Switching blades

[A_Sk8r15]

Hello,

I am an intermediate skater working on doubles and advanced spins. I am currently in Coronation Ace Lite blades and I’m making a switch. I’ve found out that my blades are awful and are not my level at all. My spin consistency and ability has declined since moving from regular Coronation Ace. I compared them to a possible blade (Matrix Elite) and I found mine are very flat. My jumps are okay, could use more height but sometimes I feel like I have to try too hard to get in the air.

I have several options and have had lots of advice and comments from people with the blades I’m looking at. I kind of want to move away from JW. My coach doesn’t have any advice because she’s only had JW.

I’m set on an 8ft rocker but I have decided on these:
Ultima Matrix Elite (straight cut pick)
Ultima Matrix Freestyle (cross cut pick)
JW Pattern 99 (straight cut pick)
JW Gold Seal (cross cut, higher stanchion)

I’m not sure what to do about the picks, I’ve heard different things. I have cross cut at the moment and my toe jumps are amazing but my other friends have straight cuts and their jumps are amazing but that might just be bc they are really good skaters.

I am a very strong skater and I feel like I could transition easily but I’m not sure how it’s going to affect my skating.

Thoughts?

 

[tstop4me]

JW Gold Seal (straight cross cut, higher stanchion)

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

What about MK Blades? That would be my suggestion for you. Either MK Gold Seal or Phantom. But do not get Rev version of them, traditional is all you need. And I'll tell you as a Pro, that when I competed I went from JW to MK and back again. Been wearing nothing but Pattern 99 for 20 years and won't change them. I have tested other blades and no thanks, esp Matrix.

 

[A_Sk8r15]

What about MK Blades? That would be my suggestion for you. Either MK Gold Seal or Phantom. But do not get Rev version of them, traditional is all you need. And I'll tell you as a Pro, that when I competed I went from JW to MK and back again. Been wearing nothing but Pattern 99 for 20 years and won't change them. I have tested other blades and no thanks, esp Matrix.

What don’t you like about Matrix? I’ve heard great reviews from all the skaters I know who use them. I’m a jumper and I want to get height and rotation. I don’t think I will go for straight cut toe picks, just a personal preference though I wouldn’t mind if it came down to it. That means a lot of higher level blades like P99 are out. My spins are good, despite my bad blades so I’m not too worried about that.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

What don’t you like about Matrix? I’ve heard great reviews from all the skaters I know who use them. I’m a jumper and I want to get height and rotation. I don’t think I will go for straight cut toe picks, just a personal preference though I wouldn’t mind if it came down to it. That means a lot of higher level blades like P99 are out. My spins are good, despite my bad blades so I’m not too worried about that.

Too flat, and you need to have a blade sharpening tech that has the special jig and the knowledge to sharpen those particular blades. I've worn the Matrix Supreme and they're a pain in the behind to deal with after awhile. Plus, your dream of getting away from JW blades isn't going to happen with Matrix, they make them LOL! BTW I was a huge jumper and many of the jumpers wear P99s lol

 

[A_Sk8r15]

Too flat, and you need to have a blade sharpening tech that has the special jig and the knowledge to sharpen those particular blades. I've worn the Matrix Supreme and they're a pain in the behind to deal with after awhile. Plus, your dream of getting away from JW blades isn't going to happen with Matrix, they make them LOL!

My blades are so flat it’s ridiculous, I’ve compared them to Elites and they are so much better and far more curved than many blades I have seen. We have someone who can sharpen them so that’s not a problem. It’s not that I don’t like JW, they do great blades but their traditional blades aren’t what I’m looking for. I have done a lot of research so I’m not going into this blind but I hoped I’d hear some other people’s reviews of how they felt in the blades that I said in my first post.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

You do you, but I know my blades and have worn or tested them all. I'm a former big jumper when I was a competitive singles skater and I preferred P99s and I know others do as well. The huge straight cut bottom pick on them is going to wonders for lift on jumps, but I'm not going to sit here and try to convince you. Honestly, your issue with your original blades was they were lites/revs and they also were probably used and sharpened so much that they're now flat.

Good luck!

 

[A_Sk8r15]

You do you, but I know my blades and have worn or tested them all. I'm a former big jumper when I was a competitive singles skater and I preferred P99s and I know others do as well. The huge straight cut bottom pick on them is going to wonders for lift on jumps, but I'm not going to sit here and try to convince you. Honestly, your issue with your original blades was they were lites/revs and they also were probably used and sharpened so much that they're now flat.

Good luck!

Thankyou! I will look into P99 a little more, my biggest thing was the topics as I’ve never had straight cut and it’s not like I can try every different blade to find one I like. My old coach had them and she loves them so I will talk to her about it.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thankyou! I will look into P99 a little more, my biggest thing was the topics as I’ve never had straight cut and it’s not like I can try every different blade to find one I like. My old coach had them and she loves them so I will talk to her about it.

You are welcome! They are seriously great blades, especially if you are looking to get more lift and 'pop' in your jumps with more explosive takeoffs. They will be fine for spinning too. Good luck! And once you've decided and skated for awhile on new blades, come back and let us know what you chose and how it's going!