SkatingOnClouds
08-28-2006, 10:05 PM
After all my fretting about buying new boots and blades, trying to work out what to buy, things have sorted themselves out and I just had to share it.
Firstly, a change of stocking type suddenly made my Graf Galaxy boots feel as comfy as old slippers (well almost - at least they don't hurt anymore). I was wearing thin knee high stockings, but last week I tried some microfibre ankle socks, and suddenly my boots stopped being too tight. If anything, I now have a little slippage. (A curious side effect is that my laces now feel like they're made of elastic - I keep having to tighten them. If I tighten them too much to begin with, my feet cramp. They are nylon laces that came with my boots, maybe I should try cotton?)
My blades are 20+ year old Phantoms which have had a hard life and have only had one decent sharpening in that life, the last possible one. MK don't make 10 1/3 anymore so I was going to have to change down to 10 1/4, re-plug the holes and start again. New Phantoms cost $700 AUD 8O . A lot of money but I've skated in them so long I didn't want to have to get used to something different.
I cannot believe how lucky I was to find a pair of 24 year old 10 1/3 Phantoms size on Ebay. Identical to mine but in better condition, and with sharpenings still left in them, for $135 AUD including postage.
Even though they are still moderately sharp I will get them sharpened before fitting them, because I have to send them away. This way I can skate on the old blades and not miss any sessions.
Now, if only my skating could sort itself out so neatly....
Firstly, a change of stocking type suddenly made my Graf Galaxy boots feel as comfy as old slippers (well almost - at least they don't hurt anymore). I was wearing thin knee high stockings, but last week I tried some microfibre ankle socks, and suddenly my boots stopped being too tight. If anything, I now have a little slippage. (A curious side effect is that my laces now feel like they're made of elastic - I keep having to tighten them. If I tighten them too much to begin with, my feet cramp. They are nylon laces that came with my boots, maybe I should try cotton?)
My blades are 20+ year old Phantoms which have had a hard life and have only had one decent sharpening in that life, the last possible one. MK don't make 10 1/3 anymore so I was going to have to change down to 10 1/4, re-plug the holes and start again. New Phantoms cost $700 AUD 8O . A lot of money but I've skated in them so long I didn't want to have to get used to something different.
I cannot believe how lucky I was to find a pair of 24 year old 10 1/3 Phantoms size on Ebay. Identical to mine but in better condition, and with sharpenings still left in them, for $135 AUD including postage.
Even though they are still moderately sharp I will get them sharpened before fitting them, because I have to send them away. This way I can skate on the old blades and not miss any sessions.
Now, if only my skating could sort itself out so neatly....