates, old runners - edges feel completely different]

Also did you happen to just sharpen them when you put them on the new skates? If so it could be just a bad sharpen?

[New skates, old runners - edges feel completely different]

Are you using different insoles? Insoles with more cushion and thickness can reduce edge feel/connection to the ice. 

Also the new powerfly holders could be attributing some difference in feeling too. 

How is the overall feel of the skates? Do they feel foreign? Is could be that you're focusing so much on how different the skates feel that it's affecting your edge feel too. 

 

[Bladetech Initial Thoughts]

Never had this happen to steel I've owned. I chunk actually broke off. This isn't your typical rolled over edge from stepping on something. The damaged area is actually missing a piece and would require me to sharpen it down 3mm or so to remove it from the hollow..... So far not impressed with my experience. 

 

[Modern replacement for Graf Ultra G35 skates]

Fill with epoxy, redrill and secure with copper rivet? 

[Holder Sizing Debate – Stick with 288 or Go Up to 296?]

No input on oversized holders since I always used the standard size for my skate size. That said being a size 7 the 263 is more or less end to end and anything larger might have some overhang which I don't want. If I was a 7.5 I might consider it. 

As for xs holders. I'm actually quite tempted to swap my machs edge holders for xs holders for a couple reasons. First mainly being availability of step as a steel option. Secondly, when I had SB holders back in the day on my trues, I liked how they were stiffer than tuuks. I imagine the xs is similar in stiffness to the SBs. Lastly, edge holders tend to wear and don't seem to fake a beating as well as XS holders. I've already had to replace one holder due to a crack but at least it was under warranty still. 

[3D Edge Analysis - sparks vs Blackstone up close]

3 hours ago, Monty22 said:

If they are that careless with the sharpening it makes me question if the profiles are done just as sloppily. 

Both sets of steel were identical heights and shape and matched the shape of my current steels profile exactly so there's that lol. But it always did make me wonder how their machine could profile AND sharpen a set of steel together at the same time. Profile yes, but creating a hollow on two stacked blades? Lol

[Help with Brand new true 9x4 8.5wide]

38 minutes ago, DmAc0250 said:

 

I mean only thing with customs is at least I know the foot fit would be good. Like I said 1 foot is a 8.5 and the right is a 7.75. But I was thinking of bringing them back to the place I got them to see if they had tongues for me to try. 

Then get customs 

[Help with Brand new true 9x4 8.5wide]

5 hours ago, DmAc0250 said:

I actually tried that too. I even went 2 eyelets down. I just feel the 9x4 tongue is really stiff because of the guard on the front. I’m used to the felt tongues on the makos. But by the time I buy a new tongue it’s almost the same money as customs. 

Well the thing about customs is that right now you still don't know what tongue works for you. Potentially none would and then you're out of money on customs. At least with these, the worst case is you spend money one or two sets of tongues and it doesn't work out and you return the skates because true has their fit guarantee. Obviously the first tongue to try would be their traditional felt tongue or their molded tongue that has no t guard. You can always look on marketplace or sideline for them. Or, pure hockey or another shop near you may have tongues in stock to try. I know my LHS do have them in stock and allow you to try them with your skates. 

[Help with Brand new true 9x4 8.5wide]

1 hour ago, DmAc0250 said:

I actually took and baked them again and the side of the foot is better. Thing is I get a pinch right at the ankle because I can’t get the tongue flex like I’m used to. I have been trying to tie it different to see if I can get rid of it. I mean I can get a new tongues  but at that point might as well get custom skates because they are only $100-150 more then the 9x4’s. Think the only difference between the customs and the 9x4 is the weight. I know I weighed the makos and the 9x4 and the 9x4 is 100g more then the makos. So I can’t imagine how much the customs weigh

Try dropping the top eyelet. When I wore trues I had to drop the top eyelet to get proper flexion. 

With true skates instead of rebaking the whole skate it's best to just use a heat gun and spot heat the problem area. 

[3D Edge Analysis - sparks vs Blackstone up close]

4 hours ago, VegasHockey said:

Likely they are operating at scale and have hired staff to help out with retail profiling/sharpening, thus you aren't getting the same quality they provide to the NHL teams.

Which is kinda bunk. I don't really care because I have a sparx and it was free with the blade purchase. But if I paid for brand new steel and paid for profiling and sharpening as well I would be upset. 

[3D Edge Analysis - sparks vs Blackstone up close]

1 hour ago, Monty22 said:

Same here- 2 pairs, both WAY off. 

And they supply NHL and other pro  teams too. So weird. Maybe it's just for the convenience of being able to order bulk and getting them profiled. Trainers might re sharpen them. I also am not a fan of the way the skatescribe sharpens the skates. Leaves a scale like finish in the hollow.  But with that said their "like new" pro stock steel with free profile and sharpen is a good deal regardless of uneven edges lol. 

[3D Edge Analysis - sparks vs Blackstone up close]

On 8/27/2023 at 4:10 PM, VegasHockey said:

@tydan Have Tyler share with you the results of their testing of Skatescribe vs everything else. It will blow your mind. 

The last two blades I got from tydan came back with quite uneven edges. Just barely staying in the green zone on my sparx edge checker. So ya.. even that machine isn't always perfect. 

[3D Edge Analysis - sparks vs Blackstone up close]

I frikking knew it! I've always felt on my sparx that going with my 1/2" hollow was equivalent to my local pro shop's sharpenings 9/16 or even closer to a 5/8. I thought I was doing something wrong with deburring but I always felt this way. I also noticed with the fingernail test that the edges for the sparx feels smoother and less "crisp." I can run my fingers along my sparx sharpen and not really worry about getting cut but with a hand sharpen I would be cautious. I'm glad this proved what I felt all along. I still love my sparx though and  it just means I have to remember to ask for a 9/16 or even a 5/8 if I'm ever get it manually done. 

[Bladetech Initial Thoughts]

5 hours ago, Buzz_LightBeer said:

I’ve had a few brands of coated steel and in my experience at least, they tend to go dull unexpectedly and all of the sudden. In Randow spots all over. 
not gradually like a stainless would. Maybe the intensity of the league matters too, I do t think they take kindly to contact with boards, other blades, etc

Kind of makes sense that the dlc coating is so hard it can be brittle almost in some circumstances.. the actual steel on bladetech is supposed to be one of the hardest out there too so maybe that's something.... 

[Bladetech Initial Thoughts]

6 hours ago, Giltis said:

Yeah I mean the first one of theirs I got for the SB4.0 was impossible to sharpen and keep an edge on. It was like nothing else I tried. Hard to get an edge on and hard to keep an edge on, worst of both worlds.

Tydan is having a timely prostock sale right now if you’re into it.

Ya im aware of tydan and their good deals on prostock but they only have mainly Bauer steel for that. They must have something going on with Bauer bc they don't sell any other steel for Bauer skates such as jrz or blade tech but they carry those brands for other skates like true and CCM 

[Bladetech Initial Thoughts]

34 minutes ago, Giltis said:

Yeah so it's been like 3 months on the newer ones and they are good. It's hard to say one way or another objectively, my thighs burn less? But it could be me just getting better with my better conditioning. I think they will last me awhile as I'm mostly coaching now and not playing as much as I used to.

Would I get them again? Mayhaps

Thanks for the update.  I wonder what's going on with the set I have. Maybe not enough passes with the sparx since the steel is so hard. A bit of a pain though since I didn't have any issues with the fly /pulse ti steel on the sparx.