Answering Your Skate Blade Questions! - September Q&A

[@mpdnd1335]

Glad you said something about the Ice Flys. I skated for 40 yrs. then took a break of 15 yrs decided to do it again. Things had changed and I was unaware of what had changed. Everyone was into the Edea Ice Flys so I tried them. They were not for me as I skated in Harlicks and SPTeri's before. To top it off the guy that mounted the blades apparently had never mounted Edeas' before and did it totally wrong ruining the bottom of the boots, not using the gold screws and charging me a ridiculous price. When it comes to blades, those had changed also. Tapered, etc. are for skaters who are advanced and can handle them. I had always wanted to try Gold Seals. Little did I know that they no longer made them in parallel. That was a mistake. I don't buy the line that you can spin faster or jump higher on them than you can on the regular parallel blades, look at Dick Buttons jumps and Ronnie Robertson's spins from the 1950's. Technique is what gets you that.

[@ud5n]

To that comment by Thinking Thoughts: I had the SAME TROUBLE. I just got out of the Jackson Freestyle with that same blade that it comes with, and it was SO hard to do spins and footwork. It's like for spins there is a very VERY specific and small spot you have to be on in order to not be on the toepick but also not hit the back of the blade. I just upgraded to Jackson Premiere (I was due for an upgrade, coach's recommendation) with the Coronation Ace blade and that blade is incredible. Spinning is so much easier now. I noticed a difference immediately. I would work so hard and see almost no progress, and I literally thought it was just that I couldn't do certain things, but it turns out the blade was my problem. I know some people can make it work, but I for sure couldn't.

[@mpdnd1335]

In terms of the depth of a hollow, it depends on several factors like, the strength and weight of the skater, what they are going to be doing, and the hardness of the ice.

[@philmon88]

@19:29 - Thank you for highlighting the MK Pro Blade! I got the Jackson Ultima Debut instead (a notch firmer than Freestyle) combined with the MK Pro Blade and I am making good progress :)

[@curiouslyme524]

Thank you for your informative video, Coach Julia! I hope you feel better soon!

[@CoachJulia]

Thank you so much!

[@yjchoi17]

Get well soon, Coach Julia 🙏 Yup, I’m loving my Gold Seal! The blade was like a wild horse at first (kinda like my personality), but since then I can control the blade better and they have become a part of me. And the Edea Ice Fly’s…please don’t be too harsh on them…again, another part of me. Past week was episode 2 of axels. Started with some waltz-loop combos which didn’t go as well as I did in practice, but a few were good enough to get coach excited. She said “I want us to try the real axel, but since you’re gonna crash and your wife is gonna hate me for that, we’re not gonna do it.” Of course she was joking and I went for it. And crashed. After a few more crashes, I landed a few on both feet. And we called it a day. Though not consistent, I’m getting the 1.5 rotations… After all the crashes lately, my elbow and knee are bruised pretty bad. But I kinda like the pain…(I know it might sound weird) Feeling the pain but getting back up makes me feel like a teenager…such an amazing feeling!

[@CoachJulia]

Thanks so much for the update on your blades.... and your AXEL journey! So exciting. Can't wait to hear that you have landed it!

[@BeigePlayzz]

Hi Coach Julia! Can you do a tutorial on how to minimalize traveling during spins?

[@CoachJulia]

Ive just added that to my list of videos to film!

[@emmab.9264]

Hey ! Thanks for the answer ! I finally decided to go for Coronation aces or mk pro (from mark iv), but it wasn't really clear for me at that time what's what requires because people around me are still wearing beginner's balades, especially in ice dance, where you can't use the jumps to rate your blades' needs.

[@amandaputerbaugh4413]

Learned really fast about my expensive skate and blade set, when I started my learn to skate classes 😂 I thought I did all my research. Wrong. My toe pick was the size of Texas. I found out after face planting at least 5 times per lesson. I spent the money, I suffer through learning with them now 😅 that's my punishment

[@cofhdl]

Thank you so much for your informative videos! I started skating 2months ago, and i had 10years old jackson competitor boots, but it was broke so i bought edea ice fly+aspire blade combo. Now i think it’s too much for my skating level.. but i don’t have any option so i’ll try to do my best!

[@jaimiegauvin8723]

OMG! Thank you for that Freestyle vs Edea comment! I'm an adult begginner (Canskate level 6) with Jackson Freestyle that I love, but the Aspire XP blade is not helping my turns. Because a lot of skaters and coaches at my club have Edea's, I decided to try them on thinking it would help. I'm glad I did not invest in those skates. The pointy toe profil is just not for me; so uncomfortable. I'll stick with my Freestyle and look to upgrade the blade instead. I'm still not sure what blade I need, but I'll have that discussion with my coach. Keep the informative videos coming, there really helpful :)

[@zeborahnz]

Rest up and feel better soon!

[@jlitt2917]

thank you for your honest opinion on edeas!! i've gone to 3 skate techs and the first 2 tried really hard to convince me i should get edeas even though I expressed no interest in them and have heard from people that I trust that hate them. anyway, the 3rd and final skate tech was the only one who gave me an honest assessment of why i would or wouldn't like edeas and he recommended risports for me. do you know anything about the MK Dynasty blades?

[@kristyskirt9015]

Good post Hope u get better fast Kristy

[@Aritoya]

does anyone have recommendations for insoles? :( i am basically on my inside edge all the time because of my ankles .-.

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

I think it's a good idea to go to a sports orthopaedist doctor who will analyze your stance, your gait and weaknesses and indicate the best custom orthotics for you, should you need them and at the same time work with a physical therapist or trainer to increase the strenght in your ankles and feet.

[@KatasticD]

Yes, I agree with the comment above! I recently had a similar issue with my new boots. My skate tech suggested custom Orthotics. That was the solution for my over pronated feet! (Also, double check that your blades are aligned/mounted correctly.)

[@Aritoya]

@@KatasticD Ty both for your advice! :3

[@skater4life1031]

Agree agree agree! 🎉🎉 Loyal Jackson boot gal with my wide flat feet and narrow heel 😜

[@bradleyolinger1691]

@CoachJulia, I am about to start adult basic skills group lessons this week(September 14, 2023 in fact), and bought the Jackson Freestyle outfit, at the recommendation of another coach here on KZbin. I am a heavier adult male skater, at 300 lb, so needed a stiffer boot than the Artiste or Mystique would have offered. I was forced to order online due to being in an isolated area without any skate techs, but I am fairly certain I got the fit right. My classes will require five hours of travel weekly. My question is what the difference between an 8 foot rocker, such as what comes on the included Aspire XP, and 7 foot rockers, such as that on on the MK Professional? How do the different rocker radiuses affect skating?

[@DanielLeeTW]

Thank you so much Coach Julia for this very informative video. My gal is on Jackson Freestyle (w/ Aspire XP) but getting a pair of Debut as she starts to do doubles. We are considering MK professional vs Jackson's own Legacy Lite 7. Do you have some comments comparing these two blades? (Note: She is pretty good at jumps, good height and stability. But her spins are not always stable and centered.) Thanks!

[@sporty.seb1]

What do you think of the cushion blades from blade science? Do normal boots absorb the shock of a landing too? What about injuries caused by overuse?

[@lexx8398]

This isn’t about blades but still a question: I’ve found that I prefer land my waltz jumps on my left foot, hence turning clockwise, but prefer to spin anti-clockwise, is that okay, or should I try to train both feet? 🤔 (I’m a beginner, and self taught)

[@vanesamynarova7769]

Hii im starting my journey as a self taught too and im 21 yo, can i ask what radius of hollow u use for ur blades?😊

[@alisawong6715]

Hi

[@SS-br3dc]

Thank you for this video. I have a question- I will not be skating for some time, possibly a year, what is the best way to store my skates, long term? any advice is appreciated

[@CoachJulia]

Make sure the skates are fully dry and then store them without a guard or a soft guard on so that they can stay air dry.

[@amyleesuits]

thank you coach julia!! I recently got some MK Professional blades and love them, I was wondering if you think I would ever need to upgrade or could I skate on these for life? Lets say if I never advance past doubles (which I dont intend to, I'm still learning singles) I could potentially use these style of blades forever right?

[@CoachJulia]

You should be able to stay in MK professionals forever! Congrats on the new blades!

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

Greetings from Tokyo Japan, Coach Julia!!!!!!!! 🥰 As someone who has a bit of a hard time staying in the center of my blades, do you think investing in parabolic blades would make a clear difference? I currently wear Edea Ice Fly (I'm sorry, you mentioned you don't like them, but I love mine SO much) and Coronation Ace Lite blades (I am a little afraid of going from a 7 inch rocker to an 8 inch rocker. I know MK gold star has a 7 inch rocker and they come in parabolic version so I'm wondering if I should invest in them (I know they're not cheap. but I do heavily invest in my skating = ice time, coaches, equipment) and if there's a noticeable difference switching from John Wilson to MK. Also, should I just go all in and get them in revolution version. I absolutely love how they look like, have read what JW and MK say are the advantages of getting them, but would love your opinion as well. Thank you so much and I LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS, even though you don't like Edeas 😅

[@sncnjcsmom6451]

Just a minor correction. The rocker measurement refers to the radius of the circle that the blade length would consist of a tiny portion. The rocker radius for skate blades are 7 foot and 8 foot for figure skating. Hockey blades may be 7, 9, 11 or 13 foot. For a 7 foot rocker, that would mean a 14 foot diameter circle, with a circumference nearly 44 feet, so the blade length is about 1/44th of that circle that has a 7 foot radius. Radius of the hollow that we use for sharpening is inches or mm, a much tinier circle, but the concept is the same: the curve we are using is part of the circumference of a circle, with smaller radius being more curved and larger radius giving a flatter profile. The smaller rocker or radius means a more curved arc than the larger radius blade. In practical terms, this means the larger rocker blade will have more blade on the ice during glides, provide more stability, and allow a greater top speed, because the weight is distributed over more of the blade so the blade doesn't dig as deeply into the ice (for the same sharpening radius of the hollow). The smaller rocker will be easier for turns, maneuvers, and acceleration. Also in practical terms, you will have to get used to whatever new blade you buy, regardless of the rocker. Even if you buy exactly the same blades you've been skating on, chances are the new blades won't feel the same because the old blades will be different after repeated sharpenings. One of my coaches, who is a national figures champion, told me that when she went from 8' rocker to 7' rocker, she gained her loops but lost her edges until she got used to the new profile. She said she skated on Coronation Ace blades for years. They are a great all-around blade, good quality, suitable for most figure skating elements. I have not asked what blade she uses now. Another coach at the rink said that she skated on Pattern 99 blades for decades, then tried another high-end blade (I don't recall why she switched). After several months, she switched back to Pattern 99. She just never bonded with the different blade profile of the other blade, which had a different spin rocker and pick style. Talk to your coach about your skills and your goals and whether change to a parabolic blade makes sense. Coronation Ace have a parabolic option, so that might be a simple way to test whether you would benefit from the shape change. From what I've read, most skaters won't notice a difference between regular and parabolic blades unless they have very strong edges and deep knee bends in order to get the advantages of the parabolic shape.

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

@@sncnjcsmom6451 the skate shop we use here only carries parabolic for MK gold star. Yes, I always consult and discuss with both my coaches about any new equipment change before purchasing, however I wanted coach Julia's opinion about it since she mentions i her other video that parabolic blades are a good idea for helping a skater center the weight in the middle of the blade. And she's used both versions, traditional and revolution, that's why I'd like to know her opinion if possible.

[@JustMe-12345]

😂 reminds me to go get my blades sharpened (btw.... how many hours on the ice would you recommend between sharpenings or what are the signs it needs sharpening (besides feeling weird on the ice))? 😂 btw i used Graf prestige skates with lausanne blades. And had surely over 50h of ice time on them so i know i need to sharpen them (but its like 4-5h round trip to do that)

[@CoachJulia]

General rule of thumb is every 20 hours of skating. I know for sure I go longer than that! I sharpen them whenever I feel like I have lost some of my grip ability.

[@JustMe-12345]

@@CoachJulia😂okey great, thank you…. If I skate that much again this winter I’ll add an extra one mid season.

[@Bluesruse]

I have never understood the idea of "beginner blades" that even John Wilson has on their brochure: The picture with Coronation Ace on the bottom, and then "advancing" to either Pattern 99 "for better jumps", or Gold Seal "for better spins". It's just baffling to me on so many levels, least of which is that these blanket statements are almost completely wrong, but more so: Going from Ace to GS sounds to me like a disaster; you're changing to a different main rocker AND vastly different spin rocker. From Ace to P99 makes more sense, you get more stability from that flatter main rocker, but then again, if 7'' rocker suits you, why not just stay in it? You can't even trust the manufacturer's own material whatsoever in anything, it's crazy. Wanna know what is actually the "beginner" Gold Seal? MK Professional (same as ACE/P99 as in similar spin rocker profile, but different main rocker, 7'' vs 8'' respectively). Is this information readily available anywhere? No. Why? Beats me. MK and John Wilson are, after all (these days), even owned by the same company, so it's all just...It's crazy. But it doesn't end there: Now think about the fact that simply getting that 8'' main rocker, you have to pay DOUBLE or even TRIPLE the price on, arguably, already grossly overpriced products. I get the market is niche but looking at the "lower end" blade prices, manufacturing costs just doesn't cut it, there's just no way to justify the price jumps by supply and demand, it's just artificial pricing strategy and marketing. And the skating community tolerate this. I guess mostly because everybody seems so damn stuck on their ways that it's almost impossible for new companies to penetrate the market. PS: As an anecdote, the way I remember the blade being "chosen" way back, was that you showed up in whatever you had, and once you showed promise/learned the basics, you were put into a Gold Seal, and that's that. And I'm still being robbed every time I need to buy blades. LOL

[@indiging8330]

Sounds like your students weren't taught how to tie edeas properly

[@sncnjcsmom6451]

I don't know why you would say this. People who sell edeas teach the buyers how to lace and tie the boots, so if the students don't know how, it's on the seller. It also sounds like there's a coach at her rink who knows and recommends edeas, so there isn't any reason for her students not to be able to lace and tie their skates correctly. Edea is the only brand of figure skating boots that recommends changing to new laces (edea brand, of course) for every sharpening, about 20-25 hours of use. Is it really necessary? I don't know. But that means that every edea skater should get a lot of practice lacing and tying their boots. My coach advised against edea because she's seen more ankle injuries with edea than with other brands. Perhaps Coach Julia has a similar experience. That said, she's right about the fact that the Jackson Freestyle boot should take the skater through single jumps before they need a more supportive boot. Unless their boots are broken down or don't fit correctly, there's no need to change to a set of edea ice fly boots that will be about three times the cost of new Freestyle, without even taking the cost of blades into consideration. Each brand of boot is designed for specific foot shapes. How the boot fits the foot and how each brand is designed to support the skater is more important than the lace tying. For people with narrow feet, Reidell or edea may be the best choices. For wider feet, Jackson, Graf, and Risport may be the best choices. There are many other brands that I am not familiar with. The right boot starts with the right fit. Some people need custom fitted boots.

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

While I do agree that the vast majority of issues with Edea I've seen (at least in the rink I go to, with my rink mates/coach mates/club mates) are due to improper lacing, Coach Julia is entitled to have her personal opinion about a brand she doesn't like, and to voice her opinion on her channel/her media. If she doesn't like them, she doesn't like them period. I put a pair of Jacksons on once and absolutely hated them. Same with Risport. My private coach during her competitive skating time bough/ordered a pair of Harlicks that cost her 2000 american dollars, custom made and yet when they finally were ready and she skated with them, she absolutely hated them. She doesn't want anyone else to waste money and due to her personal experience, obviously she doesn't recommend them at all. That's the beauty of having so many manufacturers and brands to choose from, each skater will choose a brand that fits him/her better, he will follow the recommendations of the coach since the coach knows the skater best, and the recommendations of the skate boot fitter. It might be a a matter of trying several until the perfect fit and love at first sight (or first skate) comes. Even within the same brand, different models might make a difference. I bought some Edea Concertos, has so many issues with them, I even questioned that Edea was the best brand for me (even though my coaches and fitter seemed to think so) but putting a pair of Ice Flys on my feet was indeed love at first skate, made a whole world of difference, I love them so much and can't imagine skating in anything else. I might try Pianos in the future as a treat to myself, but if they don't work out, I know I've found my match on the Ice Flys and can always go back to them.