Coronation Ace Lites to what next? (Gold Seal, Gold Star, Phantom, etc.?)

[hakuna_matata_skates]

I'm looking for blade recommendations. And before you say "ask your coach", just know that my coach and I have talked about it extensively. She does not feel comfortable recommending a blade because she has used the same ones for 20 years and knows nothing about the new blades on the market currently. I also went to see a skate tech but I did not find it helpful either. I have done research on my own for about 3 months now and identified 3 potential blades I would be interested in (Gold Seal, Gold Star, or Phantom) and this skate tech recommended almost the same 3 blades (Gold Seal, Gold Star, or Pattern 99). Which obviously did not help me narrow down anything.

Currently I have John Wilson Coronation Ace Lites (7' rocker), and I hate them. I have skated on them for 18 months now, so I have given them plenty of time and opportunity. It is important to note, my skating (technique wise) has also improved significantly. The "lite" models are not for me. So l'm looking for a traditional blade, but could be swayed to try a revolution blade too.

PROBLEM: I cannot center my spins, no matter what I do.

I've had multiple coaches tell me my technique is not the problem, I had the skate tech move my blades to different positions and that did nothing. So at this point I'm fed up.

MY THOUGHTS: The 3 blades I'm looking at are: JW Gold Seals (8' rocker), MK Gold Stars (7' rocker), or MK Phantom (7' rocker). My concern is moving from a 7' rocker to an 8' rocker - would it be beneficial because it would stop me from rocking back and forth so much during spins AND I tend to spin farther forward on my blade so it would pull me back or would be more detrimental because it's a flatter blade and I won't be able to find the sweet spot on the rocker? When you look at MK's website the Gold Stars are emphasized as the "undisputed king of spins" so l'm drawn to that... but I just honestly don't know. Phantoms I have heard have the same spin rocker profile as traditional Coro Ace's (but I don't believe the Coro Ace Lite's I skate on currently have the same profile as a traditional model). And Pattern 99, I've heard you either love them or absolutely hate them and I don't want to get stuck with a blade I hate again... Please help me narrow this down!!

Open to any and all recommendations!!

 

[Weathergal]

Welcome to Golden Skate! As we say here, post long and post often!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I'm looking for blade recommendations. And before you say "ask your coach", just know that my coach and I have talked about it extensively. She does not feel comfortable recommending a blade because she has used the same ones for 20 years and knows nothing about the new blades on the market currently. I also went to see a skate tech but I did not find it helpful either. I have done research on my own for about 3 months now and identified 3 potential blades I would be interested in (Gold Seal, Gold Star, or Phantom) and this skate tech recommended almost the same 3 blades (Gold Seal, Gold Star, or Pattern 99). Which obviously did not help me narrow down anything.

Currently I have John Wilson Coronation Ace Lites (7' rocker), and I hate them. I have skated on them for 18 months now, so I have given them plenty of time and opportunity. It is important to note, my skating (technique wise) has also improved significantly. The "lite" models are not for me. So l'm looking for a traditional blade, but could be swayed to try a revolution blade too.

PROBLEM: I cannot center my spins, no matter what I do.

I've had multiple coaches tell me my technique is not the problem, I had the skate tech move my blades to different positions and that did nothing. So at this point I'm fed up.

MY THOUGHTS: The 3 blades I'm looking at are: JW Gold Seals (8' rocker), MK Gold Stars (7' rocker), or MK Phantom (7' rocker). My concern is moving from a 7' rocker to an 8' rocker - would it be beneficial because it would stop me from rocking back and forth so much during spins AND I tend to spin farther forward on my blade so it would pull me back or would be more detrimental because it's a flatter blade and I won't be able to find the sweet spot on the rocker? When you look at MK's website the Gold Stars are emphasized as the "undisputed king of spins" so l'm drawn to that... but I just honestly don't know. Phantoms I have heard have the same spin rocker profile as traditional Coro Ace's (but I don't believe the Coro Ace Lite's I skate on currently have the same profile as a traditional model). And Pattern 99, I've heard you either love them or absolutely hate them and I don't want to get stuck with a blade I hate again... Please help me narrow this down!!

Open to any and all recommendations!!

Hi and welcome. Based on what you've said, you don't want Pattern 99's if you don't want a lower stanchion (lower than standard) and a parallel blade, and have issues with spinning b/c it has a subtle secondary rocker. You also do not want MK Phantom due to the shape of the blade.
This leaves you with MK Gold Star and JW Gold Seals, which are similar blades. Know that they have the higher heel stanchion which is going to make it feel for awhile (until you get used to it) that you are tipping towards your toepicks. You will get used to it and you will also have a better chance of improving your spins with these teamed with the aggressive secondary rocker that those have. You don't need Revs or Lites, b/c as you've learned, they aren't great. I always suggest traditional style blades.
Just wanted to ask if you had considered Apex Supreme blades?

 

[hakuna_matata_skates]

Hi and welcome. Based on what you've said, you don't want Pattern 99's if you don't want a lower stanchion (lower than standard) and a parallel blade, and have issues with spinning b/c it has a subtle secondary rocker. You also do not want MK Phantom due to the shape of the blade.
This leaves you with MK Gold Star and JW Gold Seals, which are similar blades. Know that they have the higher heel stanchion which is going to make it feel for awhile (until you get used to it) that you are tipping towards your toepicks. You will get used to it and you will also have a better chance of improving your spins with these teamed with the aggressive secondary rocker that those have. You don't need Revs or Lites, b/c as you've learned, they aren't great. I always suggest traditional style blades.
Just wanted to ask if you had considered Apex Supreme blades?

Hi! Thank you! And that’s good to know, thanks for confirming my hesitation with P99’s and for the helpful information on Phantoms! If I had to pick tomorrow I’d probably go for Gold Stars as a number 1 choice and then Gold Seals as a number 2 choice.
And actually I have not! I haven’t come across a recommendation for Apex Supremes, why would you recommend considering them?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi! Thank you! And that’s good to know, thanks for confirming my hesitation with P99’s and for the helpful information on Phantoms! If I had to pick tomorrow I’d probably go for Gold Stars as a number 1 choice and then Gold Seals as a number 2 choice.
And actually I have not! I haven’t come across a recommendation for Apex Supremes, why would you recommend considering them?

You're welcome! I suggested the Apex b/c they aren't high stanchion like the Gold Stars/Gold Seals and aren't as low as the P99s. I personally have worn P99's for years and love them, but that's me lol. I'd say take a look at Apex if you have the chance.