Graf Attack Holder

[boo10 323]

Anybody skated on the Graf Attack holder? How do they compare to Cobra, LS2, E-Pro?

[hunterphfr 12]

Unless they've changed their steel, the holder isn't Grafs biggest issue.

[jimmy 194]

Unless they've changed their steel, the holder isn't Grafs biggest issue.

Explain.

[hunterphfr 12]

Not sure if they're using the same steel as they used to. I didn't find the holders bad, but really wasn't imprssed with the steel. But my experience:

-Pitch3s on Mission Fuel 120 XPs great steel

-Graf G9s blah steel sluggish and unresponsive, too shallow at juncture of tongue/toe cap, shelved them, if I'd continued using would have gone to Step Steel

-Pitch3s on Kor Shift1s as above

-Pitch3s on Shift2s as above

-Fusion on Bauer TotalOnes not as good as Pitch or Step but like them a lot more than the G9 steel and crazy light, but they are bent and new ones are pretty expensive, probably going to Step

-CCM U+12 steel was ok better than Graf, son skates A LOT changed it out after a the blade wore down for Step

In short I just wasn't impressed with the Graf steel. For a top of the line North American made skate I expected more. In a word my opinion would be: meh.

My son and I both need new steel and I accidentally deleted my skater profile email. I'll be asking for a new one shortly.

[jimmy 194]

You can't compare many runners to Kor/Missions. That was great steel. Although the Mako is pretty close to that but nothing is better than the Rocket runners, not even the Missions.. The graf steel is as good or better than anything bauer has to offer. I really don't think it's that bad but if you want a upgrade, Step is the best choice or Blackedge which blows everything else on the market away.

[Jakedajewler 1]

The steel and holder on graf's suck, I had mine swapped out for tuuk, although now i'm having problems with those because they don't hold the rivets very well

[Vet88 674]

I don't mind the cobra 5000 holder but the steel on the G3 ultras I got this year are the worst I have ever seen. They don't hold an edge, aren't straight and rust like mad even though I religiously dry them immediately after every skate. Steels on my Rbk 7ks, CCM cl's, one100's and SE16's never had these issues

[customskateworks 39]

The steel and holder on graf's suck, I had mine swapped out for tuuk, although now i'm having problems with those because they don't hold the rivets very well

If they aren't holding rivets they were most likely not installed properly. It is possible to re-use the RMS mounting screws for the Tuuks in most cases, but some work will need to be done. Some shops will try to re-use the gapping holes left when the RMS nuts are removed to install rivets. If they do this, the rivets will pull through.

[boo10 323]

Thought I would revive this as the thread kind of went off track. I am curious to know if anyone has experience or opinions on Graf's Attack holder. I am familiar with Cobra holders, but not the Attack. Is it Graf's low end holder? Can't find any reviews.

[jsykes 35]

It is a lower end holder than the cobra holders.

I dont think its quite as substantial as the cobra holders, but other than that, there really isnt anything too bad about them. Of course, I'm also of the mind that many "issues" with holders and steel that you read about are in people's heads as most holders on the market are perfectly fine and there is no need to go through the headaches of swapping them for another brand like so many want to do.

The only issue I've seen with some Attach holders is that they're seem to be using a smaller headed lollipop that holds the steel in. I've seen this twist in the steel and then have the steel fall out. I'd suggest taking the steel out and checking this and if its the small head, replace it with a lollipop with a larger head on it.

Once we've done that, we dont see them coming back with issues.

[boo10 323]

It is a lower end holder than the cobra holders.

I dont think its quite as substantial as the cobra holders, but other than that, there really isnt anything too bad about them. Of course, I'm also of the mind that many "issues" with holders and steel that you read about are in people's heads as most holders on the market are perfectly fine and there is no need to go through the headaches of swapping them for another brand like so many want to do.

The only issue I've seen with some Attach holders is that they're seem to be using a smaller headed lollipop that holds the steel in. I've seen this twist in the steel and then have the steel fall out. I'd suggest taking the steel out and checking this and if its the small head, replace it with a lollipop with a larger head on it.

Once we've done that, we dont see them coming back with issues.

I tend to agree with you about holder issues being mostly in the person's head, (Other than misaligned holders which seems to be getting more common). I've been playing hockey for 38 years and have skated on everything from pre-Tuuk tube skates to ICM, LS2, e-pro and just about everything in between. With an equivalent radius and boot, there's not much difference, other than pitch which is easily adjusted. Some will argue that something like the Custom+ holder is softer and has a spongier feel, and while there is some truth to that, in my opinion, it's not enough to impact one's skating performance. I think the bigger issue is the shape of stock steel from each of the manufacturers. Bauer steel has a huge toe out of the box, while CCM is more rounded. Easton runners have a very square heel. Many people say a Bauer skate will put you more on your heels, but I think some of that sensation is not being able to get out over the toe of the skate because of the runner shape, especially in modern skates with tremendously stiff boots.

Having said all that, I think that a psychological issue is just as valid as a physical issue when it comes to your gear. If you're convinced something isn't right it will affect your performance. People should continue to shim, lift, shave, profile and tweak their gear until it feels like an extension of your body because it will help in the long run and let's face it, messing with our gear is half the fun!