Introduction and a blade question.

[Lola]

Hi everyone,

I tripped over this forum when I was searching on skating questions and I'm happy to be here!  I skated as a kid from before I could remember to 12, took a 30-something year break and picked it back up when one of my kids started taking lessons. I've passed Bronze moves.

Here's the blade question.  After skating in Edea chorus and MK pro for two maybe three years, I put a pair of Wilson Pattern 99's on my Edea boots. Tomorrow's my first time on the ice with them and I know the rocker is different. What should I expect?  Happily accepting tips to help with a smooth(er) transition. Thanks!   

[icedancer]

Welcome to skatingforums!

You will find yourself quite at home here as there a lot of "skated as a kid, came back years later" members - I myself skated until I was 14, took twenty years off and now 25 years later still - am still going strong!

The rocker on the Pattern 99 is flatter than the Professionals so you actually may not feel much of a difference if your Professionals have flattened over a few years of sharpening.

The toe picks are probably bigger on the Pattern 99.  The stanchion are very slightly lower also so you may feel a bit closer to the ice (I myself like this feeling - I wear a dance version of the Pattern 99)

But with ANY blade change - even with new blades of the same type - you will notice a difference, mostly because the rockers are always different and so you need to find your balance point again. The tails may be slightly longer or shorter as well, and the angle of the bottom pick may be different.

What discipline are you doing?

I always give myself a few weeks to get used to any new blade.

Have fun!

[Lola]

Thanks so much for the reply!  I had to laugh when you said the rocker is flatter on the 99's. I matched them up yesterday and the pros are much flatter than the new blades, so I guess they were spent. All the more reason to be glad I'm trying something new.

I'm skating to stay in shape and because it's fun, and take the moves tests to have something to work toward. I also enjoy freestyle, so as far as a discipline goes, it's whatever is fun. Yes. The fun discipline.

Thanks again for the warm welcome.

[Lola]

An update for anyone following this:  the 99's do feel different but in a good way. I can turn without a fight -- helps if you have a rocker. I'm still finding my balance spinning, but for the first time out I'm pleasantly surprised at how easy it felt.

Everyone have a great day!

[icedancer]

I didn't want to say this in my first response but many many people really LOVE their Pattern 99s!

[Loops]

Welcome, Lola!  I'm so glad the blades are working out!  Happy skating.

[Doubletoe]

The Wilson Pattern 99 is a flatter blade than the MK Professional.  If your Professionals have been sharpened a lot and near the end of their life, the rocker won't be as round and the transition should be easier when it comes to jumps, spins and turns.  On the other hand, the Pattern 99 (which is an 8-ft radius blade vs. the 7-ft Pro) is also flatter in the BACK of the blade, which might mess with you a little.  When I went from a 7' radius blade to an 8' radius blade, back crossovers felt really weird.  I had to train myself to put my weight more on the back of the blade when skating backwards.  But once I got used to that, I loved the glide of the flatter blade!