Blade upgrade from Legacy 7 intermediate adult skater

[jojo]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here, and I’m desperate for advice since I’m once again lost in the blade jungle.

So I’m an adult (32) intermediate skater having skated a couple of years in my early teens (got my sal and toe before I quit) and have now been back on the ice for about 7 years (minus some time away with injuries). I’m currently working on my doubles and combination+difficult position spins, Axel isn’t happening at the moment. Steps are mostly all there.

I’m a strong and fast skater and tend to wear out weaker boots quickly, but I’m happy with my current Edea Concertos.

Previous boot+blade info:
Edea Overtures with Mirage blades barely lasted me the first season back skating an hour a week, moved to Chorus with Legacy 7s which lasted me barely two seasons skating two hours a week, moved to Concerto with Coronation Ace Lite, hated the blades, boots lasted me two seasons skating 2-3 hours a week, and I’m now on my second pair of Concertos where I re-mounted the same Legacy 7s from my Chorus’. I currently skate about 3 hours a week in intermediate-advanced group sessions (that’s how we do it in Sweden), I have three different coaches and they’re all giving me different advice so I’ve come here for some more

It’s time for me to get new Concertos and I’ve for the past year or so been stagnating in my progress and feeling like I have issues with my blades. The Legacy 7s never felt ideal for me but they’ve been alright while advancing.

Issues:
-I have a hard time finding my spin rocker. I’ve always been a strong spinner but with my previous beginner blades I remember being able to feel and adjust when I’ve been traveling, but not with the CoroAce Lites nor with the Legacy 7s until lately (probably bc my spin rocker has flattened out with time).
-Spin entries sometimes feel very uncontrolled and I sometimes fall right out of my camel these days.
-Turns are too quick and I often feel like I can’t control them even though I have pretty solid turns overall - I think I’m in need of more stability.
-I have big single jumps, but I also often struggle with controlling my takeoffs and landings.

What I like in a blade:
-I like to feel the ice, my main issue with the CoroAce Lites were that I couldn’t feel the ice properly, a little less of a problem in the Legacies.
-I like my cross cut toe picks, and the fairly large bottom and pronounced top pick on my legacies (at least compared to the beginner blades).
-Two rockers for spin stability.
-Not too light, that’s another thing I didn’t like about the CoroAce Lites, way too light for me.
-Probably an 8ft main rocker for the turn control.

So:
I’ve been looking at Gold Stars and Gold Seals but I have a feeling I might not like the higher heel stanchion if I want to feel the ice more? Also they are very expensive and I don’t even have my doubles yet.
I have also considered Phantoms, as they might be good with the slightly lower heel stanchion? However - 7ft main rocker might be an issue.
Pattern 99s might be a no for me because of that third rocker and I’d like more stability in my spins?
I’ve also been looking at Ultima Freestyle, but I’ve also heard negative things about Ultima/Jackson blades, so I’m unsure.
And lastly I’ve been looking at a tiny skip over to MK Professionals. I’m just worried they’re too much like the Legacy 7s/CoroAce Lites and it won’t do much for me changing to them. Especially since I’d probably like a 8ft rocker for the stability.
I’m also open to other blade suggestions!

I’d very much like some help in deciding what to do )

 

[mtbmom]

I’m no expert but I do know that CA lite is a much different blade than CA. Many prefer spins on MK Pro but CA regular would also be a good choice. I’m sure the experts will weigh in.

 

[IceM]

You might be overthinking the rocker a little bit. Sounds like you could at least try Pattern 99s. Also, CAs are very different to CA Lites, so traditional CAs are an option too. And so are MK Pros. But if you want 8' rocker blade with low stanchion, then P99s are the closest thing that ticks most of the boxes. I wouldn't worry about too much about the 3 part rocker. It just means that the rocker is actually a bit rounder than in the Ultima blades you're used to, which if anything might help your spins.

From other brands you could look into Eclipse Pinnacle/Infinity blades, which are kind of Gold Seals/P99s on a budget. Not out of the question if you want adventure a bit.

Oh, and if you really want to adventure, you could try the BJØRN & FJØRD Original/Loiste, since you're in Sweden. Doesn't cost much. And absolutely killer value for a fully stainless steel blade. And more environment friendly with no chrome .

 

[jojo]

I’m no expert but I do know that CA lite is a much different blade than CA. Many prefer spins on MK Pro but CA regular would also be a good choice. I’m sure the experts will weigh in.

I’ve heard this too but I can’t really figure out what the big differences are? I’m definitely looking at MK Pro as an option since it’s cheaper and I wouldn’t want to overblade. All input is appreciated, so thank you!

 

[jojo]

You might be overthinking the rocker a little bit. Sounds like you could at least try Pattern 99s. Also, CAs are very different to CA Lites, so traditional CAs are an option too. And so are MK Pros. But if you want 8' rocker blade with low stanchion, then P99s are the closest thing that ticks most of the boxes. I wouldn't worry about too much about the 3 part rocker. It just means that the rocker is actually a bit rounder than in the Ultima blades you're used to, which if anything might help your spins.

From other brands you could look into Eclipse Pinnacle/Infinity blades, which are kind of Gold Seals/P99s on a budget. Not out of the question if you want adventure a bit.

Oh, and if you really want to adventure, you could try the BJØRN & FJØRD Original/Loiste, since you're in Sweden. Doesn't cost much. And absolutely killer value for a fully stainless steel blade. And more environment friendly with no chrome .

Oh I’m definitely overthinking all of this haha. I’m sure I’d be able to adjust okay to most of the blades I’m considering, I just don’t have a lot of money to throw around and I want to get it right, because I’ll probably be staying in my next blades for the foreseeable future.

P99 sounds like they could be worth a try, maybe my main issues then are the cost and I’m thinking it might be a very big jump up from the Legacy 7s adjustment wise? I don’t want to overblade. I’m a secure and strong skater with good flow but I’m not a pro, maybe higher level intermediate with a lot of mental blocks when it comes to jumping is a good way to describe it. Perhaps the MK pro is a better option even though I am very very tempted to try out the P99s.

Eclipse/Pinnacle seem to be a bit difficult to find in Sweden, even online. And I have one fitter close to me and they only carry a few of the Wilson, MK and Ultima blades.

Oh the BJØRN blades definitely look interesting they only seem to be available in one store in Sweden though and that one is about 9 hours away from me, so that might be a later adventure if they make it into our online stores.

 

[IceM]

I’ve heard this too but I can’t really figure out what the big differences are? I’m definitely looking at MK Pro as an option since it’s cheaper and I wouldn’t want to overblade. All input is appreciated, so thank you!

JW/MK must be still using some manual grinding processes, and the CA Lite profile is just all out of whack with flat ground rockers etc. It's nothing like "CA" and selling it as one is bordering on false advertising If you prefer big picks and a flat main rocker, then there's virtually no way you can "overblade", as those are all features of "high end" blades. If you preferred your "beginner" blade with 8' rocker, then go with an 8' rocker, and don't look back. Or, if you just wanted a rounder spin rocker than your Legacy 7, then go with any blade other than Ultima, with 7' rocker.

P99 sounds like they could be worth a try, maybe my main issues then are the cost and I’m thinking it might be a very big jump up from the Legacy 7s adjustment wise?

It's going to be like your beginner blade with bigger drag pick and lower stanchion, meaning better "feel" for the ice, which are both features that you are looking for, I guess. It's also a simple parallel blade, like the ones you've been skating on.

Eclipse/Pinnacle seem to be a bit difficult to find in Sweden, even online.

Yeah, and they are probably not the best option to go with, anyways.

Oh the BJØRN blades definitely look interesting

Given the price and the material, they honestly look like a solid deal. It's made out of 5Cr18pro steel, which is not that bad. Not the best, but definitely not the worst. It has good corrosion resistance, so they will never rust on you. And your sharpener might just not hate you for having them, either.

 

[jojo]

JW/MK must be still using some manual grinding processes, and the CA Lite profile is just all out of whack with flat ground rockers etc. It's nothing like "CA" and selling it as one is bordering on false advertising If you prefer big picks and a flat main rocker, then there's virtually no way you can "overblade", as those are all features of "high end" blades. If you preferred your "beginner" blade with 8' rocker, then go with an 8' rocker, and don't look back. Or, if you just wanted a rounder spin rocker than your Legacy 7, then go with any blade other than Ultima, with 7' rocker.


It's going to be like your beginner blade with bigger drag pick and lower stanchion, meaning better "feel" for the ice, which are both features that you are looking for, I guess. It's also a simple parallel blade, like the ones you've been skating on.

Yeah the CA lite was a massive disappointment. I managed for two years and my skating skills definitely improved being on such unstable blades as I had to constantly work to retain balance and stay in my turns. Might also have had to do with the 7” rocker.

Thank you so much for all the input!

Update: I’ve finally made up my mind and I’m getting new Concertos with P99’s probably this weekend. I’ll update further once I’ve skated on them.

 

[jojo]

Update first session from Concerto+Legacy 7 to Concerto+Pattern 99 to whoever is looking for a comparison:

Local skate shop didn’t carry my size in stock so I had to order online. Skates arrived arrived this week and I tried them during last nights session for an hour. Didn’t join the group class as I felt I needed to go back to basics first. As the blades are newly sharpened (hate it) and the boots aren’t broken in yet I had the regular issues that come with that which I’m keeping in mind.

First impressions compared to Legacy 7:
-Tail length is extremely similar to the Legacies, however I did feel like I was slightly further back on the blade on the P99s. Got used to it very quickly, no "falling backwards" feeling.
-Bottom toe-pick placement is also very similar. Not hard to get used to.
-Heel stanchion height is also similar, slightly lower on the P99, not a massive difference.
-Very smooth feel of the blade. Legacy 7 likes to drag and crunch a lot. P99 feels like butter.
-Blade is definitely rounder, however very supportive. No falling through turns as I sometimes to - the blades support and catch me on time. Three turns and double three turns are all much better however I was skating slow and carefully as I get used to them. Crossovers feel different, quick to get used to though. Choctaws feel easier already. Tried some rockers and counters which I feel will take some getting used to. Loops and twizzles had the biggest difference bc of the change in rocker. Also newly sharpened so I’m holding off a bit on those. My only fall during steps/turns was on a forward inside twizzle. A bit too soon probably hehe.
-Went through and landed all my singles (except axel) - definitely an adjustment, especially on edge-jumps. Sal and toe had the biggest difference and will take some getting used to. Got some pretty solid loops and flips in, and I even landed all of my Lutzes (mental block nemesis). Waltz jump landings were smoother than ever at the end, no drag at all.
- No issues going from cross cut to straight toe-picks. The massive top pick on the P99s were definitely felt though - great for my Lutz and it felt very stable.
-Mostly did scratch spins. Newly sharpened blades dragged a bit but very centered and I got some fast ones in. Back spin will take some technique adjustments but that one I already had issues with so that’s no surprise. Back spin in other direction had the same issue but i got a few okay ones. Tried basic sit and camel which were scratchy but I can barely do those on newly sharpened blades anyway.

Overall impression after one hour:
This will take some getting used to but i definitely think i made the right choice. Great blades overall, smooth and supportive. Cant wait to skate them in. Im gonna try to join the group session tonight and see if I can get some step sequences in. I'll try to add another update in a few weeks or months once theyre properly broken in and I've tried out all my skills properly.

Thanks to everyone that helped out!