I was all set to get a brand-new pair of skates, as I'd mentioned a couple weeks ago... but being that this is going to be the first pair I've owned in 20 years, I thought it would be fine to go for a used pair to start with. At the pro shop when I got fitted, I liked the Jackson Freestyle best, but the last pair they had in stock was a 6.5 B, half a size too long. So when a pair of like-new Freestyles in 6 B showed up on eBay, I couldn't resist going for it! The pair I bought is definitely from several years ago (thin red insole, logo-free tongue, Made In Canada tag, and MK 21 blade) but is in pristine condition. They're beauties!
So... then came the trying on. The length is perfect on both boots, and the heel fits snugly. But I could tell right away that I'm going to need to get the forefeet punched out just a bit (at least/especially on the left boot) around both the ball and the toes. The only part of either foot that hurt immediately was my left outer anklebone. Owww!! This old model doesn't have ankle pockets in the padding. The right boot didn't really squish my toes or hurt my anklebones. I think its fit may be improved by heat molding alone. Knee bend was just fine with only the top hook left undone. Heat molding should help my feet fit better into the heelcups better too, right? I've still got to tap it back there when I try the skates on.
This older-model skate is lined with nice, thick suede. i.e., it feels quite a bit stiffer than the new model, which was comfy right out of the box. The blade doesn't appear to have been sharpened beyond the factory sharpening, and the blade mount is still the factory installed one. I couldn't find much online about the MK 21 blade... it doesn't seem like MK makes it anymore.
One other thing is that I actually have a pretty high arch and while the skate boot is super supportive, I wonder if it'd fit even better if it had more of an arch. As far as shoes go though, I don't find it really necessary or more comfortable to have a really supportive insole (I usually wear slip-on Vans sneakers or Dansko clogs, and the Vans are comfier to me on pretty much any day.)
It may be that the previous owner had the skates heat-molded before, and that would account for why one foot fits me better than the other one. I'm still pretty sure that these will be perfect for me after I have them tweaked and broken in.
![Skates :WS:](http://skatingforums.com/Smileys/default/whiteskates.jpg)