difference between blade length

[peanutskates]

Is there any significant difference between 9 2/3 length blades and 9 1/2 ?

Mathematically, it's only 1/6th but can you switch from one to the other in skating, or would it be too noticeable?

[airyfairy76]

Having just bought new boots that actually fit (my old ones were far too long for me, if the correct width), I have dropped from a 10" freestyle blade to a 9 1/2" dance blade.

In real terms (ie. runner length), with the loss of the tail at the back, my new blade is over an inch and a half shorter than my old one!

And bar having to get used to a more pronounced rocker (which obviously is nothing to do with the length), I have had no problems at all.