Xblades

[Havok19 0]

Just to let you guys know i am testing a skate blade atm named Xblades made by a compagny here in quebec.And so far the testing is very good.My edge stay longer and the cornering is a lot easier and better.The glide is noticibly better then on my ls2 steel.

disclaimer:I am in now way associated with them i was just lucky enough to get to try them and i am sporting them atm and leting you guys know there is a new blade out and about ready to get available to the general public.(i know Antoine Vermette is using them with other sens players and some other nhler)

http://www.aiguisopro.com/xblades/index_en.html

[aarondevera 0]

interesting...

is it necessary for player to adjust from their normal hollow because of the wider base? and won't the width of the blade change over time, the more they get sharpened? i can definitely see the principle of designing a blade this way, but i'm curious to know how well the market will receive these.

anyone else with firsthand info?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Interesting concept and I'd love to try it, but the bevel should start further up on the heels and toes - I can see sharpeners hacking that one off in three sharpenings. Also don't buy the "more speed" concept as a thicker blade will provide better stability, but more drag. Speedskaters use thin runners for a reason.

[Keith 0]

But you could get yourself a shallower hollow with a wider blade, no?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yes, the blade thickness will change the dynamics of the hollow. A 1/2" on a thicker blade won't look or feel like a 1/2" on a conventional blade - it will feel deeper. So, you'd have to go shallower to get the same effect.

But, obviously, it's not mentioned in the literature, and the funny part is that if the skater doesn't know it, the first time he goes out there he will feel more stable - because he's got more bite. And there went the "more glide" argument.

[Sid 3]

My questions on these is how does it vary from http://www.ctedge.com/ other than the slight design difference? Would these require a special sharpning technique or can they be done the same as normal.

[Havok19 0]

Exactly what the guy told me (about the gliding) so i went a bit down i normally use 3/8 and went to a 1/2 and the speed difference i dont really see it but the cornering and the stability is definitly noticible.

[Law Goalie 147]

Wider blades do make an appreciable difference, even after you account for the different geometry of the hollow. Switching between the 9K (thinner) and 5K (standard) goalie blades on the same pair of skates was an interesting experience. A thinner blade gave better feel for the ice, and was better for making little subtle adjustments; together, that made for a 'finer' skate on the ice. Similarly, I found that the thinner blade ran into a lot of trouble with poor ice conditions. Conversely, the thicker blade plowed right through divots and channels that would have tripped me up with a thinner blade. The ice feel was basically gone, and little adjustments were more difficult, but stability was better and every movement felt sure and strong. All told, as a goalie, I think I preferred the thinner blade, but it really is good ol' PP. People who play a certain way may like one; others another; but what I like about this product is that it gives the option to try.

[habsfan87 0]

I like this design with the built in clearance, I agree with jr it should start up higher for a longer life. Excluding the radius, at the blades smallest point it would be just over 8mm in width at the end of it's life, it'd be interesting to skate on. I wonder what people will do/how the skate will react when you get close to that point, I would say after 8mm of the 9mm height you couldnt get too much closer or else on sharp turns you'd be on that top radius edge, or 2 edges at once. Anyway, neat design for sure.

[jimmy 194]

Just to let you guys know i am testing a skate blade atm named Xblades made by a compagny here in quebec.And so far the testing is very good.My edge stay longer and the cornering is a lot easier and better.The glide is noticibly better then on my ls2 steel.

disclaimer:I am in now way associated with them i was just lucky enough to get to try them and i am sporting them atm and leting you guys know there is a new blade out and about ready to get available to the general public.(i know Antoine Vermette is using them with other sens players and some other nhler)

http://www.aiguisopro.com/xblades/index_en.html

There are approx 700 people skating on the X's. It will be interesting to know what hollow you are using? I've found with CT blades, a skater can use very, very, shallow hollows because of the triangle blade and the bite angle it creates. Since the X design is very similar, you prob can go shallow and pick up lots of glide without loosing turning. So keep us up to speed on your thoughts during testing.

FYI, these blades will not be cheap, over $150 per pair. But the performance could be worth it, compared to sat Thermablades. They may be ready to ship to USA next month.

[habsfan87 0]

geez for that price ill do it myself

[Rustyhole 1]

geez for that price ill do it myself

good luck

[jimmy 194]

Yea, precision machining something like that prob takes some expensive equipment and extra labor/time to produce so that's likely the reason for the price. I don't think it's unreasonable, especially when considering some skates are going for $600 plus now. If the blades have significant performance benefits, they may be worth it. I see people all the time with $200 sticks that last 45 days, so....

[sebseb 0]

Yea, precision machining something like that prob takes some expensive equipment and extra labor/time to produce so that's likely the reason for the price. I don't think it's unreasonable, especially when considering some skates are going for $600 plus now. If the blades have significant performance benefits, they may be worth it. I see people all the time with $200 sticks that last 45 days, so....

I don't think it takes some expensive equipment and extra labor time, I'm pretty sure (I can be wrong) that blades are laminated from steel or molded, so if it's any of these cases the price has nothing to do with the equipement or labor time. They don't say anything about the steel the blades are made of, that to can have an impact on the resistance diagrammes shown on the website.