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31
That's great about the boots!

Perhaps any figure skate laces of the right size might work. Unless Harlicks require thin laces. (Hockey laces are too wide for my boots.)

Also, do any of the pro shops near you, or other shoe or boot stores, sell "lace pullers". Basically just a hook. (So other hook tools might do.) Makes it very easy to pull laces tight. I used them for a while, before I discovered that round nylon utility cord of the right width is very easy on the fingers, and lasts almost forever. Though I recently replaced mine, because when nylon cord stretches after a few years or so, it becomes stiffer and harder to handle. A bit of a nuisance, because I had to melt the ends so I could push them through the holes - this time I used an electric burner, because I couldn't be bothered to buy matches.
32
The Pro Shop / SkateLoops: Your Perfect Practice Companion
« Last post by davincisop on March 20, 2024, 11:23:47 PM »
Hey everyone! It's been.... quite a while since I've been here.

I wanted to share a new app I created for skating. It's called SkateLoops and it allows you to upload, play, replay, and delay your program music. I've tested it hundreds of times now and have friends who have been helping me test and it's had a resounding positive review from everyone.

It's available currently for iOS with the goal of learning android and getting an android version up and running by end of summer. I started this in mid-December and went from no app coding knowledge to something workable.

If you are interested, you can download it here: www.skateloops.com

33
Okay... I'm swamped with travelling, paperwork and appointments, and more.  Now the report on getting my skates.  :)

I've been pretty comfortable in my (aggressively stretched) old pair, but these felt far more plush and good on my feet than I ever imagined.  These are more like sneakers.  They feel nothing like my old boots.  Heat moulding made this even better.  There were no pressure spots, not even on the ankle bones, and the top edges didn't cut in.

Those narrow Harlick laces killed my fingers and were hard to pull tight and keep tight.  For the first fifteen minutes I had arch cramps until I was able to tighten the laces enough. 
When I stepped on the ice I felt a little strange, and it was clear there was a slight adjustment in blade position compared to before to get used to.  I couldn't spin for a while.  (I was only on the ice half an hour, and I wish I had more time, because I was doing some sit and camel spins by the end.) 
They don't feel too stiff (the triple duo-bond) although I acknowledge they probably hinder bend and pointing toes.  I actually tried undoing a hook at some point in the session, as some people say to do when breaking in boots, but right away I went back to fully laced. 

Unfortunately I had computer and internet issues all evening, so photos must wait.   :-\
 
34
Today I had the kind of skate that made me question continuing, but when I arrived home a saw a notification and cheered up significantly:  Video of them complete! 

I love how they look, hope they feel good, and don’t break me trying to break them in.   ;D
35
For your sake, I hope the video was not a deep fake!  Hard to imagine Harlick is still in business; not sure how many skaters can tolerate nearly a 1-1/2 yr delivery time.  Here's hoping they fit out of the box.

Just imagine boots ordered for a growing child.  ::>)
36
For your sake, I hope the video was not a deep fake!  Hard to imagine Harlick is still in business; not sure how many skaters can tolerate nearly a 1-1/2 yr delivery time.  Here's hoping they fit out of the box.
37
The Pro Shop / Re: Intermediate blade choices (MK Pro, Paramount SP)
« Last post by tstop4me on March 13, 2024, 12:49:43 PM »

- The CPs have a bit more glide than my old Pros - which might just be a function of them being brand new. They're sharpened to the same ROH as my old blades (1/2"), so no difference there.


If you have a micrometer or caliper, you should check the thickness of the CP vs the Pro.  At a constant ROH, you should get less bite/more glide if the the CP is significantly thinner than the Pro.
38
I have an update! 
Yesterday Harlick did a live video, and I saw my boots!
39
The Pro Shop / Re: Intermediate blade choices (MK Pro, Paramount SP)
« Last post by mjebos86 on March 13, 2024, 11:50:23 AM »
Update - I have my new skates!

I ended up going with the Paramount CP blade (essentially the carbon steel version of the SP blade I was initially interested in). My tech tried to order the SP for me, but the CP was shipped instead (I think there was a miscommunication, and my tech doesn't typically stock Paramount, so she didn't catch it). She was very apologetic and offered to order the SP for me, but I decided not to wait, as my old skates were getting increasingly uncomfortable and starting to hinder my progress.

A few points of interest:

- When my tech sharpened the CPs, she commented that they seemed a bit harder than average for carbon steel blades - so even though it wouldn't be on the level of a stainless blade, she thinks it's possible I might still get a little more time between sharpenings than I did with my old MK Pros.

- My tech also mentioned that in her emails with Paramount, they described the CP as having a 7' main rocker. I thought that was interesting to note, as Paramount's website doesn't give main rocker radii for their lower-level blades - just the higher-level 12", 17", and 27" stainless blades (and even then, they're not necessarily "given" per se, but implied by the diagrams in their brochure showing the MK/JW profiles they're based on).

- The 12" spin rocker on the CP feels much more round than my old MK Pros ever did, even when they were brand new. I also found this interesting given the mystery surrounding the actual specs of the spin rockers on the MK Pro and the Coronation Ace. Paramount says that per their measurements, the MK Pro has a 12" spin rocker, and the Coronation Ace's is a more subtle compound 12"/27" - but in Bill S's excellent thread on this forum comparing the two, it seemed like this wasn't necessarily the case. After skating on the Paramounts, I feel pretty certain that whatever the MK Pro's specs are, it does not have a 12" spin rocker (or at least, the pair I've had for the last 5 years didn't!).

- The CPs have a bit more glide than my old Pros - which might just be a function of them being brand new. They're sharpened to the same ROH as my old blades (1/2"), so no difference there.

Overall, while it's only been a couple weeks, I'm quite happy with the Paramount blades so far. If my long-term experience with them is as good as my initial impression has been, I could definitely see myself getting another pair in the future - maybe even the stainless ones next time :)
40
The Pro Shop / Re: Pro-Filer Redirects to Wissota
« Last post by Kaitsu on March 12, 2024, 02:30:15 PM »
Grit size in sand paper was 800. I am not sure if your 800 grit is same as ours. Nevertheless, its already very fine grit.

As the material removal in the polishing is so less, I didn't monitor how much polishing affected to the edges evenness. As long as I round the edges, it does not matter how well I can keep edges even.

Polishing will take less time than what I use for power grinding. In the polishing I do not need to make measurements and height adjustments after every few passes like I do in the power grinding. Its more straight forward proses. If I could get mirror finish without rounding the edges, I could use that extra time on special cases. I believe the difference in the gliding properties is so small that it does not make sense to make it for the skaters which maintain their skates in 6-12 month's cycles and walk in the concrete floors without covers.
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