kevingta 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 Been looking at getting new skates, currently have Graf 502's that need to be replaced. I've been looking at a few clearout skates, Bauer One70's, Easton EQ5 and the Graf 709/705 skates. All around the same price ($170-$220). I've tried the One70s and EQ5's both in 8.5EE in the store and they fit ok out of the box (I will bake when I buy them). I haven't tried on the Graf 705 yet but have tried the 709. While google researching the Grafs, the most common complaint is that they're heavy and based on old technology. Only reason why I'm gravitating towards Graf again is I'm fairly familiar with the fit and forward pitch but I'm not stuck on brands. I'm playing rec league 2-5 times a week year round. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 709 will be completely different from the 502. Much taller and stiffer, plus the fit is much wider. I was once told that 75% of people fit into a 705. I don't know how accurate that is, but it does fit the "average" foot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kovalchuk71 212 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 I enjoyed my 705's, but they got soft on me too fast. Moved up to the G35 and am much happier with the stiffness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mack 44 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 705s are the skate I always end up going back to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flaming_june 2 Report post Posted December 5, 2012 I Just got the 709s, I don't think they are heavy. they fit perfectly except my left heel needs a small gel pad to fill the space in the back. What questions do you have about it specifically? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyster110 3 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 i had a pair of 709s and i was skating about as much as you were and i only got 11 months before they felt as soft as running shoes, it may be worth your time to look at a higher model than those Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevingta 0 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 I Just got the 709s, I don't think they are heavy. they fit perfectly except my left heel needs a small gel pad to fill the space in the back. What questions do you have about it specifically?Not so much wondering about the fit, wondering if what the general Graf comments are true with the old technology. Will I be missing out by not getting skates made with the latest technology? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iniesta 0 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 Not so much wondering about the fit, wondering if what the general Graf comments are true with the old technology. Will I be missing out by not getting skates made with the latest technology?You'll be missing out on the flexible tendon guards like the ones on the NXG. They really do provide a great range of motion compared to older skates that have stiff, aggressive tendon guards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JIMRB96 0 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 Fit should always take precedence over technology. You can always have the pitch and profile of the blade formed to get that forward lean on any skate. That being said if you like the feel of the 709, which is slightly forward leaning I'd go for it. I used 705s in HS and tried the 709 but didn't like the fit. My feet have changed and gotten wider so I went to CCM U+. I can't be sure but the quality on Graf doesn't seem as good as the Swiss made ones I used in the early 90's. Alas though Graf is still around so they can't be bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 You'll be missing out on the flexible tendon guards like the ones on the NXG. They really do provide a great range of motion compared to older skates that have stiff, aggressive tendon guardsIt's funny how people used to complain when the stiffer tendon guards crack and got flexible, but now a stiff tendon guard is a bad thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flaming_june 2 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 Not so much wondering about the fit, wondering if what the general Graf comments are true with the old technology. Will I be missing out by not getting skates made with the latest technology?New tech:Lighter, stiffer boot. Maybe more durable, maybe more protective (Not in my experiences on last two)A bit better tendon guardsLighter, thinner tongue, less protective, more prone to lace bite (I had it on nikebauer/rbk for while)Poor heel liner compared to the 709. LS2/fusion etc liner, I'd imagine a bit lighter as well. From what I can tell, Graf holder is just as stiff as LS2 holder.Also with RBK you lack the pump/bladder. That was one of the first things my friend asked me when he saw I went from RBK9k to Grafs. So far I don't think it's an issue at all. 709s is the widest/deepest fitting boot that I've ever tried, and it has fit near perfect (better than any other) skate I've ever tried.Maybe there are more things new tech will get you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuie7 6 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 The Graf 709's are very wide. They're perfect for me, Vapor XXXX's and Flexlite 4.0's both in 9.5EE were too narrow for me.i had a pair of 709s and i was skating about as much as you were and i only got 11 months before they felt as soft as running shoes, it may be worth your time to look at a higher model than thoseThe 700 and G series ARE the top of the range Graf skates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 6, 2012 The 700 and G series ARE the top of the range Graf skates.Yes and no. There is more technology in the newer lines, making them more expensive and giving them more features. While the 7XX series have not changed dramatically and are still well-crafted skates, they are not equal to the newer series/models. They are excellent skates for the people that prefer that type of construction but they are no longer flagship products for the company. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevingta 0 Report post Posted December 8, 2012 I was set on getting the Grafs again, went to the LHS and the owner (its a mom and pop shop) actually talked me out of buying Grafs. He was saying how the Grafs 7xx were great for the money upto a few years ago but not anymore. He was recommending the Nexus 600's, but didn't have my size so I left empty handed.I was doing my online research again and came across a pair of used Kor Shift 1's for $20 on Kijiji (cosmetically not so good). Brought them home not knowing what to expect, baked them in my oven as closely following the instructions as possible, got them sharpened to my liking and wow, I couldn't believe how good they felt on my first skate on an outdoor rink. I've played three times in them and can't believe how well they fit and how easy it is to do tight turns in them. I saw a new pair on Ebay for $80 and bought them right away, hopefully I'll be good for the next few years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuie7 6 Report post Posted December 9, 2012 Yes and no. There is more technology in the newer lines, making them more expensive and giving them more features. While the 7XX series have not changed dramatically and are still well-crafted skates, they are not equal to the newer series/models. They are excellent skates for the people that prefer that type of construction but they are no longer flagship products for the company.Wore both the G70's and 709's - I'm not talented enough to find a difference in performance, found them exactly the same! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
habitant 0 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 what's the equivalent g series model to the 709, fit-wise? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hampshirepuck 2 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 according to the graf website the closest fit to the 709's is the g75 or g65, Personally I am huge graf fan, the 709's are probably one of the widest skates on the market, I don't know if your a barefoot skater or not, but the air-net lining is pretty abrasive, 705 fits similar to the supreme line of skates. are you in canada? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
habitant 0 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 i'm in the us, chicago actually. anyone have recommendations for authorized graf dealers in the area for a proper fitting? i think the 705 or similar g series would be out since supremes have always been too narrow. i've always worn tacks, or going even further back, riedells - haha remember those? the 709 has always looked like a good option for me, but i've never had a chance to try them on and i'm now considering the more modern g series instead. i'm also looking at the bauer nexus 600s as well but would rather buy something fabrique au canada. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hampshirepuck 2 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 The thing about the 709's is that they are very soft, if you like soft skates then go with the 709's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 The thing about the 709's is that they are very soft, if you like soft skates then go with the 709's707s and 727s are soft, 709s are tall and stiff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cove 39 Report post Posted December 23, 2012 Hows the stifness on the 705s? Or is the softness the same across the 7xx line Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 23, 2012 Hows the stifness on the 705s? Or is the softness the same across the 7xx lineEvery model in the 700 line is somewhat different in terms of stiffness. Out of the box, I would say they are similar to an RBK 20k. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shooter27 116 Report post Posted December 23, 2012 707s and 727s are soft, 709s are tall and stiffDo they actually make a 707 anymore? I know they make a g7 of similar construction, but I haven't seen a 707 on sale for years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3804 Report post Posted December 23, 2012 Yep. It was always a specialized skate so you never saw many stores actually stocking them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
