Any New Grafs?

[JJ Thompson94 0]

Is Graf coming out with anything new for this season?

[Hazard14 0]

I dont think so.

[JBP 18]

New 605 model and 670 model (between 5 series and 7 series), along with a hideous colour change to the 735 (which I hope they have really re-though about doing) Main quarter panel changed to white while the eyelet stays and rear trim stay silver. What the F were they thinking?

[Law Goalie 147]

Oh man, there's a custom pair of 735s that looks just like that on eBay right now - gruesome.

Can I safely assume the 670 is the mid-range version of the G70?

[TBLfan 25]

Isn't that like asking if Converse is going to be coming out with a new pair of chucks?

[Viking 1]

Not really.

[YouTuuk 0]

Graf apparently is set on "resting on their laurels" if anybody does not know what "resting on your laurels" means....Here is a explaination:

laurels were once given as an honor for achievement--think of Roman senators wearing crowns of laurels. One who "rests on his laurels" is content with present, or past, achievements. Though laurels are positive, one who rests on them is considered not to be a good thing.

[Viking 1]

I believe there's also something to be said for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."... Or there would be, except that they are putting new skates out, as JBP mentioned. And I know it's become the norm now, but do companies really need to be putting out two new high end skate models every year? When they do that, are they really dramatically improving over the last high end skate, and is the last one suddenly obsolete and useless? It's not like skate technology is actually being revolutionized every six months by Bauer/CCM/RBK. I don't hold it against Graf that they don't bother to pretend to be doing that.

[YouTuuk 0]

I believe there's also something to be said for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."... Or there would be, except that they are putting new skates out, as JBP mentioned. And I know it's become the norm now, but do companies really need to be putting out two new high end skate models every year? When they do that, are they really dramatically improving over the last high end skate, and is the last one suddenly obsolete and useless? It's not like skate technology is actually being revolutionized every six months by Bauer/CCM/RBK. I don't hold it against Graf that they don't bother to pretend to be doing that.

So do you think Graf has research and development going on to strive to put out a better product for future?

I know Graf has achieved much succes in the past - and most of us are hoping Graf will keep putting out good product, I am a believer in competition and lower prices. I just hope that they don't stop striving for success or decides that further effort isn't needed to keep customers.

[Viking 1]

I believe Graf does work with research and development. I don't work in the industry, so I can't safely say they do as much of it as other companies - my assumption is that they don't, but I don't always consider that the most important thing. They don't publicize it, or make it the focus of their marketing the way some companies do, but I'm fine with that - much as I said in my last post; just because the big companies put out a new skate every six months does not necessarily mean the new skate is really much better than the last one - it just becomes a new skate for the sake of selling a new skate. I don't see a new Bauer skate release as anything special anymore, because I know there's another one coming in a couple of months. By the time the Vapor XXXX was actually released, this board was already hyping the one95.

Graf make skates with new technology, and they make skates with old technology as well. I don't consider it a bad thing that you can still walk into a store and buy a pair of 703's. People still buy them, so there must still be value there. And people who want newer technology do have the option for the Ultra series, or to buy another brand of skate entirely. Graf has an audience, and to stop making the skates that audience wants would be ignoring them. I'm a believer in competition and lower prices as well - I just don't think the best way to compete with someone is to do things exactly the same way they do. And I think the prices of skates are kind of out of control, but I don't think that's Graf's fault, particularly when I see the price on the one95, and all the other semi-annual new skate releases.

[sdcopp 1]

I'm a believer in competition and lower prices as well

Graf's prices aren't low and haven't been. Only in the past few years has the rest of the skate industry matched and/or exceeded the prices on Grafs. Graf not putting out a new product to speak of and not only maintaining pricing but reportedly raising prices is a bit dubious by any consumer standard. It's good for profits and/or inflation though.

The thing is, Graf does make a full bevy of different skates for different feet. That's great, until you realize your spending well north of $500 for it. Not everyone is going out for One95's or Vapor XXXX's or 9K's or U+, etc. There are a lot of people spending in the $200-$300 range, which models do benefit from trickle down from R&D. Graf offers an elitest price for old technology. They aren't going to be for everyone, and it's clear that Graf doesn't want to try and attack the market share of the giants in the industry. They are a niche product, it is what it is

[ntwusc 62]

Aren't the white/silver 735's SMU's for totalhockey.net?

The only new thing I've seen about the Graf's is that their list price has gone up about $50 <_<

[duch 0]

Graf carries middle of the line skates as well. Are you guys forgeting about the 301 and 502. Both are pretty decent skates and quite a bit less expensive than the seven hundred series models. I actually had the 502's and found them to be pretty good skates because they carry a lot of the 700 series features and fit a lot like the 703's or 704's. They also carried a 600 series model as well, not 100% positive about the number perhaps the 609. That's at least three models below the five hundred dollar mark.

[lyle.m23 0]

Aren't the white/silver 735's SMU's for totalhockey.net?

The only new thing I've seen about the Graf's is that their list price has gone up about $50 <_<

nope the 735 are going to retail like that everyware.

i like them ut would never buy them.

[ntwusc 62]

Ugh. I can handle the silver and black 735's, but the white quarters with the silver are ungodly.

[lyle.m23 0]

ill agree they are a bit to look at me but to the young kids in the crowed there the coolest lol

but who cares

[ean 0]

I'm a believer in competition and lower prices as well

Graf's prices aren't low and haven't been. Only in the past few years has the rest of the skate industry matched and/or exceeded the prices on Grafs. Graf not putting out a new product to speak of and not only maintaining pricing but reportedly raising prices is a bit dubious by any consumer standard. It's good for profits and/or inflation though.

The thing is, Graf does make a full bevy of different skates for different feet. That's great, until you realize your spending well north of $500 for it. Not everyone is going out for One95's or Vapor XXXX's or 9K's or U+, etc. There are a lot of people spending in the $200-$300 range, which models do benefit from trickle down from R&D. Graf offers an elitest price for old technology. They aren't going to be for everyone, and it's clear that Graf doesn't want to try and attack the market share of the giants in the industry. They are a niche product, it is what it is

Old technology? I suppose that is one way to look at it. Either way, these skates are still used at every level. You don't see it as often in the pros anymore, but I also think it's because the new stuff (Vapor, one90, etc etc etc) are all made with cutting edge technology that provides lightweight and stiffness at the cost of durability and longevity.

In my opinion, Grafs offer competitive skates that are designed in an older fashion that still allow for good longevity, which is why I think they are a better buy for those who don't have access to multiple pairs of skates per season.

[JJ Thompson94 0]

I hear good things about the skates, bad things about their customer service, but what really bothers me is the look. I know it's childish to really care about the look but, either they are all black and real plain or like white and silver and real tacky.

[Viking 1]

Hockey skates are meant to be black.

[duch 0]

Say whot bro? I dunno about that. I really like the silver colour of say the Easton 1100's or Z-Airs. The Nike/Bauer Vapors are certainly a nice looking skate and their not all black. I don't care about the colour so long as they perform well on the ice. Different strokes for different folks.