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Eclipse Crescent blades are much thinner than Mark IV's -- advice?

Started by neige, June 23, 2013, 02:11:51 PM

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neige

Hello all -- I ordered a pair of Eclipse Crescent blades based on some info on Kinzie's Closet that the lower stanchion height of that blade is good for beginners and aids balance.   This blade is described by Riedell as  entry-level , and  'for the discriminating instructional skater'... etc., etc.   It is the lowest level except for the Astra which comes on some boots, and the Crescent is recommended in several charts I saw for beginners as well. 

When I look at the blade compared to a Mark IV and an MK21, both about 4mm wide, that I have here, it is substantially thinner -- closer to 3mm, it looks like, which is more what I understood dance blades to be like.    Would this be  a problem for a blade for a beginner just doing crossovers and 3-turns and mohawks, in terms of balance or anything else?  Or an advantage in some way?   Thanks for any input! 

amy1984

Put it out of your mind and you likely won't notice it.  If you DO notice it, it's probably because you were a keener and noticed the difference while giving the blades a once over :P  If the change is noticeable, as with any blade, you'll adjust and after a couple weeks of skating, you should be just fine on them.  If you hate them, Eclipse has a money back guarantee - I think it's 60 days.

As for the advantages/disadvantages, I'm not really sure.  I'm sure all of the manufacturers have reasons for thinking their set up is best.  I'm no expert, but I'd imagine it's easier to turn?  But that's just a guess.

I switched to eclipse blades and love them, though I have the Mist.  Hope you enjoy them!

supra

One thing you might want to mess with is your radius. It'll probably be different on a thinner blade, either shallower or deeper.

neige

Thanks, these are all good points..  hopefully our local sharpener will have some advice on the radius --he's very good.

FigureSpins

Eclipse blades don't come with a factory sharpening, according to the rep/specs.  Definitely get them sharpened with an appropriate ROH for a beginning skater.  (Your skate tech can recommend the ROH, usually a shallow one: 7/16" or 5/8" for a beginner.)

I don't think you'll notice the width difference, but the blades will be lighter.  Turns may be a hair easier if you already know how to do them.  Those are good things!

Back in the day, many people swore that double-runners were necessary for beginning skating because newbies needed the width.
In actuality, it prevented skaters from being able to turn because they couldn't lean on the edges.  That's why figure skate blades are narrow in the first place.

You'll be fine on these blades, but do get them sharpened.
"If you still look good after skating practice, you didn't work hard enough."

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