Changing Blades: MK Pro to Ultimate Legacy or Elite

[Ivana27]

While at the PSA Conference I put in an order for new boots and blades. I stayed with Jackson boots since that's what I've had for the past 9 years and I'm comfortable with this brand.

In the past 9 years I have also had MK Professional blades. However, at the conference Jackson/Ultima was offering 50% discounts. So I decided to give Ultima blades a try since I could get them at such a good price.

I have put in an order for Ultima Elite blades. But I haven't paid for them yet, so I can still change my mind.

Anyone have any experience with Ultima Legacy or Elite compared to MK Pro?

Currently I am landing all singles through lutz. Still working on getting the lutz consistent and then I guess I will eventually move on to the axel and some doubles. My spins aren't that great. I'm working on forward & backward scratch, camel and sit. The only consistent spin I have is forward scratch and camel is close.

My biggest concern is spinning. I have heard that the 8' rocker is harder to spin on. If I switch from MK Pro to Ultima, I will be switching from a 7' to 8' rocker. What has been your experience with this type of change??

I appreciate all the insight I can get.

[mintypoppet]

I'm about the same level as you and have just switched from some pretty flat old MK Pros to Ultima Lite. Two months later, I honestly can't tell the difference.

I say that, because for the first month I was skating on a 5/16 hollow, when I am used to 7/16. All of my spins and twizzles vanished. As soon as the grind was corrected though, they came back immediately. Had I been on a 7/16 grind straight away, I suspect there would still have been an adjustment period, but much shorter.

[singerskates]

While at the PSA Conference I put in an order for new boots and blades. I stayed with Jackson boots since that's what I've had for the past 9 years and I'm comfortable with this brand.

In the past 9 years I have also had MK Professional blades. However, at the conference Jackson/Ultima was offering 50% discounts. So I decided to give Ultima blades a try since I could get them at such a good price.

I have put in an order for Ultima Elite blades. But I haven't paid for them yet, so I can still change my mind.

Anyone have any experience with Ultima Legacy or Elite compared to MK Pro?

Currently I am landing all singles through lutz. Still working on getting the lutz consistent and then I guess I will eventually move on to the axel and some doubles. My spins aren't that great. I'm working on forward & backward scratch, camel and sit. The only consistent spin I have is forward scratch and camel is close.

My biggest concern is spinning. I have heard that the 8' rocker is harder to spin on. If I switch from MK Pro to Ultima, I will be switching from a 7' to 8' rocker. What has been your experience with this type of change??

I appreciate all the insight I can get.

I started out with MK V's on my first pair of skates, Jackson Competitor, which came with the boots. Skated with them for 3 months and then changed to John Wilson's Corination Comet which is longer than the Pattern 99 to which I changed when I bought my Graf Edmonton Specials. When I bought a pair of Gams (wish I didn't), I tried the Ultima Legacy which for me were too rocky. Then I switch to the Ultima Elites when I heard that they were like my old John Wilson Pattern 99's but more affordable. They also have much more blade for sharpening life. I've changed the boots to Jackson Elite Plus but not the blades which are still Ultima Elite.

[SkatEn]

I have Legacy and it is great for me.

I switched from MK21 to Legacy, which is somewhat the same as Pro. The thing is, I realise that my blades won't rust as easily as my friend's MK/JW blades! Maybe it's the metal or something.

One thing to note, Ultima's blades have the tendency to have the chrome peel off. Heard it in forums, and happened to one of my blades. It's just a small part and doesn't affect anything. Just doesn't look nice up close.

I switched from 7 ft MK21 to 8ft Legacy. One noticeable change is the great speed I can get. For spins, I don't know if this applies to you. I got my spins pretty quickly. The centering came in a few sessions. But when I just switched, I was working on 2foot spin, so I don't know where's the comparison!

I say go for the cheaper one. Depending on your budget, legacy or elite will both do fine.

[katz in boots]

I'm in Ultima Freestyles. I miss my 7' rocker on my old Phantoms. It has really thrown my jump take-offs out of timing. If I had the money, I'd be back in Phantoms.

I think it's one person's pleasure being another's poison.