Kor Shift 2 Holder Problem

[sickwilly 37]

Recently I bought a pair of Kor Shift 2s on ebay. The price was right, so I figured I'd grab them as backups while I still could. As they were to be backup skates that I don't need right now, I never scrutinized them until today (well after the return period).

Today, I noticed that the holders are mismatched. One is a 280, the other a 288. I'm not sure which is the right one for a size 10 Kor Shift 2. The labels inside the tongue are slightly different, but both read that they are a size 10.

I have a few questions, in case the guy is unwilling to make it right (if so, I will gladly share the seller's ID in the ebay idiot or not thread, to hopefully save someone here from a similar bad experience).

Is the size 10 Kor Shift 2 supposed to have size 280 or 288 holders?

Since the holders are a similar size, will there be a problem mounting a 280 or 288 (whichever is the right size) on one skate? I worry about the base weakening if the holes would have to be drilled so close together.

If I'm unable to get the issue resolved with the right skate or another Pitch holder, is there another holder that might work well on this skate?

I have felt fine on 280s in both E Pro holders (11k and Vector 10.0) and LS2s (Flexlite 4.0 Pro) - both sharpened and used as they came to me. I have not had skates profiled in a very, very long time.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[althoma1 575]

I know my 8.5 Shift 2's have 272mm holders. A former KOR employee mentioned size 9 and 9.5 KORS take 280mm holders: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42756-kor-shift-1-holder-size/?p=622179

So that leads me to believe that size 10 (and 10.5) Shift 2's would use size 288mm holders.

Tuuk C+ and Easton RBII use the same mounting pattern as per JR's post circa 2006: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/17602-putting-t-blades-on-kor-skates/?p=236106

I realize that's not entirely critical as new holes would have to be drilled on one skate anyway since right now they have two different sized holders.

What size were you in the 11k's, Vectors and Flexlites? I've tried on all of those skates (and have worn two of them - the Vectors and the Flexlites) in the past and found that I needed to go one size up in KORs to get the correct fit. I was 7.5 in those skates and wear 8.5 KORS. The 8.5 Shift 2's felt like they were on the small size when I first got them (my right toe was pressed against the cap), but after baking and breaking them in my toes are actually just off the cap now. So first before worrying about the holders I'd recommend double checking the sizing - if you can't feel the toe cap with your toes now then you may want to see if you can find a size 9.5.

Now, if you're sure 10 is the size you need disregard that. I just thought I'd mention it because I was afraid that I'd bought a size a half size too small (even though I'd already been wearing an 8.5 Shift 1) Shift 2 when I first got them and that definitely wasn't the case after wearing them. I know that a size 9 probably would've felt right initially, but would probably have too much room now. I'm glad I stuck with the smaller size. The thought that the 10's may be a little big for you occured to me because your previous holders were 280 and usually you'd take the same size holder in new skates (of course size 10 is right on the borderline and you likely could use 280mm holders on them even though I believe they're supposed to come with 288mm holders).

[sickwilly 37]

Thanks for the great info. I actually had a couple pair of 9.5s and found that after using one for a while, that they were just a little too small (even though I wear an 8.5E in CCM/RBK, but would prefer double E). The 10s just feel a little better on my feet. I hope to keep them and resolve the blade issue somehow.

[Chadd 916]

I have a 10.5 and 11 in the shift 2. The 10.5 has 288 and the 11 has 296. I would not want to have new holders mounted on Shift 2 boots due to the use of the mounting plate inside.

[althoma1 575]

Thanks for the great info. I actually had a couple pair of 9.5s and found that after using one for a while, that they were just a little too small (even though I wear an 8.5E in CCM/RBK, but would prefer double E). The 10s just feel a little better on my feet. I hope to keep them and resolve the blade issue somehow.

No problem. If the 9.5s were just a touch small even after baking them and breaking them in (not sure how long you wore them) then one option would be to cut out the neoprene liner in the toe area. That may give you just enough room to use the 9.5s, but if you're sure about the 10's then hopefully the eBay seller has another pair of 10's that he can send you if you send your current pair back. If it's the seller I'm thinking of (I also picked up some backup KORs myself) he seems to have multiple pairs of some sizes.

[sickwilly 37]

I'm guessing it's the same guy.

@ Chadd - Do you think that these skates (as they are, with the mismatched holders) are toast? I hadn't thought about the mounting plate.

[Chadd 916]

I swap between my Missions (280) and Kors (288) all the time without issues and a 10' profile is the same amount of steel on the ice, no matter what size skate it's on. That said, I don't know that I would want to skate on mismatched steel. I would probably send them back, but that's just me.

[sickwilly 37]

I have my fingers crossed that the guy will do the right thing. Fortunately, I haven't used them or baked them. I didn't notice the issue until I had them for a little while and was checking out the size of the steel to possibly get a backup pair.

I wouldn't mind going between 280s and 288s if they two different sets of skates. I definitely don't want to skate on mismatched steel, though.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

You can scrap the mounting plates and do a conventional mount, I think.

I didn't tinker much with Shift2, all I remember is that Shift1 was a pain in the ass.