Jackson Ultima Legacy Blades vs. Paramount CP Figure Skating Blades

[kateskate]

Hi.  I am trying to buy blades for a new pair of boots.  Currently I have MK Galaxy blades on my old boots.  I have been very happy with them but since I have to buy another pair of blades, I thought I might need to move up to a higher level of blades since the Galaxies are supposed to be similar to an entry level blade.  I am currently at skating level Freeskate 3 (USFS) so I've got a ways to go before I'll be doing any double jumps. 

I've been doing some research and I have narrowed it down to 2 blades: the Jackson Ultima Legacy and the Paramount CP Blade.  I'm focusing on these 2 b/c they both seem to have very similar specs to the Galaxies.  Since I'm used to the Galaxies, I want something similar in terms of rocker size, ROH, etc...   I don't want a big learning curve with a new pair of blades.  My spins are fairly centered in the Galaxies so I don't want something that's going to differ radically from that.   

The big difference I see in these 2 (besides the Paramount being lightweight) is the front radius size.  Paramount front radius is 12", the Ultima Legacy front radius is 27", huge difference!!!  I don't know which one would be better for me.  I also do not know what the front radius is for the Galaxy b/c I would ideally like something similar to that but I haven't been able to find that info online.  Does anyone have any opinions on which one I should get?  The prices of both seem similar.   Or I could just get another pair of Galaxy blades since I'm very happy with those but I thought maybe this is a good time for me to move up since I have to buy new blades anyway ( I want to keep my old blades mounted to my old boots so I'll have a back up pair of skates).   Plus, I don't want the Galaxies to hold me back as I learn more advanced single jumps and more advanced spins.  Any thoughts???

Thank You!     

[tstop4me]

I don't have a direct response to your question, because I'm not familiar with any of the blades you've mentioned.  I do have some caveats to offer, though:

(1) Where are you getting the specs on the blades?  I suspect you are getting them from an online skating store website.  If so, I would verify them directly with the manufacturer, because retailer websites aren't always accurate (and I've seen the same errors propagated among different websites).  On the Jackson Ultima website, the main rocker radius, but not the spin rocker radius, is given.  On the Paramount website, the reverse is true:  the spin rocker radius, but not the main rocker radius, is given.  Especially if you are interested in a 8' main rocker radius, you should confirm with Paramount what the main rocker radius of the CP is:  it's advertised as "comparable to" the MK Pro, which has a 7' radius.  But "comparable to" can mean anything at all, so you need to check.

(2) Note that in addition to the CP (listed as a 12" spin rocker radius), Paramount also offers the CA (listed as a 27" spin rocker radius), advertised as comparable to the Wilson Coronation Ace, which also has a 7' radius.  Again, you should check with Paramount on the spec for their version.

(3) The Paramount videos (https://www.paramountskates.com/videos) are very informative; especially the ones on "Blade Profiles" and "Lift Angles".  Note that when Paramount says a 27" spin rocker radius, they are actually referring to a compound spin rocker with a 12" spin rocker radius immediately in back of the drag pick, followed by a 27" spin rocker radius.  This gives you a much higher heel lift for spins than a single 27" spin rocker radius, which is fairly flat.  But note that all manufacturers do not follow this convention:  in some instances, a 27" spin rocker radius means a fairly flat single spin rocker.  So you must check directly with the manufacturer.  Some manufacturers are way more responsive than others, however, in giving out specs (or even replying to inquiries).

(4) If you are considering Paramounts, make sure you have a tech in your area that can sharpen them.  Not all skate holders can accommodate the Paramount blades, and some techs don't want to buy a special jig for them (that also applies for Ultima Matrix blades).

(5) The as-supplied ROH is not an issue.  You can get them sharpened to your desired ROH.

[Christy]

I had the Matrix Legacy blades for a while and really liked them. I moved from MK Pros to them and got used to them within an hour. I found spins were really good and they felt stable when landing single jumps. I didn't find any negatives with them at all, however they do require sharpeners to use special equipment so you should check that your sharpener can sharpen them. They held a sharpening for ages and were lighter than the MK Pros.

[kateskate]

I don't have a direct response to your question, because I'm not familiar with any of the blades you've mentioned.  I do have some caveats to offer, though:

(1) Where are you getting the specs on the blades?  I suspect you are getting them from an online skating store website.  If so, I would verify them directly with the manufacturer, because retailer websites aren't always accurate (and I've seen the same errors propagated among different websites).  On the Jackson Ultima website, the main rocker radius, but not the spin rocker radius, is given.  On the Paramount website, the reverse is true:  the spin rocker radius, but not the main rocker radius, is given.  Especially if you are interested in a 8' main rocker radius, you should confirm with Paramount what the main rocker radius of the CP is:  it's advertised as "comparable to" the MK Pro, which has a 7' radius.  But "comparable to" can mean anything at all, so you need to check.

(2) Note that in addition to the CP (listed as a 12" spin rocker radius), Paramount also offers the CA (listed as a 27" spin rocker radius), advertised as comparable to the Wilson Coronation Ace, which also has a 7' radius.  Again, you should check with Paramount on the spec for their version.

(3) The Paramount videos (https://www.paramountskates.com/videos) are very informative; especially the ones on "Blade Profiles" and "Lift Angles".  Note that when Paramount says a 27" spin rocker radius, they are actually referring to a compound spin rocker with a 12" spin rocker radius immediately in back of the drag pick, followed by a 27" spin rocker radius.  This gives you a much higher heel lift for spins than a single 27" spin rocker radius, which is fairly flat.  But note that all manufacturers do not follow this convention:  in some instances, a 27" spin rocker radius means a fairly flat single spin rocker.  So you must check directly with the manufacturer.  Some manufacturers are way more responsive than others, however, in giving out specs (or even replying to inquiries).

(4) If you are considering Paramounts, make sure you have a tech in your area that can sharpen them.  Not all skate holders can accommodate the Paramount blades, and some techs don't want to buy a special jig for them (that also applies for Ultima Matrix blades).

(5) The as-supplied ROH is not an issue.  You can get them sharpened to your desired ROH.

Thank you for all of the information.  It was very informative, which I need because I know very little about blades.   
Yes, I've been getting my specs from one of the retailer's websites.  I will definitely check with the manufacturer to make sure the specs that I  have are correct.  Thanks for telling me about the Paramount videos as well.  I didn't know they had any videos out there.  I also had no idea that some of the blades required special equipment for sharpening them.  That may be enough of a reason alone for me to buy the Ultima Legacy blades instead of the Paramount blades b/c I don't want to own blades that might be a problem to sharpen.  I guess it's the "lightweight" blades that require special equipment to sharpen them.  Thanks again for all of your help.    Happy New Year!!!

[kateskate]

I had the Matrix Legacy blades for a while and really liked them. I moved from MK Pros to them and got used to them within an hour. I found spins were really good and they felt stable when landing single jumps. I didn't find any negatives with them at all, however they do require sharpeners to use special equipment so you should check that your sharpener can sharpen them. They held a sharpening for ages and were lighter than the MK Pros.

I'm glad you like your blades.  Getting used to them in just an hour isn't bad at all!  I was afraid if I got some blades that were very different than my current ones that it could take weeks to get used to them.  Thanks for telling me that they require special equipment for sharpening.  I think I would rather have blades that are more standard so that the sharpening won't be an issue.  Thanks for your help.  Hope you have a Happy New Year!!!

[tstop4me]

To OP:  Remember, the original Legacy had a 8' main rocker radius.  About a year ago, the Legacy 7, with a 7' radius, was introduced.  The original Legacy was then renamed the Legacy 8.  So if you want an 8' radius, make sure it's a Legacy 8.  The Matrix Legacy currently is offered only with the original 8' radius.

[kateskate]

To OP:  Remember, the original Legacy had a 8' main rocker radius.  About a year ago, the Legacy 7, with a 7' radius, was introduced.  The original Legacy was then renamed the Legacy 8.  So if you want an 8' radius, make sure it's a Legacy 8.  The Matrix Legacy currently is offered only with the original 8' radius.

Okay, thank you!

[Christy]

Don't discount either blade because they need specialist sharpening as a lot of sharpeners do have the equipment required, however it's worth checking first, and with the Matrix Legacy the blades hold their sharpening a lot longer than the standard Legacy blades.

[kateskate]

Don't discount either blade because they need specialist sharpening as a lot of sharpeners do have the equipment required, however it's worth checking first, and with the Matrix Legacy the blades hold their sharpening a lot longer than the standard Legacy blades.

I'm not positive which ones I'm going to get yet.  I need to research them both a little further.  I'll definitely have to check with my pro shop to see if they would be able to sharpen the Matrix Legacy, if I decide I want those.   That's good to know that the Matrix stay sharpened longer...I hate waiting for my blades to be sharpened!!!  I'm tempted to just get another pair of the MK Galaxy since I'm very happy with them.  I just wasn't sure if they would be good enough when I start learning more advanced jumps, like the axel.  Then again, I'm afraid it's going to be quite a while before I'm ready to attempt an axel, lol!    Thanks for your help! 

[kateskate]

If anyone reading this post has MK Galaxy blades, I'd love to know your opinions regarding how long they can be used.  I don't mean as far as how long they can be used before they need replacing due to wear and tear but I mean in terms of how far can you progress in them.  They are classified as beginning freestyle blades but I'm working on loops, half loops, sit spins in them and they seem fine.  Then again, I don't really have any other blade to compare them to.  They could be holding me back and I don't even realize it.  I don't know if I get more advanced blades if it would make some of the more advanced skills a little easier or if I'm ok with the Galaxy.  I ideally would like my new blades to take me all the way through to Freeskate 6 but I don't know if a beginning blade is truly designed to do that.  Any thoughts???    Thank You!