Is Graf the way to go?

[g0o0nshow 0]

I was recently reading in the "BC Hockey Now" that graf is the only skate that is not "mass produced" in a large factory some where. This may improve the quality of the skate, correct me if im wrong but if you are looking for quality is Graf now the way to go?

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Not really. Factory size has nothing to do with it.

[rinkrat94 1]

All of the top companies in hockey make quality skates, including graf.

[willcarlson 0]

grafs are sick i skated on them for years but moved to bauer cause i like the way the 8090's feel. if you have a wide and foot grafs are great and made extreamly well. they hold up well to i skated on one pair for like 3 seasons

[jjtt99 0]

I think you'll find a range of opinions when it comes to Graf.

I've heard about love ins and horror stories about their skates.

[Chopper C. 0]

I think most will agree that Graf makes a quality skate, however, they do not work for everyone. I was prepared to buy a pair myself but instead ended up with 8090's like will. The Grafs just didn't fit me right. I have been very happy with the quality and durability of my 8090's.

[Jake 0]

I think Graf makes the most comfortable boots in the world in part because of their sheer variety but there are other factors involved on what kind of skate to purchase.

If I had the moola I'd go the custom route with Graf. Love their boots, but would take a little from each of their lines of skates. Love the 707's but would keep with the 4-piece tendon guard and throw in the G-series lining, and maybe normal white laces rather than waxed. I'd also go with Tuuk's.

[kayhat12 0]

from what i have heard about them, they are great to start out with, but they break down very ery quickly. unless your feet really need the sizes that they provide, dont get them because they will break down in a very short time.

[stick9 905]

I've skated in Graf's for years. My 703's have held up extremely well. After 600+ hours and still in great shape. Even though they fit great they aren't most comfortable skate I've owned, especially in the toe box area. I have an older pair....maybe things have changed.

I'm at the point where I don't want to hobble around the next day. As much as I love my Graf's I just recently bought new skates. I get the same performance I get from my Graf's with a greater level of comfort.

I wonder if the older Graf designs have lost some of their luster with all the latest and greatest advancements in skate design.

BTW, just because something is mass produced doesn't mean it's not a quality product and vice versa.

[kosydar 0]

Old school Grafs were hands down the best skates ever. The newer generations of Grafs are prone to a lot more problems, namely some sloppy work done on them. I still swear by them though, they're the only skate thats ever really fit my foot well. I just don't think I would order them online, I'd much rather check out the skate before purchasing.

[sogaduch 0]

Old school Grafs were hands down the best skates ever. The newer generations of Grafs are prone to a lot more problems, namely some sloppy work done on them. I still swear by them though, they're the only skate thats ever really fit my foot well. I just don't think I would order them online, I'd much rather check out the skate before purchasing.

yeah some of the skates have abit of defects to them but charles graf does his annual visit to calgary to make sure everything is up too his standards. there a great boot for quality and life time

[bigd19 0]

I think, the fact of that Grafs are hand made in Canada is a plus because theres more time put into each boot.

[McCabe24 0]

My G3's I got in December of 2004 lasted just under a year and are the only skate I have ever had that truly fell apart...no problems with my 8K's so far after about six months time.

[djinferno 2]

Great product, customer service is a JOKE.....

old product was great, 703'S with swede panels where and still are my favorites, I believe i was a better player with em...

I got 3 pais of 703's in the new model and they all had issues, I now wear S500 Missions

[beaver5 1]

Ive had a tour of the graf plant in calgary and they do inpect and build each skate by hand. My 705's have been tanks and see no signs of wear at all. Whoever says they are the fastest to break down has never skated in vapors.

[sn1per 0]

Ive had a tour of the graf plant in calgary and they do inpect and build each skate by hand. My 705's have been tanks and see no signs of wear at all. Whoever says they are the fastest to break down has never skated in vapors.

so true, the boot on the XX's go so soft so quickly, the manager at my LHS called them "disposable skates"

[Chadd 916]

Great product, customer service is a JOKE.....

old product was great, 703'S with swede panels where and still are my favorites, I believe i was a better player with em...

I got 3 pais of 703's in the new model and they all had issues, I now wear S500 Missions

Our local Graf rep was happy to hear Mission was dumping the S series. They were losing a lot of sales to Mission dealers. I know I converted more than 50 adult Graf guys to Missions.

[hockeyhair91 0]

As far as manufacturing and durability of the skates are concerned, I have never had a problem with graf. I was turned as a 16year old playing rep hockey after using stiff bauers and ccms all growing up and hating both. i also have massive, painful, bonespurs, as many hockey players do, and my grafs are the only skates i can flex forward in and not feel the pain and my skates have not been spotpunched.

granted, grafs are not stiff, which seems to be very attractive to a lot of competitive guys who prefer to be in a vapor xxx or a synergy or whatever but most skating coaches will tell you that excessively stiff skates, especially for younger players with less leg strength because it limits their stride extension. plus the softer material by the eyelets allows for a closer fit to the foot eliminating negative space in the skate and in turn giving you a more controlled feel over the skates.

and yea i know grafs are heavy and gain weight with time in part because of the liner and the materials they use to build their boot, although after wearing the Ultra G5 i can tell you they are definitely heading in the right direction with lightening the skates up and avoiding moisture buildup leading to weight gain.

the main reasons i use graf though, are the comfort they provide and the quality of the skates that i know i can rely on. im not playing extremely competitive hockey anymore, so having a super light and super stiff skate is a lot less important than something that feels like a slipper when i wear it, which my grafs do.

i still have all my old grafs that are too small and put my siblings and cousains into them with the confidence that after they grow out of them i can get them back and pass them on to the next one.

my whole family is in grafs and we love em. they may not be for everyone, and lets be honest, nikebauer is slowly but surely taking over the market-share, but i hope they keep making these skates because in about 10 years i might need a new pair. :P

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

my whole family is in grafs and we love em. they may not be for everyone, and lets be honest, nikebauer is slowly but surely taking over the market-share, but i hope they keep making these skates because in about 10 years i might need a new pair. :P

Slowly but surely? Where have you been? Over 50% at the pro level and #1 in retail.

[jjtt99 0]

my whole family is in grafs and we love em. they may not be for everyone, and lets be honest, nikebauer is slowly but surely taking over the market-share, but i hope they keep making these skates because in about 10 years i might need a new pair. :P

Slowly but surely? Where have you been? Over 50% at the pro level and #1 in retail.

Yes, but it seems Nike has done a much better job leveraging Bauer compared to when they were stand-alone.