Graf Toecap

[eric42434224 1]

I am going to be trying on some Grafs in my last ditch effort to find retail skates that fit me, but I have read on several threads about the narrow toecap. This will likely be an issue. I also read that the Graf toecap is easy (easier) to heat and stretch. Assuming the LHS cant do this, what is the tool used (I think it was called a "ball stretcher"?....sounds painful) and how is it used? Any link to the actual tool online would really help. Thanks!

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

It's a ball punch press.

Maybe the shop that you are going to has one. I have a hand-held one in my garage.

[eric42434224 1]

It's a ball punch press.

Maybe the shop that you are going to has one. I have a hand-held one in my garage.

So if the shop doesnt, I will ask where you got yours, and perhaps get a quick lesson in operation.

Thanks.

[lefty57 0]

I am going to be trying on some Grafs in my last ditch effort to find retail skates that fit me, but I have read on several threads about the narrow toecap. This will likely be an issue. I also read that the Graf toecap is easy (easier) to heat and stretch. Assuming the LHS cant do this, what is the tool used (I think it was called a "ball stretcher"?....sounds painful) and how is it used? Any link to the actual tool online would really help. Thanks!

This is one example of the tool I believe ... http://www.blademaster.ca/products.asp?id=44. If your LHS can't do this work, what is the sense of ordering Grafs knowing that you might have to punch the toecap ? Were you planning on ordering the tool yourself and doing the work ? Are the skates returnable after a toecap adjustment ?

Going back to your previous thread, go to a shop that has a wide selection of Grafs (and other skates) where you can try a bunch on at the same time.

I personally went to the one I mentioned before and tried on 7-8 pairs of Grafs. Grafs were not for me because of the tight toebox and I was looking at the 707/709/G7/G9 models. They baked every pair and adjusted toecaps on several. And I ended up with no Grafs at all. There is nothing like being there with a multitude of options.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

It's a ball punch press.

Maybe the shop that you are going to has one. I have a hand-held one in my garage.

So if the shop doesnt, I will ask where you got yours, and perhaps get a quick lesson in operation.

Thanks.

I got mine from the Orlando Solar Bears, and I'm pretty sure they got theirs from the Middle Ages as it looks like a torture contraption.

[eric42434224 1]

I am going to be trying on some Grafs in my last ditch effort to find retail skates that fit me, but I have read on several threads about the narrow toecap. This will likely be an issue. I also read that the Graf toecap is easy (easier) to heat and stretch. Assuming the LHS cant do this, what is the tool used (I think it was called a "ball stretcher"?....sounds painful) and how is it used? Any link to the actual tool online would really help. Thanks!

This is one example of the tool I believe ... http://www.blademaster.ca/products.asp?id=44. If your LHS can't do this work, what is the sense of ordering Grafs knowing that you might have to punch the toecap ? Were you planning on ordering the tool yourself and doing the work ? Are the skates returnable after a toecap adjustment ?

Going back to your previous thread, go to a shop that has a wide selection of Grafs (and other skates) where you can try a bunch on at the same time.

I personally went to the one I mentioned before and tried on 7-8 pairs of Grafs. Grafs were not for me because of the tight toebox and I was looking at the 707/709/G7/G9 models. They baked every pair and adjusted toecaps on several. And I ended up with no Grafs at all. There is nothing like being there with a multitude of options.

Grafs are the only skate that I havent tried. All others just dont fit...very wife and deep feet. The only Place that carries Graf is an hour away, and they only have literally 6-10 pairs in the store. Not models...actual pairs. They said I can order a pair, and if they dont fit, I am under no obligation to buy....but it sounds like if I dont hit the right model/size quick, it could be a long process.

I also heard about the narrow toecap, and I could see it being a problem. If I find a graf to fit, except the toecap, I can just stretch it. If the LHS's dont have a stretcher, I need to do it myself.....but after seeing it, I think the LHS at my rink has it. Isnt it relatively the same machine as what is used to stretch or punch skates?

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

How many of these threads are you going to start? I hope for everyone's sake that you FINALLY get a pair of skates that fit, so the rest of us can go back to reading normal threads, with some information to actually share.