Adult skater blade dilemma for footwork, drill jump, and stable rotation

[Rizkatelife92]

Hi everyone, I am an adult bronze skater. I currently use Risport Electra shoes with MK Pro Traditional blades. I plan to upgrade my shoes, because I just realized that the shoes I have are too long and tend to be narrow, so I want to buy shoes that really fit and are comfortable on my feet at this time. my dilemma is I want to upgrade the shoe blades between MK Phantom or Pattern 99. my main problem is actually on Footwork, such as double three turn, Bracket, and the like, although I have started to get used to it and the problem of often missed jumps such as Loop, Toe loop sometimes I mess up the entry. for my spins I am quite stable unfortunately I often move .

ANY ADVICE I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL, THANKYOU.


By the way before that I try asked via gemini or meta Ai and I got the following answers:

*MK Phantom*
1. *Light and flexible blade*: MK Phantom is designed for skaters who need good flexibility and control. 2. *Suitable for skaters with dynamic skating style*: This blade is suitable for skaters with dynamic skating style and want to improve their ability to perform complex movements.

*JW Pattern 99*
1. *Stable and sturdy blade*: JW Pattern 99 is designed for skaters who need good stability and control.
2. *Suitable for skaters who are still learning*: This blade is suitable for skaters who are still learning and want to improve their ability to perform basic movements.

Based on the characteristics above, if you have difficulty controlling jumps and footwork/edges, I suggest you try JW Pattern 99. This blade is designed for skaters who need good stability and control, so it can help you improve your skating ability.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi everyone, I am an adult bronze skater. I currently use Risport Electra shoes with MK Pro Traditional blades. I plan to upgrade my shoes, because I just realized that the shoes I have are too long and tend to be narrow, so I want to buy shoes that really fit and are comfortable on my feet at this time. my dilemma is I want to upgrade the shoe blades between MK Phantom or Pattern 99. my main problem is actually on Footwork, such as double three turn, Bracket, and the like, although I have started to get used to it and the problem of often missed jumps such as Loop, Toe loop sometimes I mess up the entry. for my spins I am quite stable unfortunately I often move .

ANY ADVICE I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL, THANKYOU.


By the way before that I try asked via gemini or meta Ai and I got the following answers:

*MK Phantom*
1. *Light and flexible blade*: MK Phantom is designed for skaters who need good flexibility and control. 2. *Suitable for skaters with dynamic skating style*: This blade is suitable for skaters with dynamic skating style and want to improve their ability to perform complex movements.

*JW Pattern 99*
1. *Stable and sturdy blade*: JW Pattern 99 is designed for skaters who need good stability and control.
2. *Suitable for skaters who are still learning*: This blade is suitable for skaters who are still learning and want to improve their ability to perform basic movements.

Based on the characteristics above, if you have difficulty controlling jumps and footwork/edges, I suggest you try JW Pattern 99. This blade is designed for skaters who need good stability and control, so it can help you improve your skating ability.

Hi and welcome. Never ask AI for advice on these things, b/c it is very wrong in this case especially.

If you provide us with information, we can suggest for boots and blades (btw figure skating boots are rarely comfortable like street shoes).

Height/Weight, arches: very high/high/normal/low/flat? foot type? Where are you in this world?

This will help suggest proper boots, blades and fitters.

 

[Rizkatelife92]

Hi and welcome. Never ask AI for advice on these things, b/c it is very wrong in this case especially.

If you provide us with information, we can suggest for boots and blades (btw figure skating boots are rarely comfortable like street shoes).

Height/Weight, arches: very high/high/normal/low/flat? foot type? Where are you in this world?

This will help suggest proper boots, blades and fitters.

Actually my shoes are quite comfortable, but after I saw the condition of my shoes now I thought I wanted to upgrade them, to shoes that are more proper and fit the length and width of my feet (like shoes that can be heated maybe Aura 100). what I feel right now is when doing Footwork I often slip and trip over the blade, I see and read every article & review about p99 has a shorter and flatter blade, and has a straight toe pick which might help jump & landing more stable than other blades. mk phantom is stable in turns. I don't really understand about good blades to help Footwork stability (I think for Footwork we have to practice often so that we can get used to it and do it easily, but it's even better if the shoe / blade size is right). besides that I want to upgrade for the long term. and maybe in the near future my coach will target Axel or other combos. do I go back to the MK Pro or maybe change to JW Corona Ace but with the right size & enough to upgrade the boot only?

This my footprint in insole skate boot
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LNRQmZXs6X1876aXlpgCRqDZSZVAO8Lh/view?usp=drivesdk
Footprint insole
These shoes may look too big, but I previously bought a size smaller but unfortunately the width was not enough, and these shoes are not the type that can be heated.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Actually my shoes are quite comfortable, but after I saw the condition of my shoes now I thought I wanted to upgrade them, to shoes that are more proper and fit the length and width of my feet (like shoes that can be heated maybe Aura 100). what I feel right now is when doing Footwork I often slip and trip over the blade, I see and read every article & review about p99 has a shorter and flatter blade, and has a straight toe pick which might help jump & landing more stable than other blades. mk phantom is stable in turns. I don't really understand about good blades to help Footwork stability (I think for Footwork we have to practice often so that we can get used to it and do it easily, but it's even better if the shoe / blade size is right). besides that I want to upgrade for the long term. and maybe in the near future my coach will target Axel or other combos. do I go back to the MK Pro or maybe change to JW Corona Ace but with the right size & enough to upgrade the boot only?

This my footprint in insole skate boot
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LNRQmZXs6X1876aXlpgCRqDZSZVAO8Lh/view?usp=drivesdk
Footprint insole
These shoes may look too big, but I previously bought a size smaller but unfortunately the width was not enough, and these shoes are not the type that can be heated.

Can you please just answer the questions I asked you upthread and that will help us help you. Including identifying your foot shape. Thank you!

You are not going to go from an Electra to an Aura. It doesn't work like that.

And I am very familiar with blades. I've worn Pattern 99's for many years competitively and I'm going to tell you they aren't going to be the blade you need.

 

[FethryDuck]

... looking at the OP's footprint on the insole:
I never got I it why boot manufacturers make the boots so "pointy" (probably a fashion thing ...)
No human has a foot shape that fits such toe area (unless your middle toe is the longest ... ).
Apparently one is supposed to have ones toes squashed to fit into this toe box ... or buy the boot 2 sizes bigger (the wider ball area prevents the foot from sliding forward I guess) as the OP seems to have done ...

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

... looking at the OP's footprint on the insole:
I never got I it why boot manufacturers make the boots so "pointy" (probably a fashion thing ...)
No human has a foot shape that fits such toe area (unless your middle toe is the longest ... ).
Apparently one is supposed to have ones toes squashed to fit into this toe box ... or buy the boot 2 sizes bigger (the wider ball area prevents the foot from sliding forward I guess) as the OP seems to have done ...

Or they can answer what foot type they have from the link I posted above and I or another person can help them with what boot brands would be best. This is why we try to get this information from those asking for help.

Some boots are pointy, some are not, some have more room up and down in the toe box others don't.

What it comes down to in the OP's case is they were fit by someone that didn't know what they were doing or didn't care and they just gave them an ill-fitting boot. This is why we have been trying to fix that for them.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Hi everyone, I am an adult bronze skater. I currently use Risport Electra shoes with MK Pro Traditional blades. I plan to upgrade my shoes, because I just realized that the shoes I have are too long and tend to be narrow, so I want to buy shoes that really fit and are comfortable on my feet at this time. my dilemma is I want to upgrade the shoe blades between MK Phantom or Pattern 99. my main problem is actually on Footwork, such as double three turn, Bracket, and the like, although I have started to get used to it and the problem of often missed jumps such as Loop, Toe loop sometimes I mess up the entry. for my spins I am quite stable unfortunately I often move .

You're fine with the MK Pro blades at your level and for some time to come. We talk about "overbooting" here, but there's also "overblading". The MK Phantoms and Pattern 99s are more advanced than you need and will cause you even more problems, not solve ones you currently have. They're designed for senior level skating.

If you can describe your foot shape as asked by @Ic3Rabbit , we can suggest more appropriate boot brands and models. What city are living/skating in, so you can be directed to the best nearby fitter who will measure your feet and ankles correctly and determine your size? Your skate boots will be a smaller size than your street shoes, since boots need to fit more snugly than shoes.

 

[tstop4me]

No human has a foot shape that fits such toe area (unless your middle toe is the longest ... ).

If you look at the chart of foot types that Ic3 cites, you will find that in some foot types the middle toe (or toes) are indeed the longest.

I never got I it why boot manufacturers make the boots so "pointy" (probably a fashion thing ...)

The debate over form vs function in figure skating boots (and footwear in general) has gone on for ages. I still remember a discussion I had in the late 1980's on this very subject with a well-known fitter in my area. He told me that a French company had introduced a line of figure skating boots with a square toebox. They didn't sell because the skaters didn't like the looks. They were discontinued within a year. Jacksons have rounder toeboxes than many other boots. When I was first looking into them, several fitters commented that many skaters didn't like them because they looked "klunky". One fitter (who was also an experienced ice-dance coach) agreed with that characterization.

But maybe there's hope. Look at the Altra running shoes. They stress function over form. In particular, they have an asymmetric, squarish toebox. They seem to have a large enough following to stay in business. Not sure whether figure skaters will ever come round to such an aesthetic, though. But I would love to have a pair of figure skating boots with such a toebox.

 

[Rizkatelife92]

Can you please just answer the questions I asked you upthread and that will help us help you. Including identifying your foot shape. Thank you!

You are not going to go from an Electra to an Aura. It doesn't work like that.

And I am very familiar with blades. I've worn Pattern 99's for many years competitively and I'm going to tell you they aren't going to be the blade you need.

Thank you for your attention dear @Ic3Rabbit, this my foot type : roman /Orient, short and wide
length 22.5-23 cm.
foot width 9.5 cm.
circumference at foot width 24 cm.
Normal Arches, but i have history of ankle injury/ankle sprain in left foot.
Height 154, weight 142 lbs
Im in Indonesia/Asia

unfortunately there is only one skate shop in my country but it is very far from where I live, even I got the shoes I have been wearing for 3 years bought online from a different country. in my place there are only shoe sharpeners that use automatic machines like sparx, there are none that can or manual sharpening tools, and this makes me think I will never buy parabolic or similar models.
Many adults in my city buy boots or blades that do not match their abilities or skills, I think they only buy them because they want to look good, so I see their skating progress is very slow.
therefore I want to know the opinion of all my friends who are experienced about these shoes and blades. I just don't want to waste money as an adult skater, just to buy boots or blades that end up making me have trouble.

Btw thank you @Ic3Rabbit @FethryDuck @Diana Delafield @tstop4me for anything explanations, suggestions and opinions are very valuable in helping me make decisions.

*sorry if my english conversation is too bad, because i made it with google translate

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thank you for your attention dear @Ic3Rabbit, this my foot type : roman /Orient, short and wide
length 22.5-23 cm.
foot width 9.5 cm.
circumference at foot width 24 cm.
Normal Arches, but i have history of ankle injury/ankle sprain in left foot.
Height 154, weight 142 lbs
Im in Indonesia/Asia

unfortunately there is only one skate shop in my country but it is very far from where I live, even I got the shoes I have been wearing for 3 years bought online from a different country. in my place there are only shoe sharpeners that use automatic machines like sparx, there are none that can or manual sharpening tools, and this makes me think I will never buy parabolic or similar models.
Many adults in my city buy boots or blades that do not match their abilities or skills, I think they only buy them because they want to look good, so I see their skating progress is very slow.
therefore I want to know the opinion of all my friends who are experienced about these shoes and blades. I just don't want to waste money as an adult skater, just to buy boots or blades that end up making me have trouble.

Btw thank you @Ic3Rabbit @FethryDuck @Diana Delafield @tstop4me for anything explanations, suggestions and opinions are very valuable in helping me make decisions.

*sorry if my english conversation is too bad, because i made it with google translate

Thanks for answering!

With your foot shape and other stats, you would most likely be best in a Jackson boot, Graf could work too. But Jackson is going to more than likely be easier for you to get. You should look into the Premier model or you could also look at their semi-custom boot the Synergy Spark.
You will need blades to go with them and a traditional version of the MK Pro which I believe you were using is still fine for you. If you want to try something different the traditional version of John Wilson Coronation Ace would work. (NO LITES OR REVS)

You do not need anything like Phantom or P99 at this point and they aren't going to improve something that sounds like technique right now. And you will more than likely never, ever need a parabolic blade.

You could try Cutting Edge Skate Shop It looks like they carry Jackson.

Good luck!

 

[tstop4me]

in my place there are only shoe sharpeners that use automatic machines like sparx, there are none that can or manual sharpening tools, and this makes me think I will never buy parabolic or similar models.

You will need blades to go with them and a traditional version of the MK Pro which I believe you were using is still fine for you. If you want to try something different the traditional version of John Wilson Coronation Ace would work. (NO LITES OR REVS)

If you have no option for sharpening other than automatic machines such as Sparx, then blades with wide, flat, parallel sides will give the most satisfactory results. The two blades recommended by Ic3 (traditional MK Pro or traditional JW Coronation Ace) both meet these criteria.

 

[Mia Culpa]

Okay, now I'm on this thread for help determining which blade I should purchase for my new Harlicks. You all super-helpful skaters are asking for foot type/size (as opposed to skating history!) to determine best blade. So here goes for me: I have super wide but short feet. I'm about 5' 6.5" and 125 lbs. I'll be 65 y/o in a couple of weeks but my house looks like circ de soleil with all the jump boxes, mini-trams, spinners, harnesses, etc., so I'm an abnormal person and a normal skater. The perfect tennis shoe for me if they made it would be a US Woman's Size 6 but a triple D wide. I have to buy women's size 8 shoes to get them wide enough. When I put my feet together and hop the print looks like one elephant foot. I was capable of doing senior level skating until my hip replacements (necessary due to overuse over many years trying to master perfect and hugh double doubles but only skatng about 2 a month AND working as an attorney in an office all week didn't help keep my muscles strong). So, I'm basically an older beginner that can sort of get back to where I was at quickly but with less speed and strength until I build it back PLUS my brain doesn't trigger my hips the same and I have fear I didn't ever have before that if I fall wrong then that "bar" in both femurs that connects my bionic hips to my body will snap. I'm assured by my orthopedic surgeon that it will not... and I rarely fall because, like most skaters, I can catch myself (its not like I'm trying to learn of do jumps that require significant height or skill level). My backspins were perfect with my last pair of skates that were stolen with my car about 4 years ago (Harlicks with Phantoms circa 2005). They now suck with my Harlikcs with MK Pros circa 1994). It may not be the blades but the skater that is creating the backspin issue, so I'm reaching out for suggestions. Here is general skating at Houston's Galleria about 15 years ago when I was 50 and skating about once a month: https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxM7Z9H4-GklfkvDFEr6pmN-aCPHwq2ofZ

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Okay, now I'm on this thread for help determining which blade I should purchase for my new Harlicks. You all super-helpful skaters are asking for foot type/size (as opposed to skating history!) to determine best blade. So here goes for me: I have super wide but short feet. I'm about 5' 6.5" and 125 lbs. I'll be 65 y/o in a couple of weeks but my house looks like circ de soleil with all the jump boxes, mini-trams, spinners, harnesses, etc., so I'm an abnormal person and a normal skater. The perfect tennis shoe for me if they made it would be a US Woman's Size 6 but a triple D wide. I have to buy women's size 8 shoes to get them wide enough. When I put my feet together and hop the print looks like one elephant foot. I was capable of doing senior level skating until my hip replacements (necessary due to overuse over many years trying to master perfect and hugh double doubles but only skatng about 2 a month AND working as an attorney in an office all week didn't help keep my muscles strong). So, I'm basically an older beginner that can sort of get back to where I was at quickly but with less speed and strength until I build it back PLUS my brain doesn't trigger my hips the same and I have fear I didn't ever have before that if I fall wrong then that "bar" in both femurs that connects my bionic hips to my body will snap. I'm assured by my orthopedic surgeon that it will not... and I rarely fall because, like most skaters, I can catch myself (its not like I'm trying to learn of do jumps that require significant height or skill level). My backspins were perfect with my last pair of skates that were stolen with my car about 4 years ago (Harlicks with Phantoms circa 2005). They now suck with my Harlikcs with MK Pros circa 1994). It may not be the blades but the skater that is creating the backspin issue, so I'm reaching out for suggestions. Here is general skating at Houston's Galleria about 15 years ago when I was 50 and skating about once a month: https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxM7Z9H4-GklfkvDFEr6pmN-aCPHwq2ofZ

hi. We ask for foot type and size etc to advise on boots, not blades.

What are you looking for your blade to do and do you want a 7ft or 8 ft?

 

[Mia Culpa]

hi. We ask for foot type and size etc to advise on boots, not blades.

What are you looking for your blade to do and do you want a 7ft or 8 ft?

I don't even know the difference to be honest.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I don't even know the difference to be honest.

If you were used to Phantoms before, that is what I would look into.

 

[Mia Culpa]

If you were used to Phantoms before, that is what I would look into.

Phantoms it is! I never had any issues with them and recalls having literally no down time the first time I got them on the ice. Thank you!!

 

[Mia Culpa]

Phantoms it is! I never had any issues with them and recalls having literally no down time the first time I got them on the ice. Thank you!!

One LAST question... standard or revolutions? Some of the discussions about revolutions is that they provide a slight more cushion when landing and perhaps a natural balance? I have no idea how a blade could do that BUT the only thing that stops my momentum is strains and sprains from getting a jump/spin back, the doing it over/over with child-like delight to lock in the muscle memory. Maybe the revolutions might help? Maybe they are a total gimmick OR perhaps too "light" since I'm used to skating on 30 year old cement blocks with equally heavy blades?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

One LAST question... standard or revolutions? Some of the discussions about revolutions is that they provide a slight more cushion when landing and perhaps a natural balance? I have no idea how a blade could do that BUT the only thing that stops my momentum is strains and sprains from getting a jump/spin back, the doing it over/over with child-like delight to lock in the muscle memory. Maybe the revolutions might help? Maybe they are a total gimmick OR perhaps too "light" since I'm used to skating on 30 year old cement blocks with equally heavy blades?

You are fine with the standard. You don't need Revs.

 

[IceM]

One LAST question... standard or revolutions? Some of the discussions about revolutions is that they provide a slight more cushion when landing and perhaps a natural balance? I have no idea how a blade could do that BUT the only thing that stops my momentum is strains and sprains from getting a jump/spin back, the doing it over/over with child-like delight to lock in the muscle memory. Maybe the revolutions might help? Maybe they are a total gimmick OR perhaps too "light" since I'm used to skating on 30 year old cement blocks with equally heavy blades?

Revs are a little bit lighter, but mostly because the blade is thinner. The cushioning effect is due to the design and how the blade is attached itself, so there's some flex to them, but being thinner they also tend to come warped. Balance-wise I would argue that a stiff blade is better, but I don't think the difference is that meaningful.

So, if you don't mind the thinner runner, kind of like a dance blade, and you don't mind changing the way you grab them in some catch moves, then you can go for the Revs, but regular ones are just fine. Just make sure to check the blade straightness well, if you do go for the Revs.

 

[Mia Culpa]

Revs are a little bit lighter, but mostly because the blade is thinner. The cushioning effect is due to the design and how the blade is attached itself, so there's some flex to them, but being thinner they also tend to come warped. Balance-wise I would argue that a stiff blade is better, but I don't think the difference is that meaningful.

So, if you don't mind the thinner runner, kind of like a dance blade, and you don't mind changing the way you grab them in some catch moves, then you can go for the Revs, but regular ones are just fine. Just make sure to check the blade straightness well, if you do go for the Revs.

You've helped me enormously!!!! Thank you so much!!!