This has all been in the last 2 weeks for me. I am waiting on my boots to arrive so I haven't been able to test the blades yet. Definitely be prepared for the possibility of a long wait for your boots and/or blades. Things are a bit scarce right now!
Legacy 7, CA, CA Lite? Blade advice needed!
- Thread starter Vladik
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Do Everglides stock MK Pro?
My first choice is the CA, if I can’t get them and have to pick between MK Pros and Legacy 7, which would you recommend?
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2023
I haven’t read the whole thread, but as someone who is skating with (18 year old, from before I quit) Legacy blades…don’t get them. I hated them before I quit, and as I’ve worked back into skating regularly (after 17 years of not training, 11 off ice), I can’t wait to replace them. IDK if mine are 7s or 8s, because…its been a while 
but either way, planning to switch to CA when I buy new skates this spring. I would have switched sooner, but there is no good fitter near me, and I wanted to see how serious I was about my ice time before I got new skates.
but either way, planning to switch to CA when I buy new skates this spring. I would have switched sooner, but there is no good fitter near me, and I wanted to see how serious I was about my ice time before I got new skates.
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- Feb 17, 2023
…I could have written this same thing for my legacy’s. Too flat, too much toe pick, and spinning is rarely smooth, with that noise! I can’t wait to hear how you feel about the switch, since I’m planning the same switch soon.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Oh boy. Will try steer clear of them. Have been chatting with Everglides and they’re insisting that they’re the same blade and don’t have a flat rocker. Now I’m super confused lol. Going to try get the CA anyway!I haven’t read the whole thread, but as someone who is skating with (18 year old, from before I quit) Legacy blades…don’t get them. I hated them before I quit, and as I’ve worked back into skating regularly (after 17 years of not training, 11 off ice), I can’t wait to replace them. IDK if mine are 7s or 8s, because…its been a while
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2023
Mine might be 8s, but all they say on them is Legacy. I know when I ordered my skates, the blades my shop ordered never arrived, and they were sent a replacement that wasn't the same blade, but an "upgrade". What I can't remember is whether I originally wanted something one step down from Legacy, or if I wanted 7s and got 8s.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
That’s odd. I’m pretty certain both Legacy 7 and 8 state on them the number; “Legacy 7” or “Legacy 8”. When did you get them?Mine might be 8s, but all they say on them is Legacy. I know when I ordered my skates, the blades my shop ordered never arrived, and they were sent a replacement that wasn't the same blade, but an "upgrade". What I can't remember is whether I originally wanted something one step down from Legacy, or if I wanted 7s and got 8s.
MK Pro for sure!
@Vladik: I'm in the US, not the UK. I just got new boots and blades recently. Unfortunately, it's not a great time to be buying boots and blades: shortages of many boots and blades, plus repeated price hikes. But such is life. I lucked out because the models and sizes (for both boots and blades) I wanted were available from factory inventory, so I got them in about two weeks; otherwise, it would have been 4+ months for the boots. I'll give you some background information (that I hope is useful), as well as additional recommendations (that I hope doesn't add to your confusion).
* John Wilson and MK were originally separate companies, but they merged in 1997 under the parent of HD Sports. So they are the same company now. My tech told me both Wilson and MK blades of all models have been in short supply because of supply-chain and production problems. You need to be extremely lucky for a retailer to have your model and your size in stock. If they have to wait for new factory stock, then who knows when you'll get it. Unfortunately, this holds for the MK Professional (Pro) as well as the Wilson Coronation Ace (CA). Not sure whether UK retailers have priority over retailers in other countries. For your sake, I hope so.
* At the same time, another major blade supplier, Riedell Eclipse, has not been able to manufacture new stock. Riedell is a US boot maker, but manufacture of their Eclipse blades was outsourced to Step of Canada. Step is well known for their hockey blades, and they also manufactured a line of figure skate blades under their own label (not widely sold), as well as figure skate blades for Riedell Eclipse and figure skate blades for Skate Science (which appears to be defunct at present). In recent years, though, CCM first purchased Step and then purchased Jackson (which supplies Ultima blades as well as Jackson boots). Since Jackson/Ultima are direct competitors of Riedell/Eclipse, CCM halted manufacture of Eclipse blades, and Riedell needs to find another manufacturer. So for now, skaters who want Eclipse blades need to luck out if their model and size is available from previous inventory.
* In the US at present, that leaves two dependable blade suppliers: Jackson Ultima and Paramount. Paramount manufactures their blades in the US. Ultima blades seem to be widely distributed in the UK, but I couldn't find a Paramount distributor in the UK (I did find one in Spain). All Paramount blades have the chassis + runner construction, similar to the Ultima Matrix line. The Paramount blades with stainless-steel runners are really expensive, but Paramount blades with plain-carbon-steel runners are competitively priced in the US. For example, the Paramount CA (their copy of the Wilson Coronation Ace) sells for $240, same price as the Ultima Legacy 7; Wilson CA and MK Pro sell for $300 over here. Prices will be different in other countries of course, depending on shipping and import taxes [ETA: and exchange rates].
* Ultima, Eclipse, and Paramount sell blades "comparable" to Wilson and MK models. They are not true clones; "comparable" means anything a PR or marketing guy wants it to. The key difference is in the spin rocker profile. Ultima blades have the flattest spin rockers. Eclipse spin rockers are not as flat as Ultima but still flatter than Wilson/MK. Paramount is the only one I'm aware of that copies the pronounced spin rockers of Wilson/MK. I have the Paramount version of the Wilson Gold Seal.
* So here is my recommended list for you, in order of preference:
(1) Wilson CA [if available in your time frame]
(2) MK Pro [if available in your time frame]
(3) Paramount CA [If you can get it in the UK at a price acceptable to you. But also check that the sharpener you use has the equipment to sharpen it. Paramount, as well as the Ultima Matrix, needs a skate holder that can accommodate the thicker chassis.]
(4) Eclipse Aurora. Beautiful blade, made from 440C stainless steel. I previously skated on them. Traditional construction similar to the traditional Wilson CA. Only disadvantage is a somewhat flatter spin rocker. [Assuming you can get existing stock in your size in the UK.]
(5) Ultima Legacy 7. I put this dead last. In addition to the flat spin rocker, in the current Lite version, there are the slots in the sole plate and the body of the blade. Some skaters find the design to be cool. But I know a couple of skaters who have them. The slots trap slush and water. A real pain to dry off.
* John Wilson and MK were originally separate companies, but they merged in 1997 under the parent of HD Sports. So they are the same company now. My tech told me both Wilson and MK blades of all models have been in short supply because of supply-chain and production problems. You need to be extremely lucky for a retailer to have your model and your size in stock. If they have to wait for new factory stock, then who knows when you'll get it. Unfortunately, this holds for the MK Professional (Pro) as well as the Wilson Coronation Ace (CA). Not sure whether UK retailers have priority over retailers in other countries. For your sake, I hope so.
* At the same time, another major blade supplier, Riedell Eclipse, has not been able to manufacture new stock. Riedell is a US boot maker, but manufacture of their Eclipse blades was outsourced to Step of Canada. Step is well known for their hockey blades, and they also manufactured a line of figure skate blades under their own label (not widely sold), as well as figure skate blades for Riedell Eclipse and figure skate blades for Skate Science (which appears to be defunct at present). In recent years, though, CCM first purchased Step and then purchased Jackson (which supplies Ultima blades as well as Jackson boots). Since Jackson/Ultima are direct competitors of Riedell/Eclipse, CCM halted manufacture of Eclipse blades, and Riedell needs to find another manufacturer. So for now, skaters who want Eclipse blades need to luck out if their model and size is available from previous inventory.
* In the US at present, that leaves two dependable blade suppliers: Jackson Ultima and Paramount. Paramount manufactures their blades in the US. Ultima blades seem to be widely distributed in the UK, but I couldn't find a Paramount distributor in the UK (I did find one in Spain). All Paramount blades have the chassis + runner construction, similar to the Ultima Matrix line. The Paramount blades with stainless-steel runners are really expensive, but Paramount blades with plain-carbon-steel runners are competitively priced in the US. For example, the Paramount CA (their copy of the Wilson Coronation Ace) sells for $240, same price as the Ultima Legacy 7; Wilson CA and MK Pro sell for $300 over here. Prices will be different in other countries of course, depending on shipping and import taxes [ETA: and exchange rates].
* Ultima, Eclipse, and Paramount sell blades "comparable" to Wilson and MK models. They are not true clones; "comparable" means anything a PR or marketing guy wants it to. The key difference is in the spin rocker profile. Ultima blades have the flattest spin rockers. Eclipse spin rockers are not as flat as Ultima but still flatter than Wilson/MK. Paramount is the only one I'm aware of that copies the pronounced spin rockers of Wilson/MK. I have the Paramount version of the Wilson Gold Seal.
* So here is my recommended list for you, in order of preference:
(1) Wilson CA [if available in your time frame]
(2) MK Pro [if available in your time frame]
(3) Paramount CA [If you can get it in the UK at a price acceptable to you. But also check that the sharpener you use has the equipment to sharpen it. Paramount, as well as the Ultima Matrix, needs a skate holder that can accommodate the thicker chassis.]
(4) Eclipse Aurora. Beautiful blade, made from 440C stainless steel. I previously skated on them. Traditional construction similar to the traditional Wilson CA. Only disadvantage is a somewhat flatter spin rocker. [Assuming you can get existing stock in your size in the UK.]
(5) Ultima Legacy 7. I put this dead last. In addition to the flat spin rocker, in the current Lite version, there are the slots in the sole plate and the body of the blade. Some skaters find the design to be cool. But I know a couple of skaters who have them. The slots trap slush and water. A real pain to dry off.
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- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Really hoping we might have some priority here in the UK, considering I also skate in Sheffield and I’m pretty sure that’s where the major blade factories are. I doubt I do have priority though.@Vladik: I'm in the US, not the UK. I just got new boots and blades recently. Unfortunately, it's not a great time to be buying boots and blades: shortages of many boots and blades, plus repeated price hikes. But such is life. I lucked out because the models and sizes (for both boots and blades) I wanted were available from factory inventory, so I got them in about two weeks; otherwise, it would have been 4+ months for the boots. I'll give you some background information (that I hope is useful), as well as additional recommendations (that I hope doesn't add to your confusion).
* John Wilson and MK were originally separate companies, but they merged in 1997 under the parent of HD Sports. So they are the same company now. My tech told me both Wilson and MK blades of all models have been in short supply because of supply-chain and production problems. You need to be extremely lucky for a retailer to have your model and your size in stock. If they have to wait for new factory stock, then who knows when you'll get it. Unfortunately, this holds for the MK Professional (Pro) as well as the Wilson Coronation Ace (CA). Not sure whether UK retailers have priority over retailers in other countries. For your sake, I hope so.
* At the same time, another major blade supplier, Riedell Eclipse, has not been able to manufacture new stock. Riedell is a US boot maker, but manufacture of their Eclipse blades was outsourced to Step of Canada. Step is well known for their hockey blades, and they also manufactured a line of figure skate blades under their own label (not widely sold), as well as figure skate blades for Riedell Eclipse and figure skate blades for Skate Science (which appears to be defunct at present). In recent years, though, CCM first purchased Step and then purchased Jackson (which supplies Ultima blades as well as Jackson boots). Since Jackson/Ultima are direct competitors of Riedell/Eclipse, CCM halted manufacture of Eclipse blades, and Riedell needs to find another manufacturer. So for now, skaters who want Eclipse blades need to luck out if their model and size is available from previous inventory.
* In the US at present, that leaves two dependable blade suppliers: Jackson Ultima and Paramount. Paramount manufactures their blades in the US. Ultima blades seem to be widely distributed in the UK, but I couldn't find a Paramount distributor in the UK (I did find one in Spain). All Paramount blades have the chassis + runner construction, similar to the Ultima Matrix line. The Paramount blades with stainless-steel runners are really expensive, but Paramount blades with plain-carbon-steel runners are competitively priced in the US. For example, the Paramount CA (their copy of the Wilson Coronation Ace) sells for $240, same price as the Ultima Legacy 7; Wilson CA and MK Pro sell for $300 over here. Prices will be different in other countries of course, depending on shipping and import taxes.
* Ultima, Eclipse, and Paramount sell blades "comparable" to Wilson and MK models. They are not true clones; "comparable" means anything a PR or marketing guy wants it to. The key difference is in the spin rocker profile. Ultima blades have the flattest spin rockers. Eclipse spin rockers are not as flat as Ultima but still flatter than Wilson/MK. Paramount is the only one I'm aware of that copies the pronounced spin rockers of Wilson/MK. I have the Paramount version of the Wilson Gold Seal.
* So here is my recommended list for you, in order of preference:
(1) Wilson CA [if available in your time frame]
(2) MK Pro [if available in your time frame]
(3) Paramount CA [If you can get it in the UK at a price acceptable to you. But also check that the sharpener you use has the equipment to sharpen it. Paramount, as well as the Ultima Matrix, needs a skate holder that can accommodate the thicker chassis.]
(4) Eclipse Aurora. Beautiful blade, made from 440C stainless steel. I previously skated on them. Traditional construction similar to the traditional Wilson CA. Only disadvantage is a somewhat flatter spin rocker. [Assuming you can get existing stock in your size in the UK.]
(5) Ultima Legacy 7. I put this dead last. In addition to the flat spin rocker, in the current Lite version, there are the slots in the sole plate and the body of the blade. Some skaters find the design to be cool. But I know a couple of skaters who have them. The slots trap slush and water. A real pain to dry off.
I’m really keen on the CA, so will try to get those for sure. Was speaking with Everglides and they told me they have a few in stock but have been missing some of the sizes for a while. My skate size is usually a 3, and my current blades are a 9, so I’d be working around that kind of size. Don’t know if that’s a common/popular blade size, but there’s a slim chance they might have what I want in stock. It’s sort of a shot in the dark.
They also texted me back insisting that the Legacy 7’s are virtually identical to the CA blades, and they don’t have a flatter spin rocker, which has thrown me off a tad bit.
Thank you for taking your time to reply, I really appreciate it and will look into the blades you mentioned! MK Pro is definitely my second option, just not sure if Everglides stock them.
I’m definitely willing to wait for the Coronation Ace, just not too long. I guess we will have to wait and see.
My question is, and this isn’t something you can really help with I don’t think, just need a word of advice. Let’s say hypothetically, fast forward a few weeks, they didn’t have the CA in stock, but are able to order it in for me. I’m only going down for a day trip to get fitted, I live 5 hours away. If they were to ship them to my house, where would I get them mounted? I get my skates sharpened (at my rink in Sheffield) in the shop IceLocker. I’m not sure if they do blade mounting and also not sure about how reliable it’d be. I do get my blades sharpened there and they’re always just fine, but I do always insist on having the same guy sharpen them every time - I’ve heard some horror stories. They specialise in both hockey and figure, leaning a little more towards hockey I’d say.
Do you know of anywhere I could get them mounted reliably? Travelling back down to Everglides again isn’t an option as it’d be too far.
This is a real problem. You typically need at least two visits, sometimes more. Blades are initially mounted with a so-called "temporary" (temp) mount: two screws in the elongated slots in the sole plate; two screws in the elongated slots in the heel plate. You skate on them a while. If needed, make minor adjustments to the mount by loosening the screws and adjusting the blades. If that's not sufficient, you need the blades remounted and the old holes plugged. Once you have a satisfactory temp mount, you return to have additional screws installed (so-called "permanent" mount). Even if the shop is close by (which yours isn't), it's still a pain, because most decent shops require an appointment, and often they're booked up a week or more.
If you see advanced skaters at your rink, ask for recommendations. At my rink, a few coaches work as skate techs on the side. I mount my own blades, as well as blades for a few skaters I'm friends with: I watch them skate and fine tune their mounts in near-real time or next day. But I have engineering and machine shop experience. If you were at my rink, I'd mount them for you; but, alas, I'm across the pond.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2023
2004
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
mk Pro.
If you find out what length blade you need for the boots you are getting, you can let us know and I (we) can suggest reputable shops online that actually have plentiful stock of the blade you want (brand new ones), and they can ship them to you to have mounted by a local professional tech. BTW: They will also sharpen them for you if you should choose.
Then that would have been the original Legacy with an 8' main rocker.2004
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Damn that really sucks! There’s a coach at my rink who I know does fittings, I’m guessing he does blade mounting too but I’ll ask around!This is a real problem. You typically need at least two visits, sometimes more. Blades are initially mounted with a so-called "temporary" (temp) mount: two screws in the elongated slots in the sole plate; two screws in the elongated slots in the heel plate. You skate on them a while. If needed, make minor adjustments to the mount by loosening the screws and adjusting the blades. If that's not sufficient, you need the blades remounted and the old holes plugged. Once you have a satisfactory temp mount, you return to have additional screws installed (so-called "permanent" mount). Even if the shop is close by (which yours isn't), it's still a pain, because most decent shops require an appointment, and often they're booked up a week or more.
If you see advanced skaters at your rink, ask for recommendations. At my rink, a few coaches work as skate techs on the side. I mount my own blades, as well as blades for a few skaters I'm friends with: I watch them skate and fine tune their mounts in near-real time or next day. But I have engineering and machine shop experience. If you were at my rink, I'd mount them for you; but, alas, I'm across the pond.
Quite confused about the temporary mount though. Are my current skates’ blades temporarily mounted? It was a boot and blade combo. All very confusing to me.
What does the temporary mount to? What’s the purpose behind it? I apologise for all the questions, this is very new to me.
So I could perhaps go for my fitting at Everglides, and find somebody at my rink to sort out the permanent blade mounting etc…? Are the screws placed specifically to cater to me and my needs, or are all temporary or permanent mounts the same??
Really hope this makes some sort of sense. I’m quite confused lol. Much appreciate all the help though!! Thank you!!!
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Wowow very long time ago. I wasn’t even born then! Have their blades changed since then? Like the design etc..?2004
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Sounds great, considering I might not even be able to get my blades on the day!!mk Pro.
If you find out what length blade you need for the boots you are getting, you can let us know and I (we) can suggest reputable shops online that actually have plentiful stock of the blade you want (brand new ones), and they can ship them to you to have mounted by a local professional tech. BTW: They will also sharpen them for you if you should choose.
I’ll have to ask Everglides what size blade I’ll need when I go down there. That is, if they don’t have the blades I want in stock.
Depending on what blade you get, does sizing differ? My current blade is a size 9 and my boot is 240. Hypothetically, if I were to remain in the same boot size, but get a different blade (e.g. CA or MK Pro…), would the size be different?
Here's one of my previous posts on the subject: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/t...ed-for-mounting-ice-blade.91524/#post-2952014
Plus the following clarification on terminology:
If you need further clarification, let me know.
The original Legacy was not "Lite". No slots that some skaters find so cool.
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The size of the blade does not depend on the model of the blade, but on the model and size of the boot. Even if different models (and even by the same manufacturer) of boots are the same size, the required size of blade may be different because of differences in the outsole/heel configuration. It's best not to order the blades until you have the actual boots and can measure the length of the outsole/heel. Further details when we get to that stage.
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