Graf 703 question

[Too Old 1]

Just got a new pair of 703's from SubliTWILL. The bottom of the footbed says "Made in Switzerland" on it. Does this mean just that part was made there or the entire skate? They're a custom skate with black Tuuk Plus holders/steel. They also appear to have the wider toe cap on them, but they're the wide width so maybe that's normal? I'll have to drill through the bottoms to allow access to the runner hardware also. Are those nutss metric or SAE/what is the recommended hole diameter to use? Thanks...

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I know in the beginning they were making them in Canada from Swiss components, so either you have a Swiss Graf or a Canadian Graf (early edition)

Get a 5/8" auger bit.

In the back, drill right between the last two rivets.

In the front, drill slightly behind the second rivet (not dead between the second and third rivets, just closer to the second.)

[Too Old 1]

Thanks JR

[Too Old 1]

One more question... my holders say "Tuuk Plus" on them. Not "Custom +". Are these just an early version of the Custom + and is the steel removable? I'd been told that the standard "Custom" holders have steel that can't be replaced. Hoping that I can get some spare steel for these! (Tried to resize pic but photo site is giving me fits... hope MSH will auto resize it for now!)

[Chadd 916]

Those are very old, before everything came with the bauer logo on it. From what I recall there isn't a problem swapping steel

[MorePower4me 0]

Those look great, nice work!

[Too Old 1]

Thanks Chadd. I just wanted to know if I should even go ahead and drill the access holes now or wait until I had to remove the holders to replace them if the blades won't come out. I can see two small relieved areas along the bottom of each holder right where the fastener locations should be on the blades. I'd hoped that these did have them. These are just as I got them from SubliTWILL and I believe he said they came from the Ducks. I'm going to have the equipment guy from our local USHL team sharpen them tonight and then I'll decide if I want to get right out on them in a game tomorrow night or not. I may wait and try to skate a bit on them first before using them in a game... still not sure.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Same thing applies, Tuuk + = Custom+

[Too Old 1]

Cool, thanks guys. Now when I get a chance I'll go ahead and drill the access holes. And order another set of runners so I have a spare set ready to go. The guy with our USHL team is pretty cool. He plays drop-in with us Sunday nights. Told me whenever I need skates touched up to just call him.

[epstud74 24]

Same guy who owns SkateSport?

[ktang 34]

Nice copper rivets...

[Too Old 1]

Same guy who owns SkateSport?

No, they're out of business and the bank has posession of everything I was told. I know they had weird hours and that probably didn't help. Plus the fact that there are so many online retailers with a huge selection of gear vs a smaller shop with limited resources. And nearly everytime I needed something and wanted it quick he was closed, and never returned calls. Certain death for a business.

[Too Old 1]

Skated on them for the game last night. Can't be any happier. Right out of the box the fit was superb; nothing needs to be addressed at all as I had to do with the G3's in the inner lower ankle areas. They were virtually spot-on in terms of pitch compared to the G3's as there is a small lift under the rear holder mount area. And they seemed very maneuverable and had no discernable changes with the 272 runner vs the 280 on the G3's. I had these done with a 1/2" sharpening to allow a comparison since I have a set of 1/2" steel for the G3's. Now I may get spare steel for the 703's and have a 100/50 done on those as I did with the other steel for the G3's. Now that I know how well these fit I'll be keeping my eyes open for any more deals on 703's. Got to love the vintage stuff.