Two Different Blade Holder Lengths for Custom Fit Graf Skates?

[HunsHC22 0]

About 16 months ago, I custom ordered a pair of Graf 705 from my LHS. My right foot is more than a .5 size smaller than my left foot, and I was tired of my heel slipping around in my skate boot.

I ended up ordering Size 9.5 on the left foot, and size 9.0 on the right.

This past weekend I was getting my skates sharpened at a different shop and they mentioned that I should think about getting new steel. They guy said they had some 280 mm steel in stock. When I said that my skates were custom sized, he said that it shouldn't matter, the steel and the holders should be the same size. He then took a look at the holder on the other boot, and was really surprised that it was 272 mm.

When I told him that I had the skates custom ordered, he told me that I should take the skates back to where I bought them and get them to put holders and steel on that were the same size. He said it's a no-brainer that custom order skates should have the same size steel, even if the skate boots are different size.

I never realized that I should have the same length of holders, even though the skates are a different size. It makes sense, that you'd want to have the same amount of blade on the ice on both sides. I have noticed that I more often lose my edge/feel off balance on the right side, but I had always chalked it up to technique.

So, anyone out there have an opinion, or experience with this? I'd feel more comfortable trying to get them to put new holders on my skates if I had more than just one guys opinion.

Thanks,

Travis

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Did you get anything else customized other than sizing?

[HunsHC22 0]

No, just sized me for length and width. He just traced the outline of my foot on a piece of paper, and then measured from there... is that normal? It seemed a bit hokey but the skate boots did come out feeling pretty good on my feet.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I believe you were just given a 9 and a 9.5. You should have the right sized holders on both skates. And don't mind the "the holder will be too big on the other skate." Last week I put holders two sizes larger on a pair of ONE90s. There was some holder overhang but I traced it and ground them down on the crossgrinder.

[HunsHC22 0]

Thanks for the advice, just to be clear, when you say:

You should have the right sized holders on both skates.

do you mean that I should have the _same_ size holders on both skates?

What effect would two different sized holders have on the skates or my skating? The guy at the ice shop noted uneven wear on my blades (one had more steel left than the other), he suggested that it may be due to the blade sizes.

Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate. Alot of the times I find it hard to get good answers, even at the LHS. I've learned tonnes from reading modsquad.

Travis

[sogaduch 0]

If you pull the footbed out it should have a number or something written on the sole of the skate indiciating there custom or it would have your name on the graf box. Now as far as different sized holders go in some cases it has to be done I had on case customers difference was 2.5 sizes different

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yes, but they could match the holders for a half size.

[Law Goalie 147]

So the subtext is that this guy's LHS claimed they had custom ordered from Graf, then just handed him a 9 and a 9.5.

Wow.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Unless there's some markings that say they are custom, then yes.

[HunsHC22 0]

Unless there's some markings that say they are custom, then yes.

Well, they came in a box that had my name on them... so I think they actually came from Graf. Maybe Graf just threw a 9 and 9.5 in the box. Would there be any other markings on the actual skates?

So, it sounds like someone screwed up somewhere. Now, if I go back to the store, is it reasonable for me to ask them to replace the holders at no charge?

Thanks,

Travis

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Nope. They'll have to drill new holes but you'll be okay.

That's pretty slack though - I'm pretty much convinced they just threw them in a box.

I did an XXXX custom order that will be here today and they are half a size difference - I'll tell you what NBH did holder-wise.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

XXXXs are 9.5 and 10 and they have 288s on them.