Hello folks....I'm on my last season with my Vision Synchros. I'd love your input to help me make a smart choice. The VS's are OK, but I definitely am not a fan of the "angled drag pick". At the beginning I liked how I spun on them (but was coming off a 30ish year old flatter than the ice itself MK Prof). I've narrowed the next choices down to the MK Prof or the Ultima Gold Seal Clone.
Why those two models: My biggest priority is a cross cut toe pick, which narrows my choices (I get hollered at for leaving "ginormous craters in the ice" for simple pivots and 1/2 jumps....these dancers haven't seen real holes in the ice, but whatev's).
I always skated on Profs before. Got my 1A and 2S in them back in the day. Doing Solo dance now (which over here is pattern dances, but also free-style without the jumps) so really this is probably the most reasonable choice. (NB- does Ultima do a Prof clone? The Legacy?
)
Why Gold Seals (Ultima Supreme's).....well, I'm all grown up now and don't outgrow blades every year anymore. I'm a good spinner and really want to try the spin rocker plus side honing, which as I understand it is like a grown up Professional. I'm curious about the 8' rocker. They look like fun. Plus my much trusted US skate tech really likes the Ultima line...and they're reasonably priced over here, too.
My biggest concern, and probably the dealbreaker is that we have new sharpeners at the rink. One does a crappy job (so far) and the other is OK. This latter is very conscientious though and has a daughter who competes in Division one at the level above me (I'm pre silver on my patterns, silver/pregold for solo) so he's acutely aware, constantly asks for feedback, and wants to do a good job. He's the only one doing my skates. If our rig can handle it, I'd even consider the matrix models to yet further cut down on the frequency of sharpening.....
What are y'alls thoughts/ experiences?