Graf quality- Is this normal?

[Chadd 916]

Says a lot about the shop you bought them from as well. They should never of had those skates for sale in their shop... at least not as "new". And then to ship those out to a customer... I'd ask for a full refund and take my business elsewhere.

Most shops don't even bother inspecting the skates that they get.

[calixguy18 8]

I'd send them back! What a disgrace! I have Graf 605's and love them to bits. Yes, because you bought them on line it's a hassle to return them but dude....look at those things

Yeah they aren't pretty. I am sending them back tomorrow.

Most shops don't even bother inspecting the skates that they get.

I was told they only looked to see if the sizes matched and that was it.

[Chadd 916]

I was told they only looked to see if the sizes matched and that was it.

That's pretty common, I wouldn't fault them for it as long as they take care of you.

[stick9 903]

Unbelievable...

Hope things work out for you.

[Tank 0]

I've had two pairs of Graf, 735 and G35, and neither looked anything like that. The warpage at the base of the holder is pretty typical, the Cobra holder just seems to do that. But everything else is just whacked. No way I'd keep those. In particular, the blade screw heads being stripped like that almost certainly means they are returns or seconds or something. Send 'em back.

I bought a "new" pair of the G5 off of someone person on ebay. I paid about $185 including shipping. They appeared if someone had one skating session in them but they were in almost new condition without any visual imperfections. It has been over 3 years since I bought them and I LOVE them.

[Vathsdrop 0]

Even the swiss-made don't look good anymore. From what I saw the legendary GRAF quality (perfect sewing, perfect outsole/holder alignment, ..) last until the techno series.. then it went straight to hell.

Although there are some visual imperfections, the skates are still solidly durable, you have to give them that.

[calixguy18 8]

I realized I never updated this thread. I sent them back for a full refund since the shop manager said he didn't want me to be unhappy and he would give me a deal on a replacement pair. Initially, he didn't refund me the shipping so I had to send him a few emails and eventually he credited it back to me. He wouldn't respond to any of my attempts to get a replacement pair so I just said forget and didn't give them any more business. I'm just glad I got my money back.

[duch 0]

I've always dealt with the same LHS's for my 703's and 735's and never had an ioda of a problem with my Grafs. My 735's are a year and a half old and other than the usual scuffs on the toes and sides from working along the boards, they look almost new. I've never had a problem with the Cobra holders deforming the way they where on the pair you had. It's great to see you got your cash back. Hope you'll be happy with whatever skates you decide on next.

[Jarick 5]

Mine are six months old now, only real issue is an eyelet popped out, shop fixed it for free. Everything else is fine.

[flyboy34 0]

I've seen the mounting gaps on the holder/outsole for years. I don't know if it is truly an issue but I'm sure it would effect energy transfer at some point.

The construction issues are something entirely else... Can't vouch for that.

[Hermans 9]

Definitely send them back. Ive never owned Grafs but I have friends who've had them and they were all very well made

Mine don't look that great.... well they didn't when they were new. They had glue and stitching issues and a small tear in the liner when I got them.

They took me a long time to get used to; but they fit, they broke in well and they still looks close to what they were when I bought them.

Maybe they should be stamped with the day of manufacture. obviously I didn't get Monday or Friday Grafs?

I skate 3-4 times a week a I'll have times when I skate 6 of 7 or 7 of 9 days. As an almost 40 year old guy carrying a 'few' extra points and sweating out beer and crappy lunches I"m surprised they last this long; and happy.

If my skates are good quality they are worth it... if they are poor quality then the good quality skates must truly be a bargain.

I do have two observations; the air nit line does wear out faster than I expected near the top most eyelets.

I see a lot of guy with Grafs. They look like they've been around a long time and when I ask the answer is "I've had them a long time."

My second observation is that regardless of who makes the equipment, people who don't dry out and, or, clean the equipment are the ones who complain that the equipment wears out; so dry out your skates.

[Jarick 5]

Another damn eyelet came out last night.

[Hermans 9]

I got 735's as seconds for a substantial discount. It's been two years and they've held up well; so well in fact you can still see that the final look of the skate is far below that of a new Bauer. That being said they have been durable and perform well. Graf seems to push a large number of seconds onto the market.

I got 735's as seconds for a substantial discount. It's been two years and they've held up well; so well in fact you can still see that the final look of the skate is far below that of a new Bauer. That being said they have been durable and perform well. Graf seems to push a large number of seconds onto the market.

[Too Old 1]

Both pairs of my Grafs are perfect. I bought a pair of Avery's G3 custom returns that were brand new and use those primarily. I also bought a pair of Swiss-made 703's from a member on here. They were brand new customs as well. Neither pair has any defects or has fallen apart thus far. Love the Graf skates! (The Missons were a pair of one-off customs made for Fedorov and never had ice holders mounted on them. There are minor cosmetic differences in the left/right boots so he could've chosen either look. I'm seriously contemplating pulling the Sprungs and putting ice holders on them as I like the fit of them as well. They're very similar in construction and fit to a blend of 703 and 735's.)

[mfd1068 0]

I've had a couple pair of Graf's. The first was a Swiss made skate. At the time, its quality was so far ahead of Bauer and CCM. My second pair was a Canadian made Graf 727. I had several issues with the skates. The CS was great. Shipped the skates to Calgary,fixed and returned in a couple of days. I was impressed! What has happened? The use to be a very high end skate. I'm in the market for new skates and I'm thinking about CCM U 12 or Bauer one 80's. I looked at the newer Graf G series and was not impressed.

[lampliter87 8]

I'm a couple months into my G35's, so far no durability issues beyond normal wear and tear.

[sweed 5]

Both pairs of my Grafs are perfect. I bought a pair of Avery's G3 custom returns that were brand new and use those primarily. I also bought a pair of Swiss-made 703's from a member on here. They were brand new customs as well. Neither pair has any defects or has fallen apart thus far. Love the Graf skates! (The Missons were a pair of one-off customs made for Fedorov and never had ice holders mounted on them. There are minor cosmetic differences in the left/right boots so he could've chosen either look. I'm seriously contemplating pulling the Sprungs and putting ice holders on them as I like the fit of them as well. They're very similar in construction and fit to a blend of 703 and 735's.)

What size are those Missions made for Fedorov?

[Too Old 1]

What size are those Missions made for Fedorov?

My G3's are a 9 and 703's are an 8.5. The Missions seem to be right in that area; they're not marked though. The 3's are a pair of Avery's returns; not sure of the history of the 703's though but was told they'd come from the Sharks.

[xFortune 0]

703 <3

[thefeebster 0]

Hi guys,

I was looking at a pair of used Graf 703s. Fit my feet like a glove if i wear thin socks.

Boots are in newly used condition. I've never worn grafs before, so i am not sure if this is normal. It is a bit more more pronounced than the picture shows. The holder just looks a bit wavy and i heard a slight rattle when i was banging my foot to the back of the boot.

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Steel looks like it hasn't been sharpened more than twice. So i don't want to change the holders unless its really required. Thoughts?

[team50 20]

Those have likely been replaced since they don't come with copper.

[Too Old 1]

Might be a loose piece of plastic/etc in the holder. Doubt I'd worry about that too much if all looks good. You can remove the steel and make sure the bolts/etc are okay too.