would like some advice regarding blades! been searching and digging in the fs subreddit, forums and youtube but since there’s always so many factors involved it’s difficult to get a proper "understanding" of each blade.
about me:
i have also been looking into the gold seals since it’s such a popular and beloved blade. however i do recognise that it is a very advanced (and expensive!!!) blade and definitely not one “necessary” for my level. that being said, i know many adult figure skaters my level who use them and enjoy them, and i feel like they tick all of the “boxes”/specifications that i’m interested in/gravitating towards.
of course i understand a blade upgrade/change won’t magically improve my skating overnight and of course i understand a blade upgrade/change won’t magically improve my skating overnight and working on my technique will be the most important thing. i also understand that just because someone has a certain experience with one blade doesn’t mean i will have the same one. i’m just curious to see how it could possibly help me. i’ve read that for some the difference between two blades can be night and day (for better or for worse).
appreciate any input and if there is anything i’ve misunderstood about blades please let me know
about me:
- smaller adult figure skater (154 cm/5ft, 40 kg/90 lbs)
- been skating very sporadically since 2018 but have been more or less off the ice since early 2020 apart from some coaching and occasional session but want to skate more regularly/seriously
- jumps: all singles besides axel, always been my strongest skating element, good height and solid landings (for the most part lol)
- footwork: double 3-turns, power pulls, FI twizzles etc. though they’re not as clean as i would like them to be
- spins: very much lagging behind my other skills… worked on forward + back scratch spin, sit, camel etc. but have never been able to spin “cleanly”, i always travel and can never seem to find the sweet spot
- risport rf3 pro + ultima protege
- improve spins
- more controlled + cleaner + stronger edges and turns
- the blade is getting pretty flat and worn down so probably need a change soon anyways
- 8’ rocker: although many beginner to intermediate blades are 7’ (eg. coronation ace, mk professional) i’m afraid i won’t feel as secure/stable and that my jumps will suffer
- a “rounder profile”: i feel like my current blades have a very flat profile and i would like to have some more room to “work with”? does that make sense?
- cross cut picks: i’m interested to see how it could improve and elevate my jumps further, sometimes i feel like i “slip off” the toe-pick during takeoff (specifically on edge jumps). from what i’ve read, most skaters seem to prefer and recommend cross cut, it also doesn’t seem like it’s that drastic of a change to get used to so i feel like it wouldn’t hurt to try?
i have also been looking into the gold seals since it’s such a popular and beloved blade. however i do recognise that it is a very advanced (and expensive!!!) blade and definitely not one “necessary” for my level. that being said, i know many adult figure skaters my level who use them and enjoy them, and i feel like they tick all of the “boxes”/specifications that i’m interested in/gravitating towards.
of course i understand a blade upgrade/change won’t magically improve my skating overnight and of course i understand a blade upgrade/change won’t magically improve my skating overnight and working on my technique will be the most important thing. i also understand that just because someone has a certain experience with one blade doesn’t mean i will have the same one. i’m just curious to see how it could possibly help me. i’ve read that for some the difference between two blades can be night and day (for better or for worse).
appreciate any input and if there is anything i’ve misunderstood about blades please let me know
