S15 to 9k

[eric42434224 1]

Skated on the 1500's for a game last night. Didnt go as well as I had hoped. I thought, or hoped, that there wouldnt be much difference, as it was the top of the synergy line and I was coming from the top of the stealth line.....the same pitch, holder and blade.....same wider boot, etc. Hoever, I did feel different. Seemed that I was off balance most of the night, just feeling uneasy. I am hoping that it will change as I get used to the skate.....just like I got used to the s15 coming from the Bauer 50. The 1500's feel way stiffer, and just thicker than the s15. It seemed that my s15's had broken in ad were way looser all around. Last night it just felt like I had less blade on the ice....if that makes any sense. Im sure I will be used to them in a few games.

I know they have the same toe, but the toe wasnt my issue....it was the leather coming completely off the s15 and revealing the joints in the composite. I could take a butter knife and stick it in the joint and push into the inner lining of the skate....they were dead at that point. I am hoping I get more durability out of the 1500's in that respect.....it seems I will.

JR, another guy on my team (the captain...he put the team together, and who works at my LHS is going to Orlando next month, and I told him about your skate fitting prowess. I actually dont know first hand, but I guess I have to trust the overwhelming opinion on this board. As I have thrown in the towel on finding a skate that fits me perfectly AND has durability and performance, I have decided to go custom next skate. It seems that I need to spend the money where it really counts....on skates. I was wondering if you could find some time to fit me, and maybe my friend too. I am thinking I will just put in the order right away, and hook you up with a big fat taco bell meal as well....no dollar menu, the big stuff like Grilled Steak Stuffed Burritos and Coronas...LOL. Actually I am serious. Anyway, what do you think? Please let me know when you are available. Thanks!

I will post the custom part of this post in a new thread incase you dont see this. If you do, you can delete it.

[fultonreed 1]

J.R. While you are at it - any GRAF in stock?

[Sven 1]

Went from a 9k to the S15. For me, the S15 is way better and actually more responsive. The fit is pretty identical. I would have stayed with the 9k but the pump broke down after 1 week and lost ALL my faith in the skate so i got me the S15 and im very happy.

Remember, when the 9k Pump is done, the skate is almost unusable cause your heel wont be locked in at all. Thats what i meant with faith. The pump will break and you can throw the skate away (when the guarantee is over)

[eric42434224 1]

Went from a 9k to the S15. For me, the S15 is way better and actually more responsive. The fit is pretty identical. I would have stayed with the 9k but the pump broke down after 1 week and lost ALL my faith in the skate so i got me the S15 and im very happy.

Remember, when the 9k Pump is done, the skate is almost unusable cause your heel wont be locked in at all. Thats what i meant with faith. The pump will break and you can throw the skate away (when the guarantee is over)

But the s15 falls apart like a wet paper towel. Seriously.

I was thinking about getting a replacement pair with the double stitching when I realized something.

THE STITCHING ISNT ATTACHING ANYTHING.

It doesnt attach the leather to the boot as the boot is carbon fiber composite! I satrted seeing the leather come off the boot and realized the stitching was still intact and that it didnt attach to ANYTHING. It was merely glued on. So how can twice the amount of cosmetic faux stitching make the skate more durable? 2 layers of lipstick doesnt make a pig look any better. I tried to re-glue with superglue for a month, but I gave up as the warranty approached. Mark my words, and I wish it wasnt true, but the leather will seperate from the composite, leaving the joints to the composite open and exposed, and then water will get IN the boot and the inner lining.....then a quick death. I LOVED the fit and performance of the skate, but I just dont see how they can last longer than 3-6 months. I am afraid that you will end up losing faith in the s15 as I and so many others did.

[Havok19 0]

I went from 9k to s15 custom and my custom.My son has the 9k and he play less them me and they are more beaten up then my S15.

[schrempsky 0]

im not sure what seems to happen. some people seem to have problem ridden s15s, then others like myself, use their s15's and have had no durability issues at all.playing mens league, my skates are holding up great. hope you are able to find a boot that works for you as well as the s15

[eric42434224 1]

What is custom about them? It seems that the entire concept of the skate is doomed to failure. Especially if you are 6'0" and 210 lbs. They just cant take the punishment. What custom feature is there to make them more durable? The leather covering the joints in the composite are still only GLUED. Unless custom skates allow for "special" glue that lasts, I just dont have faith in the design of the product....IMHO.

im not sure what seems to happen. some people seem to have problem ridden s15s, then others like myself, use their s15's and have had no durability issues at all.playing mens league, my skates are holding up great. hope you are able to find a boot that works for you as well as the s15

Maybe I am too big for them. If I could find another boot (not carbon fibre composite) that fit like my s15, I would be all over them.

[SolarWind 23]

THE STITCHING ISNT ATTACHING ANYTHING.

It doesnt attach the leather to the boot as the boot is carbon fiber composite! I satrted seeing the leather come off the boot and realized the stitching was still intact and that it didnt attach to ANYTHING.

As far as I understood what they did for 08 - they added double stitching to strenghten the leather joint, and also to extend the area where the glue is applied

at the same time they did something to the surface of the composite underneath (made it rought or something) - before it was way too smooth for the glue to hold properly

that's why if you look @ 08 model there's quite a bit less composite exposed & it's more covered with leather providing more surface for the glue

also from what I've heard 08 models so far haven't had any returns

but even the original 07 model wouldn't last just 3-4 months - that's not true - yet - there'd be some separation, but the skate remains very usable. Beyond one year - that's a gamble...

[eric42434224 1]

THE STITCHING ISNT ATTACHING ANYTHING.

It doesnt attach the leather to the boot as the boot is carbon fiber composite! I satrted seeing the leather come off the boot and realized the stitching was still intact and that it didnt attach to ANYTHING.

As far as I understood what they did for 08 - they added double stitching to strenghten the leather joint, and also to extend the area where the glue is applied

at the same time they did something to the surface of the composite underneath (made it rought or something) - before it was way too smooth for the glue to hold properly

that's why if you look @ 08 model there's quite a bit less composite exposed & it's more covered with leather providing more surface for the glue

also from what I've heard 08 models so far haven't had any returns

but even the original 07 model wouldn't last just 3-4 months - that's not true - yet - there'd be some separation, but the skate remains very usable. Beyond one year - that's a gamble...

Just cant take that chance on a $529 skate...the chance that it is now better or not.

And if the leather seperates and exposes a joint in the composite, the skate will not be usable for much longer.

I would rather pay a bit more for a skate with a better track record....perhaps a custom skate that will fit me even better than the s15, with the same performance and way better proven durability.

But I understand your love for the s15....I really do. If mine didnt fall apart (and hear the horror stories from so many others), I would use them, and keep buying them, until I was cold in the ground.

[Havok19 0]

I can answee that.If you go custom they are made BY HAND in CANADA (in montreal to be exact) i know cause i had a tour of the facilities.They are handeled the same way they do for all pro level player so hence beter glue and stitching.Way Worth it IMO.

5'9 180 here and the easton guy that has the same has me is 6'2 200 and they are like mine except they are black.

[eric42434224 1]

I can answee that.If you go custom they are made BY HAND in CANADA (in montreal to be exact) i know cause i had a tour of the facilities.They are handeled the same way they do for all pro level player so hence beter glue and stitching.Way Worth it IMO.

5'9 180 here and the easton guy that has the same has me is 6'2 200 and they are like mine except they are black.

But do they seriously last longer? Is there a longer warranty than 3 months? It would really suck if I paid MORE for a skate that lasted longer, but only long enough to go past the warranty! BTW...what is the cost?

And JR, would this be a realistic option for me? Would the custom pro s15 last 2 years, or is that a pipe dream?