Custom Total Ones with Graf tongues - Peaches job!

[MLSman 22]

To my surprise, my box arrived a day earlier than expected! I have been using my custom TOs for about 4 months now and I love them. The only thing that has been bugging me was the tongue. The reflex tongue is great technology, but I am a bigger fan of thick felt tongues, so I decided to call JR. He says, "yo dog, call the best in the biz (Peaches pro repair) and have the tongues replaced". I was able to get a set of Graf 705 tongues (best in my opinion for a traditional tongue) in a size 10. I wore graf 705s in the past, so I knew my Graf skate size was 9.5. I could only get the tongues in full sizes, so bought the size 10s.

Here is a great pic of the craftsmanship of Peaches:

Needless to say...what a great job. He leveraged the material from the front of the TO and removed the reflex tongue completely. Here is a pic of the skate laced...love the extra tongue length:

And this ones dedicated to the tongue flappers. Total flappability out the box!

Special thanks to Peaches and JR...can't wait to use these bad boys!

[jsykes 35]

If you dont mind me asking, about how much did this cost you? Also, did you get the tongues on your own or did Peaches supply them?

I'd like to do something similar. I went with the TO because of the little bit of extra width that the last gives and I needed, but I dont really like the reflex tongue and would like to do something similar.

[MLSman 22]

If you dont mind me asking, about how much did this cost you? Also, did you get the tongues on your own or did Peaches supply them?

I'd like to do something similar. I went with the TO because of the little bit of extra width that the last gives and I needed, but I dont really like the reflex tongue and would like to do something similar.

$50 plus shipping for the install. Also, I got the tongues on my own.

[icedog0190 0]

those look soooooooo dirty!!!

[jsykes 35]

Cool. Thanks.

[Krev 86]

Gotta love the work that Peaches does. Awesome swap.

[booyaagrandma 4]

Gotta love the work that Peaches does. Awesome swap.

I'll second that, Mark does great work and is excellent to deal with.

[boconnor811 0]

MLSman - skates look great... Were you worried at all about the fit changing a lot with the new tongues?

[MLSman 22]

Tried em on...fit is better. The part where the tongue meets the toecap is thicker than the TO tongue, which removed negative space in that gap. The difference in the thickness for the rest of the tongue is marginal at worst. It was exactly what I had hoped for.

[lampliter87 8]

Love the look of those Graf felts, I had pretty bad lacebite in them though.

[MLSman 22]

Just played first game in them tonight. Felt amazing. So much more comfortable...like a down comforter around the top of the foot. How I missed thick felt.

Once my tibialis anterior tendonitis is under control (took a sick slapshot square on the ankle 3 weeks ago...feels like the bone bruise is gone but the tendon was also affected) I will be very happy. I was able to do everything I could do with the reflex tongue...but the added level of comfort with felt made me so happy I did it. Still cant push off 100% on the right foot...but its getting better as the pain was not as severe as the last couple weeks. This was the first time I could fit my foot into the boot in three weeks...I would see stars as soon as I slipped on the skate.

[chipmtu 0]

The custom TOs have a felt option. My skates have added padding and !/2" added to the tongue, so I'm not sure what got me the felt with the reflex tongue. I was expecting a longer TO tongue but got the TO tongue stitched to a felt tongue, I've been very happy with this set-up.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Is that recent? Reason why I am asking is because the name has changed from Reflex to 3Flex for 2011.

Only problem with felt is that it isn't going to be as pliable as what is on the standard TO tongue...

[SolarWind 23]

Is that recent? Reason why I am asking is because the name has changed from Reflex to 3Flex for 2011.

Only problem with felt is that it isn't going to be as pliable as what is on the standard TO tongue...

I received my customs not so long ago & also noticed the tongue change to 3Flex

also it looks like inserts have gotten a bit shorter...

MLS - just out of curiosity what made you switch really? I thought you were raving about the sling effect & how happy you were that JR had convinved you to go with the stock tongue?

also since you were "able to do everything I could do with the reflex tongue" what does it mean in terms of effectiveness of this new invention?

[MLSman 22]

MLS - just out of curiosity what made you switch really? I thought you were raving about the sling effect & how happy you were that JR had convinved you to go with the stock tongue?

also since you were "able to do everything I could do with the reflex tongue" what does it mean in terms of effectiveness of this new invention?

I still think the alive technology in the tongue is truly innovative...in fact I believe that in the not too distant future we will see a return to the traditional tongue with alive material between the exterior and the layer of felt. I really liked the sling effect, but as a matter of personal preference, the comfort of the traditional felt is more appealing. The reflex tongue you have is interesting too, because it adds the thick felt to the equation.

As far as being "able to do everything I could do with the reflex tongue"...I did not feel as if I had to work harder to skate, or that my speed or performance was in any way negatively impacted by the switch. The choice came down to comfort, and the traditional thick felt tongue just feels more comfortable to me. Once my foot fully heals or I get the pain under control I look forward to spending more time in the skate.

[boconnor811 0]

Tried em on...fit is better. The part where the tongue meets the toecap is thicker than the TO tongue, which removed negative space in that gap. The difference in the thickness for the rest of the tongue is marginal at worst. It was exactly what I had hoped for.

Well I commend you for hoping for the best with such expensive skates. I think I'll look to do something like this on my next pair.

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

INteresting combo, how does it affect the fit around the ankle area with the higher volume tongue?

[MLSman 22]

INteresting combo, how does it affect the fit around the ankle area with the higher volume tongue?

One noticeable difference was that I didn't have to tie the skates as tight to get the wrap I like around the ankles. As far as the additional height of the tongue...I felt no difference in the fit. I wear tongues inside with shins over the tongue. Didn't restrict any movement vs the reflex tongue.

[x-axis 44]

Also, I got the tongues on my own.

where did you get the tongues? need them in a size 7. smallest size prostockhockeygear has is in an 8.

[MLSman 22]

I got them from PSHG. Luckily their stock was in my size range.

I have skated in them 3 times and I am loving the combo. My tendonitis is getting better so as the pain goes away, the more I will be working these bad boys.

I really like the fact that I do not have to lace the skates as tight as I used to. It releases the pressure on my anterior tibialis so I have been able to skate more (played two pickups on Friday). I was a little sore...compared to not being able to tie the skates without excruciating pain.

[number21 3]

where did you get the tongues? need them in a size 7. smallest size prostockhockeygear has is in an 8.

There are reebok felt tongues out there online also (don't know about there quality).

Or on their website george's hockey repair has felt tongues on their price guide. They look like the old bauer ones.