Chattering on Stops

[th6252 25]

Wasn't sure if this was a technique or equipment problem so decided to post here.

A little background first. Got back into hockey about 5 years ago and the first thing I did was look for new skates. After going through a pricey search process(with some bad fitters) I finally settled on some x60's that seemed to fit my feet the best at the time with the help of a respected member here.

What I didn't anticipate (and let me clarify that I put the blame solely on myself) is the padding on the inside breaking in to the point of starting to cause some heel slip and hot spots after about 2 years of moderate use. Tried going down a .5 size and they just didn't feel right so had to start a new search, but this time having gained more knowledge.

Having read about the fit characteristics of the Graf G35's, it sounded like they might work and went to a local shop, tried them on, and the rest is history.

Now, on to the chattering. Ever since getting back into the game, I've had a chattering issue(more specifically, on the outide edge of my inside foot stopping on either side) on my stops with whatever skates I used(bauer, reebok, easton) and in multiple radii...until I got my grafs. These were the first skates I used that I had no chattering on my stops. I always just assumed it was a technique issue until the grafs...no issues at all. Is iit the boot? holder? Combo of boot/holder? Or is it still a technique issue? Switched back to the x60's for a few s&p sessions and the chattering came back.

Anyone have any ideas? Been tempted to swap holders between my x60's and g35's, but outside of the cost, I'm guessing there's a risk of ruining both boots.

[Buckshot 0]

Have you tried different ROHs when getting your skates sharpened? I imagine you have, but I mention it because it's the only thing you did not mention, and it's the easiest thing to change. I got the chattering sometimes when I skated on a 1/2" ROH but it stopped when I switched to cuts offering less bite. I suppose that wouldn't indicate why it stopped when you switched to Grafs, Anyway, just a thought.

[th6252 25]

Yep, I actually mentioned it in my post "in different radii", wasn't very clear though. Always been a 1/2"-9/16" guy but tried up to 3/4" and still didn't make a difference.

[chippa13 1844]

I would guess it has something to do with the higher cut and increased stiffness of the boot.

[Souldriver 64]

Your saying that the other boots fit well but there was some space there right? Maybe with that space the boot is moving ever so slightly and is grabbing more and chattering?

[boo10 323]

I'm assuming you did not change the out of box profile of each skate? If so, Graf has an 11' radius and aggressive forward pitch. The combination of the two could be working to improve your technique, specifically shifting your weight to the balls of your feet. Chatter can also be caused by uneven edges, but it's unlikely that every skate you've used other than the Graf's have had this issue.

[Chadd 916]

I would guess that the combination of radius and hollow on the Grafs is just about optimal for your technique. In the other cases, there must have been some variable that was throwing things off.

[th6252 25]

I would guess it has something to do with the higher cut and increased stiffness of the boot.

huh, never gave that much thought, but sounds quite possible.

Your saying that the other boots fit well but there was some space there right? Maybe with that space the boot is moving ever so slightly and is grabbing more and chattering?

no, the only the x60's and g35's seemed to fit right. other boots that were tried were easton s12, reebok 9k and someone else's supreme one75 and flexlite 4.0 pro. i had chattering with all but the g35's.

I'm assuming you did not change the out of box profile of each skate? If so, Graf has an 11' radius and aggressive forward pitch. The combination of the two could be working to improve your technique, specifically shifting your weight to the balls of your feet. Chatter can also be caused by uneven edges, but it's unlikely that every skate you've used other than the Graf's have had this issue.

i tried multiple pitches, hollows and profiles with the x60's. +1 forward pitch; 9', 11' and 12' profiles, hollows ranging from 1/2" to 3/4". no matter what, i had chattering. the only thing i had done with the grafs is changed them to a 9' profile with a pitch adjusted one step towards neutral. the grafs never caused me any chattering.

I would guess that the combination of radius and hollow on the Grafs is just about optimal for your technique. In the other cases, there must have been some variable that was throwing things off.

i'm really hoping this to be the case as it would be nice to have other skate options down the road that i don't have chattering problems with. i'm not delusional enough to think it's not at least in part a technique issue, however.

[ktang 34]

Maybe the steel alignment on your Graf skates is more to the outside of your skates than in the skates that give you the chatter problem? If that's the case, then with your chattering skates, you could try stopping with your shoulders farther forward + your hips further back.