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On the Ice => The Pro Shop => Topic started by: jjane45 on December 02, 2012, 11:37:09 PM

Title: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 02, 2012, 11:37:09 PM
I just bought a pair of Jackson Competitor skates on eBay for a good price ($72 + $15 shipping). They were only worn 2-3 times, looked great in pictures but apparently manufactured long ago, as the seller says:

Quote
These are older, from before Jackson redesigned their boots and before they paired with Ultima to make their blades; these have MK Mark V blades made by MK in England.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Jackson-Competitor-Ice-Figure-Skates-5B-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$T2eC16J,!)8E9s4l6!IHBQpvN9Bzbw~~60_3.JPG)

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Jackson-Competitor-Ice-Figure-Skates-5B-/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$T2eC16R,!)cE9s4PtHh3BQpvNy8T2g~~60_3.JPG)

Fingers crossed that the sizing of Jackson skates has not changed during this period, as the seller's size for street shoes is 1/2 size bigger than mine. And that the boots are still in shape after all these years. Anyone remember what kind of blades Mark Vs are?

I am not sure if I'll retire my current boots immediately or hang onto them a little longer... Oh maybe just swap the Coronation Ace blades to the new boots and keep the old boots + Mark V blades as outdoor / backup skates. So excited! :)

One minor setback: I always bought used, broken-in skates and now I have to break these in myself!! ;)
Title: Re: Bought older Jackson Competitor skates on eBay :)
Post by: SynchKat on December 03, 2012, 12:15:20 AM
My last skates were Jackson competitor.  I was "under booted"...I am hard on skates.  I also switched the blades so I never used the stock blade but I did get $75 from the shop for the blades so you got a pretty sweet deal. 

Anyway, they weren't that hard to break in.  I had to have the, broken in basically in a month and I managed to do that so don't worry about breaking them in.
Title: Re: Bought older Jackson Competitor skates on eBay :)
Post by: Janie on December 03, 2012, 12:58:46 AM
Nice deal!! And it would be really good to have other blades that you won't feel bad skating on an outdoor rink. I don't think I'd want to wear my nice skates out on the rough ice!
Title: Re: Bought older Jackson Competitor skates on eBay :)
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 01:19:19 AM
Anyway, they weren't that hard to break in.  I had to have them broken in basically in a month and I managed to do that so don't worry about breaking them in.

My previous skates were fine in just a week or so, as someone else did the hard part... My current blades are just sharpened, I plan to visit the pro shop when the next sharpening is due, and start to walk around in the new boots at home in the meanwhile...


Nice deal!! And it would be really good to have other blades that you won't feel bad skating on an outdoor rink. I don't think I'd want to wear my nice skates out on the rough ice!

Haha, but then I was worried about adjusting back and forth. I need to find out more about Mark V blades vs. my current Coronation Ace. Sadly there was barely anything on this particular blade online. Help is greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: FigureSpins on December 03, 2012, 07:45:03 AM
I've never heard of Mark V blades.  The photos seem to show that the "Made in England" printing on the blade has worn off; maybe these are Mark IV blades?  There's enough room for the "I" after the star.  You'll have to wait until the skates arrive to examine them and find out.

In either case, I would recommend moving your current blades because the CorAces are better blades for freestyle than the "Mark Whatevers."
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 10:08:17 AM
Thank you FigureSpins! Seller just replied, she thinks the skates are about 10 years old, but near new condition... Oh well, we will see how the boots fare.

Mark V probably only came with competitor skates for a short while, Google search mainly shows them together, just no technical info whatsoever.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: sarahspins on December 03, 2012, 10:50:08 AM
They are probably generic low level freestyle blades - a step up from most rec blades but definitely on at the level of your coro ace's.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 11:06:30 AM
They are probably generic low level freestyle blades - a step up from most rec blades but definitely on at the level of your coro ace's.

Thanks! I mainly wonder if it's worth to keep them as back up, adjusting between Mark V and Coronation Ace. When skating outdoor I barely try to spin well, as long as it I could do turns, footwork, and some jumps I'll be fine.

The current stock blades for Competitor are mirage, so I'd guess Mark V may be comparable...
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: retired on December 03, 2012, 01:42:11 PM
I have these, with the MarkV blade. I just went down in the basement and dug one out. I kept these around for pond skates but really they killed my feet. My hooks are brass.

I remember when I got them back in 2001 the dealer said they were from the previous year's discontinued stock, so that gives you an idea of age.     They also had decent insoles, the purply ones.  The blades feel more coronation ace-ish than coronation comet.

The ones you bought look like they're in great shape. 

Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 01:57:22 PM
I have these, with the MarkV blade. I just went down in the basement and dug one out. I kept these around for pond skates but really they killed my feet. My hooks are brass.

I remember when I got them back in 2001 the dealer said they were from the previous year's discontinued stock, so that gives you an idea of age.     They also had decent insoles, the purply ones.  The blades feel more coronation ace-ish than coronation comet.

The ones you bought look like they're in great shape.

Thanks! So the age could be 15+ wow.

Do you feel the sizing stayed more or less consistent?
Thanks for digging them out from the basement :D
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: aussieskater on December 03, 2012, 02:46:44 PM
Re the blades - if you want to keep the Mark V blades for pond or backup skates, you might be able to have them re-rockered to match your Aces.  You'd need access to a really good skate sharpener, and going from 8' to 7' would take off a fair bit of hardened steel at heel and toe, but from the photo it looks like you have plenty available.  A couple of years ago, my sharpener used what was left of the hardened steel on my old blades (Mark IVs) to match the spin rocker and overall rocker of the then-new new MK Pros he put on my current boots.  I did skate on them once after he did it, to test it out, and it and worked a treat.

Re the actual boots - they look in great shape.  The leather might have dried out a bit by now, so they might not be quite as easy to get your feet to shape them as you'd be used to.  When did heat molding come in - do these ones have that (at 15+, I'd suspect not)?
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 02:50:04 PM
Re the actual boots - they look in great shape.  The leather might have dried out a bit by now, so they might not be quite as easy to get your feet to shape them as you'd be used to.  When did heat molding come in - do these ones have that (at 15+, I'd suspect not)?

Oh %@#$! Thanks for pointing it out.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: aussieskater on December 03, 2012, 02:56:57 PM
Just because they don't have heat molding doesn't mean they won't shape for you; it'll just take a bit more patience. Before heat molding came in, skaters broke in their boots OK.  So I think the lack of heat molding is not a deal-breaker here, but you maybe wouldn't want to go out and try for a test right away!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: Kim to the Max on December 03, 2012, 03:30:55 PM
Oh %@#$! Thanks for pointing it out.

I have never had my skates heat molded. It just takes a little bit of time and skating to get them to a place where they feel good (Harlicks can be heat molded, but I choose not to. I had them as a kid before heat molded and now I just prefer not to).

--KM
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: AgnesNitt on December 03, 2012, 03:57:22 PM
Maybe the blades are an earlier marking of the MK Vision blades?

http://figureskatingstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=545&osCsid=8gk789d2rj888elijgq5cq83p7
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: sarahspins on December 03, 2012, 04:02:42 PM
Just because they don't have heat molding doesn't mean they won't shape for you; it'll just take a bit more patience. Before heat molding came in, skaters broke in their boots OK.  So I think the lack of heat molding is not a deal-breaker here, but you maybe wouldn't want to go out and try for a test right away!

Agreed.. heat molding really just speeds up the break in process, it's definitely not a deal breaker.  If you have specific problem areas (like bunions), you can still get those punched if necessary.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: karrot on December 03, 2012, 06:22:23 PM
Hey, I was checking that exact pair out on eBay! I won a pair of Freestyles instead though, which I thought would be better for me. :)

Mine may be almost that old, judging by the info you've found here. Freestyle boot in near perfect shape, but also with an MK 21 blade that's not manufactured anymore. By wearing my new boots during tv time every day, I've made mine just about comfy enough within a week and a half. Still might need to have the toe boxes punched though.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: Sk8tmum on December 03, 2012, 07:00:53 PM
RE Heat Molding ... back in the day when people broke in their boots without it, the boots were all leather ... the heat molded ones have plastic inside the leather, which doesn't break in the same way - they're designed to be fitted with heat molding.  There is one local guy who refuses to get the "oven" to fit heat molded skates. I can always tell the kids who go to him:  they are the ones with the gel sleeves, the punchouts, and the complaints.  The kids who go to the place that does mold them are universally more comfortable from day one. 
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: ChristyRN on December 03, 2012, 09:38:47 PM
I got my first Competitors in 2003--just retired them last year due to the tongue breaking down--I was wearing gel "lacebit" sleeves.  They had the Mark blade--not sure if it was the V or VI--I could go get them, but I'm too lazy after my 12 hour shift.  I never did get them heat molded, and they fit fine.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: icedancer on December 03, 2012, 10:06:34 PM
Can you show a photo of the picks?
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 03, 2012, 10:14:39 PM
Coach used to think there is something wrong with my right skate (struggling so much with back scratch spin), I am secretly hoping it was indeed the case and the new boots magically fix it, ha!  :angel:

Thank you for all the observations on heat molding. Fingers crossed it's not THAT old.


I got my first Competitors in 2003--just retired them last year due to the tongue breaking down--I was wearing gel "lacebit" sleeves.  They had the Mark blade--not sure if it was the V or VI--I could go get them, but I'm too lazy after my 12 hour shift.  I never did get them heat molded, and they fit fine.

After a good night's sleep, please, pretty please? :D


Can you show a photo of the picks?

I do not have one, and the seller probably packed them up already. I suspect they are just generic freestyle blades. Will certainly post photos when the skates arrive! :)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: icedancer on December 04, 2012, 12:43:42 AM
Well, as far as heat-molding goes, put me into the category of most of the adult skaters I know who do NOT like heat-molding and would prefer the just plain leather boots over the heat molded ones any day.

I have had two pairs of boots in the last 22 years of skating and I have to say that I LOVED my 1st pair of non-heat molded SP Teri's for 15 years and have pretty much hated my heat-molded SP Teri's for the last seven years... yes, I am that stubborn to not try again with leather boots!

Nice find in the online department - hope they fit and you can use them!

I found an AWESOME pair of Italian leather hiking shoes at Goodwill today - they are worth at least $150 new and I got them for $12.99 - barely used - they are PERFECT for schlepping around in Portland's rainy winter wonderland!!!!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 04, 2012, 11:49:57 AM
Major heart attack: did not get an email reply from Jackson, so I called them up to inquire about "competitor skates with mark V blades". A supervisor told me:

1) they are at least 6 years old 
2) not heat moldable if they have PVC soles
3) *IF* they have PVC soles, it's not possible to change the blades

I am not familiar with PVC... Does the first photo look like PVC or leather soles? :sigh:
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: FigureSpins on December 04, 2012, 11:54:22 AM
They're leather soles -- that was a stock CMA reply. 

In general, any skate with leather soles and uppers can be heat-molded.  If it doesn't have the inner plastic molding material, it's just less effective, but heat will still help.

If the leather upper is dried-out, that's going to take some work to soften up again.  They don't look very heavily-padded; you could use the damp-sock break in trick from back in the day.  That'll get some moisture into the leather and help them mold to your feet.

Hope you like the skates.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 04, 2012, 12:05:31 PM
Thank you FigureSpins!! My guess is the person I talked to was not familiar with this old model :S 
Surprised that PVC was brought up, I asked if competitor skates could have PVC soles and she said yes.

I used the wet socks with my Jackson Classique, and somehow managed to fall asleep in them. Woke up with REALLY cold feet, lol!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: AgnesNitt on December 04, 2012, 12:59:45 PM
Major heart attack: did not get an email reply from Jackson, so I called them up to inquire about "competitor skates with mark V blades". A supervisor told me:

1) they are at least 6 years old 
2) not heat moldable if they have PVC soles
3) *IF* they have PVC soles, it's not possible to change the blades

I am not familiar with PVC... Does the first photo look like PVC or leather soles? :sigh:

FYI this site has a picture of the Jackson PVC soles. Once you see them, you'll always remember them. They're as plastic as plastic can be.

http://www.skates.co.uk/ice-skates/mystique-jackson-figure-ice-skates-1490-1491.html
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: alejeather on December 04, 2012, 01:27:16 PM
How did you find these on eBay? Have you been watching for certain types of skates and snag these when a deal came around?
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 04, 2012, 01:44:35 PM
Thanks AgnesNitt!

How did you find these on eBay? Have you been watching for certain types of skates and snag these when a deal came around?

Honestly, if my local pro shop has used boots in my desired size and model, I would rather buy from them for the peace of mind...

Pure dumb luck in this case. There were other bidders too. A friend of mine also won a pair of like new competitor boots in my size not long ago under $100 (now I should ask her how old those were...) If you look at the sold listings on eBay, deals actually do surface frequently.

eBay can send notification for saved searches: http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/save-searches.html. I have not used it personally. Guess there are third party apps too?
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: icedancer on December 04, 2012, 03:51:22 PM
I have bought blades on ebay and have the daily search notice sent daily for "figure skate blades" - just about anything to do with skating comes up and I have seen some great stuff on there - and every once in a while something you need - one time a skater in my area was selling her skates on ebay and I went to the rink and tried them out - didn't buy them because she wanted WAY too much money for them (IMHO) but she did sell them at a certain point to someone at that price - so yeah, there is stuff out there and it is easy to do the daily digest thingy.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: ChristyRN on December 04, 2012, 06:47:16 PM
After a good night's sleep, please, pretty please? :D


I dug out the box.  I think it's actually my second set--a stupid rink employee totally effed up the first pair.  I was mistaken--they are Ultima Matrix blades.  Maybe the Marks were on my Classique/Mystiques? Those are at the rink for a beginner to try--I can't go check them.  ;)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: platyhiker on December 04, 2012, 07:37:24 PM
FYI this site has a picture of the Jackson PVC soles. Once you see them, you'll always remember them. They're as plastic as plastic can be.

http://www.skates.co.uk/ice-skates/mystique-jackson-figure-ice-skates-1490-1491.html

Yow!  Those sure are plastic looking - ick!  However, not all Jackson PVC soles look that way.  Here's one that is clearly trying to imitate the look of leather soles by making it look like there are layers in the heel:  http://www.skates.co.uk/ice-skates/glacier-gsu-120-jackson-ice-skates.html (http://www.skates.co.uk/ice-skates/glacier-gsu-120-jackson-ice-skates.html)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 04, 2012, 09:17:09 PM
I dug out the box.  I think it's actually my second set--a stupid rink employee totally effed up the first pair.  I was mistaken--they are Ultima Matrix blades.  Maybe the Marks were on my Classique/Mystiques? Those are at the rink for a beginner to try--I can't go check them.  ;)

Thank you very much :D :D

Please do not worry about checking Classique/Mystiques. My old Classiques had Mark IV blades. The puzzling thing is Mark V blades that briefly paired with old old old Competitors :P
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 05, 2012, 11:43:46 AM
Email reply from Jackson:
Quote
The Mark V blade was used on our first versions of our Competitor models in the late 1990’s until 2001.  It was comparable to the John Wilson Club 2000 blade.
Given the age of the skate, we do not recommend comparing to our current Competitor model.  Materials and cements used within the skate can deteriorate over time and may no longer provide the support needed for current model recommended use.

So 15+ is about right. I am really curious about the boot condition :P
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: platyhiker on December 05, 2012, 02:12:20 PM
So 15+ is about right. I am really curious about the boot condition :P

I can offer you a reason for optimism - I returned to skating last winter, and I am using the skates my parents bought me around 1982.  As you would expect, they are all leather skates (no heat-moldable plastic in them).  The leather is in fine shape and the skates are still very supportive.  My feet have changed a bit over the years, getting a bit wider, so I did have the front third of the skate stretched for width.  My skates were made by Oberhammer, which seems to have gone out of business, and are a boot for fairly high level skaters.

The photo of your skates makes it look like they have hardly been used.  As long as they were stored in a reasonable environment (i.e. not someplace that let them get moldy), there are quite good odds they are in very good shape.  I would read the comment from Jackson that "Materials and cements used within the skate can deteriorate over time and may no longer provide the support needed" as a CYA response to help avoid possible lawsuits.

I will be very interested in what you think of the general "feel" of the skate compared to more modern skates.  (I have read comments on this board that quite a few skaters who once skated in all leather skates are not wild about the newer, stiffer skate designs.  I have not read the comments of anybody trying the reverse sequence.)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 05, 2012, 02:38:46 PM
I can offer you a reason for optimism - I returned to skating last winter, and I am using the skates my parents bought me around 1982.  As you would expect, they are all leather skates (no heat-moldable plastic in them).  The leather is fine shape and the skates are still very supportive...

I will be very interested in what you think of the general "feel" of the skate compared to more modern skates.  (I have read comments on this board that quite a few skaters who once skated in all leather skates are not wild about the newer, stiffer skate designs.  I have not read the comments of anybody trying the reverse sequence.)

Thank you, that is a success story!

I have been wondering what are the main differences between all leather and more modern versions :)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: rachelplotkin on December 05, 2012, 02:52:11 PM
I have a pair of older, all leather Riedell skates from the mid 90's.  They were stored carefully and in good shape when I got them out in March.  But they were (are) unbearably uncomfortable.  I tried heating them with a blow dryer before putting them on.  I tried lacing looser.  I tried lacing tighter.  It did not seem to matter what I did they just never were comfortable (I did not get them punched out, however.)  The experts at Rainbo said the last that is used in figure skates has changed.  The skates I had were made from a last that was modeled on a woman's shoe from the 50's.  Switching to a heat moldable boot was a welcome relief for my feet.  Less than a week after getting my new skates I spent 4 hours in them for a skating workshop with no problem (which really amazed my coach.)
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: AgnesNitt on December 05, 2012, 07:18:02 PM
I understand the CYA status of Jackson, but I have a rideable sidesaddle that was made in the 20's. If cared for and stored well, the skates should be okay.

Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: sarahspins on December 05, 2012, 08:49:28 PM
My SP Teri Customs that were made in 1997 are still in good enough shape to skate in... old doesn't always mean much :)  If they were well cared for and not left in an attic or shed they will probably be just fine.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 09, 2012, 12:48:23 AM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XzOD9hGCSnc/UMQlIX_XifI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/wAjFdrZOEIU/s512/IMAG0661.jpg)

The skates are here, yes they are white and shinny. The interior padding on the sides of ankle is definitely drier and much thinner compared to my (close to end of life) current competitors of the same size. I am guessing the padding is thinner by design - from 15+ years ago.

With foot length of 9", I am size 5 in Jackson. Compared to my old skates of the exact same size and width (5B), they are visually the same length from outside, but look much narrower.

Assume Jackson sizing stayed consistent (big if), I am speculating
1) New skates are just narrower and expand over time
2) Padding is thinner hence skates look narrower on the outside
3) Some combination of the above :P

Ankle bone immediately hurts like crazy when I put my feet into the skates, BEFORE lacing up. I see some punching out in order if the skates are kept. Toe box seems narrower too. It also *feels* longer than my current skates, but if I put an index finger between the heel and my foot, it seems to be about the same in length.

I skated 2 very shaky laps in them between the shows today with mixed feelings. To be fair, I attribute the inability to stop to blades 1/3" longer than my current ones. Not sure how it will work, need a pro shop appointment soon!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 09, 2012, 12:59:33 AM
Jackson's current Competitors are DJ 2470, my existing skates are 2270.

The Jackson website lists the following old models for competitor:
DJ 1200 Competitor Ladies
DJ 1250 Competitor Ladies
DJ 1251 Competitor Misses
DJ 1270 Competitor Ladies   <-  and I now have this one :D
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: karrot on December 09, 2012, 09:43:39 PM
It's funny you mention the 1/3 in. sizing difference in the blade... My new (old) skates look just like yours and I was surprised the blades on mine were 9 1/3 (MK blades seem to all be in 1/4 size increments now.)

Mine hurt my ankle bone SO bad the first few days I put them on but they're pretty good now. I've been skating in them twice now, for about an hour at a time.
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 09, 2012, 10:09:16 PM
It's funny you mention the 1/3 in. sizing difference in the blade... My new (old) skates look just like yours and I was surprised the blades on mine were 9 1/3 (MK blades seem to all be in 1/4 size increments now.)

Mine hurt my ankle bone SO bad the first few days I put them on but they're pretty good now. I've been skating in them twice now, for about an hour at a time.

LOL!! I nearly stepped on the blade and kill myself on a T-stop. Never thought 1/3" would make so much difference.

I am sure I'll need to punch that out if I hold onto them. Sitting in the skates with wet socks without lacing up. After an hour my right ankle bone suddenly hurt so much that I had to free my feet immediately, the boot managed to make the ankle bone red...

Contemplating on making gel donuts already :P
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: platyhiker on December 10, 2012, 08:26:52 PM
It also *feels* longer than my current skates, but if I put an index finger between the heel and my foot, it seems to be about the same in length.

If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend using the insoles of the old and new skates to figure out if the length is correct for your foot.  Assuming there are removable insoles, pull out the insoles (from the new-to-you skates), stand on them and see if the length is appropriate for your foot.  Too long skates are a big handicap, so you want to check this before you spend a bunch of time adjusting other things.  Comparing the insoles with those of your prior skates will also tell you some about how the interior shapes of the skates compare.

I suspect a big part of the different appearance in width is the amount of padding on the sides of the skates.  (My circa 1982 skates have padding ONLY on the tongue and look much narrower than skates of today.)  As you experiment with getting the skates adjusted to your feet, I suggest experimenting with keeping the laces a bit on the loose side, as I suspect that the boot may have a narrower shape to start with - lace the boots up be just barely not loose and then tighten a little bit at any spots that feel like they need more support (most likely the last hole or two and the first hook or two to support the ankle well).  In adjusting my skates to my now-wider feet, I found that I had to re-learn how tight to make the laces.  (As a teenager, I had very narrow feet, and my boots are sized extra-narrow, and I still had pull pretty hard on the laces to get the support I needed then; now with medium width feet I need a lot less tension in the laces to support jump landings and spins.)

Good luck with work on the new skates!
Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 10, 2012, 11:53:34 PM
Thanks platyhiker, I totally forgot to do it!

Standing on the new insoles I could not tell if it's too long or not. I do not have the original insole for the old skates, but still tried to swap the insoles. New skate's insole barely fits into the old skate. By putting my yellow superfeet insole into the new skate and marking the distance from insole's tip to the front of the skate on my finger (lol), I am estimating the new skates are 1/16" - 1/8" longer than my old skates...

If anything, my old skates were OK snug, maybe even on the longer side. And the seller's street shoe size is half size bigger than mine (7 vs 6.5). Up to 1/8" longer, i.e. half skate size bigger probably will not work - maybe I don't even need to visit the pro shop. :'(

Title: Re: Mark V blades with (older) Jackson Competitor skates?
Post by: jjane45 on December 14, 2012, 04:27:08 PM
Up to 1/8" longer, i.e. half skate size bigger probably will not work - maybe I don't even need to visit the pro shop. :'(

I was offered some newspaper to be stuffed into the skates. Apparently that's how soviet athletes handled too long skates... :rolleyes: