Thinking about getting my skates contoured ...

[Crazy Otto 0]

I am thinking about getting my skate blades contoured so they are rockered slightly forward; I seem to be back on my heels too much. Is this a good idea or should I just get some good advice on my skating technique?

I currently have Bauer Supreme 5000s. They're OK, got them second hand but they wouldn't be my first choice if I was buying new. Any suggestions, is this a good idea?

[prenny207 1]

first off, what condition are the blades in. if the blades are worn down too much, it would be pointless, if you still have pleanty of blade, then i would stronly recommend a contour. the blades could have been contoured in the past for a defensman, or never done at all. the blades could be way off and not have the same rocker between the two. so basically, if you have enough steel, contour, if not... get new steel, and contour

[Slapshot 0]

I don't agree with contouring for a specific position. It does not make sense!

Defencemen skate forward as much as they skate backwards. If you contour your skates for a specific position then you are taking away from the opposite direction.

Gretzsky had his blades cut to a 7 foot radius. What that means is that if you draw a circle with a 7 foot radius, the blade would then be cut to match the arc of the circle. In that way the blade is also "contoured" equally from toe to heel.

Shifting the centre of Gravity of a blade to the front or back is crap.

Most blades come from the factory cut at a 9 foot radius.

I had my blades cut to a 7 foot radius and it was a HUGE difference. But, you better be a good skater because its a little more difficult to skate. Less blade on the ice and better turning radius. It was hard to get used to. I would do it in steps so its not that big of a jump.

[Chadd 916]

Most blades come from the factory cut at a 9 foot radius.

As has been posted many times:

Bauer - Tuuks 9 ft

CCM - Prolite 10ft

Graf - Cobra 11ft

Mission - Pitch 11ft

[Slapshot 0]

Thanks for the info.

Sorry, just a new-b.

[Crazy Otto 0]

I'm not in a big hurry to get it done; in fact I haven't made my mind up to do it at all. I just notice that in cornering and stopping sometimes I seem to be too far back on my heels and I'm thinking my center of balance needs to be over the balls of my feet.

[Eazy_b97 1]

If you want a change, get them profiled, not contoured.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Profiling and contouring can be viewed as the same.

The best way to go about it is to assess your skating style. Me, I didn't bend my knees enough. So, now I get a forward radius.

[dix0r 0]

I'm not in a big hurry to get it done; in fact I haven't made my mind up to do it at all. I just notice that in cornering and stopping sometimes I seem to be too far back on my heels and I'm thinking my center of balance needs to be over the balls of my feet.

or you could get heel lifts...

[Eazy_b97 1]

Profiling and contouring can be viewed as the same.

I was taught that Contouring was just lopping off the front for forwards, back for defensemen. We don't do it at our place, but thats the questions asked at the other places.

A. Do you want your skates Contoured?

B. Are you a forward or Defenseman?

I can see it being viewed as the same thing though, so thats to clarify my earlier statement.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I know, but I'm saying, the term is used loosely. Some people might view rockering as a custom radius, and some of just trimming the heels and toes.

[blackhawks4ever 0]

Does anybody know what the radius is on the t-blades: S,M and L. Thanks.

[Chadd 916]

Does anybody know what the radius is on the t-blades: S,M and L. Thanks.

9,10,11

[blackhawks4ever 0]

The tuuks that I had on my Vapor 10's (prior to me replacing them with t-blades) were contoured. Is there an easy way to discern what the radius was on the tuuk blades???

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ken - you can trace the blade shape, then compare it to a new pair of unsharpened skates, or if your LHS has radius templates, just match it up to that.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I had my Grafs contoured to put me more on my toes before. It didn't work out well, I ended up more on my heels since my feet were compensating the wrong way. At the time, I didn't know that the Cobras in particular were already pitched forward more than other holders. Just a different perspective on contouring for what it's worth.

[Sniper407 0]

just wondering if this could work...

i believe t-blades come in 3 different contoures... maybe if you can invest in them you could experiment with everything about your blade without having to trust a contour job to your 17 year old LHS sharpener ;) ?

this isnt a statement but more like a answer i put together from logic and im just wondering if its correct

edit:

sorry i missed a post... but would tblades be a good idea for someone who wants to experiment or is the cost/getting used to them too much?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Depends if you'll use the T'blades. I've found a good sharpening better than T'blades. In principle for stores around here, experimenting with profiles alone, will cost more with sharpening/profiling as opposed to T'blades. However there are more options with your LHS on radius and there are also more hollows. You'd also have to factor in the installation of the T'blades and such. It'd be dependant on the charged in the area, but generally a profile costs $30 cdn and a set of T'blades is $20 cdn.

[Reijo29 0]

Contouring and T-Blades-

I had my skates Contoured by the guy said to be just the best at it, and really didn't notice much difference except actually being just a tad slower. This was because a big increase in the Rocker really made me feel unstable but probably because I don't use giant rocker. This was done on my Graf 705's.

Then I had T-Blades put on and experimented with every different Rocker, Hollow out there. The Small or S Radius is back 1 degree. The M is neutral and the L is 1 degree forward. I know a lot of people stay away from the L because they think it means not enough Rocker and too much blade on the ice. I swear it doesn't feel any different except for the pitch being forward, backward or in the middle.

Then, as for the Hollows, it really is not an Apples to Apples comparison. 1/2 inch regular sharpening compared to a TBlade 1/2 inch comparable blade(9 or 11 I think), really feels totally different. Start with the M-13 and work from there. But, me, my son and a few others worked down to the 11 and then 9 and eventually worked our way back up. Without a doubt, and don't think I am crazy, but the 15 is the mark. The Glide is the best I have ever had. And my son just seems to stay at top speed much, much longer. AGAIN, not a real comparison to a regualr awesome sharpening by JR or someone else, but really just a comparison within the TBlade world.

I will tell you also, the difference in stability and speed was significant from the S-9 to the L-15 for me, my kid and 2 others who tinker around like lunatics like us. Oh yeah, do you all remember Michele Petit? Anyway, he's in PA now converting lots of kids and friends to the TBlade system. He and the boys with him recommend the M-15 but his preference...M-21 !!!! Crzy but he says the glide is crazy and he has no problems at all with edges and agility.

Late

[Chadd 916]

The Small or S Radius is back 1 degree. The M is neutral and the L is 1 degree forward.

I haven't seen anything from t'blade saying the different lengths are pitched in any direction. Simply that they are the the 9'(s), 10'(m) 11'(l) rocker length.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think the sharpener has alot to do with things as well. It should be apples to apples. I've found a great increase in glide since I started using a shallower Hollow. I'm currently at about 1 and 1/16.

I also thought the S, M, L were just the rocker length and not the pitch.

[prenny207 1]

I've found a great increase in glide since I started using a shallower Hollow. I'm currently at about 1 and 1/16.

started using a shallower hollow... good god man, thats that flattest ive ever heard of a player having skates sharpened at, and thats after 10 years of sharpeing. most pro's don't go flatter than 3/4".

but you are right about the fact that it depends on the sharpener. a great sharpening is tough to beat.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Messier skates at 1" - Coffey was known to go even flatter.

[prenny207 1]

Messier skates at 1" - Coffey was known to go even flatter.

oh i know there are some guys that go flatter... just mentioned most pros.... i was just supprised to see that flat!!!

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I hear ya. I got into it with a guy who said that every person should skate with a 3/8" radius. He was shocked to hear I skate in a 7/8". People are retards.