MK sliver test blades.

[so_jesslovescats]

I scored a pair of MK sliver test blades for 4 dollars off a old pair of Jackson boots. My coach is putting them on a pair of her old risport skates. I was wondering about my blades though anyone have any information??

[icedancer]

Silver test are for doing figures.  I hope your coach knows that - I am guessing he/she does!

That being said I knew a young skater (in his teens) who learned to skate in a pair of used boots that had Silver Test blades - since he had never skated on anything else he did fine, passed a bunch of moves and dance tests and even competed dance at maybe pre-Juvenile/Juvenile level.

[so_jesslovescats]

Would there be any benefit to someone who doesn't have a big reach (as in the less to bring over top my other foot the better)/ balance issues? at this point I can't afford much so we were just going to throw these together and hope for the best. I've only ever skated in recreational skates so this will be the first pair that isn't.

[icedancer]

If all you have skated in are recreational skates then you might be fine - but I would be careful as there is very little bottom pick to "catch" you if you lean too far forward.

I guess your coach will have to use their own best judgement with you and these blades.

[so_jesslovescats]

I can't see what the harm is in trying them at this point. Coach seems to think I'll be fine in them and to be honest I need a lot of figure work and have been doing A LOT of it (or trying I'm not saying any of my skating looks beautiful at this point).
At this point we just want me out of recreational skates.

[Loops]

I skated on silver test blades (still have them- hording them in hopes of one day doing figures again).   They are good blades.  I saw you mention this in a different post, and scratched my head, wondering if you'd mistaken the blade model.

I did love them for patch, but when I've skated on them recreationally (loaning the "normal" skates to non-skater friends), I've found them difficult, but it's because I'm used to a drag pick, and those have none.  I don't recall what skates you're in now, and what the pick configuration is like.  If you're in recreational skates you might not notice much a difference, but if you're moving from anything made by Wilson/MK or a MarkIV you will have to adjust to that lack of a drag pick.

Once you adjust, your three-turns are going to be so clean they'll sparkle!  You'll have to push/stroke correctly, And if you're used to to scratching to control your speed going backwards (a bad habit we all have), you're not going to be able to do that anymore, because there's no pick to cheat off of.  No drag pick might also make for cleaner spins.....

I don't recall your level, but if you're jumping, or starting jumps you might notice that lack of a pick- you and your coach will need to adjust your technique, particularly on your landings, since you'll need to be a smidge higher on your toe. 

Something that hasn't been mentioned which you should bear in mind before you skate on them: if they're in good shape with a good edge, it might be tempting to not sharpen them.  But, if they're still sharpened to the previous owner's patch tastes, you're going to feel skiddy.  People usually had a shallower grind for patch- I actually have a particularly shallow one at 1.5 inches.  It's probably a good idea to mention to your sharpener that you'll be using them for both figures and freestyle (with emphasis on freestyle???), so s/he can ensure there's an appropriate grind on the blades.  You don't want them to assume anything here.

Enjoy them!  And enjoy doing figures!  I always loved those......

[so_jesslovescats]

I am skating in a Jackson Glacier 120's and they are about the worst skate (even for a recreational skate) I literally destroyed the blades because the money grubbing skate sharpeners (The only place in reasonable distance who do figures skaters edges) put figure skaters edges on them even though the blades were cheap aluminum and knew they wouldn't hold it. and now they can no longer be sharpened at all.  I've picked up some horrendous habits from these skates and my spins are AWFUL. I have also been injured on these skates because they were dull in spots and caught in the ice (displaced ribs suck!)

So I by chance was at our local frenchy's (It's a HUGE chain of used clothing stores in Nova Scotia/Atlantic Canada) and picked up a pair of old boots (Jackson 3000 somethings they didn't fit) with brand new MK sliver test blades that our sharpener says were never used. So $4 latter I have semi decent blades. I am VERY low level right now I have a two footed jump with rotation (It's half a rotation I like to pretend it's more!) and have not learned how to cross cut left.

[Loops]

Lucky lucky you!  $4!!!!

[jbruced]

Silver test are for doing figures.

What are the key features of blades designed for doing figures as opposed to those designed for freestyle and dance? Since compulsory figures are gone, are these kinds of blades even being manufactured any more? The only thing I know about blades in general is that dance blades apparently have a shorter tail.

[JSM]

Figure blades have no bottom toe pick - I've skated on them, and quite frankly, inexperienced skaters should NOT be jumping in them. 

When you land a jump that drag pick is the first thing that should touch the ice.  Without it, you'll land flat footed, which is a habit you don't really want to get into.

Plus, that drag pick is what "scratches" when you do scratch spins.

I guess it will really force you to use your blades properly in stroking - there won't be any toe pushing (you'll fall over if you try!).  But I'd really try to find different blades if possible.

[so_jesslovescats]

The only JUMP I have is a two footed bunny hop that  barely gets 8 inches(three inches is more like it) off the ground (IF THAT) I'm not learning ANY jumps AT ALL I don't even THINK I'll get a waltz jump in till the end of next year I am at least 12 months away from that. I only HAVE a two footed spin, I am at the bare bones of the CanSkate program. Footwork is SUPER important to me and the only thing I am hoping to accomplish in the six weeks I have left are cross cuts. They aren't ideal I get that, but for now it's all I have, other than a pair of Glacier 120's that I can't sharpen.