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  #1  
Old 04-01-2007, 03:23 AM
SkatingOnClouds SkatingOnClouds is offline
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Jackson Proflex & Matrix blades - I want some!

I had considered the Jackson Proflex hinged boot months ago, until my Graf Galaxys finally settled down. My coach has bought the Proflex with the Matrix blade system, and I want some!

I could see some amazing differences in her spreadeagles and Ina Bauers. She wasn't jumping much as she is still positioning the blades. Her sit spin was so low, she couldn't have gotten lower. And she reckoned they were very comfortable straight away.

I love the enormous, vicious looking top toe-pick on the Matrix blades.
Call me weird, but I like big toe-picks, even though I am not at a standard to require them.

What made me think the Proflex boot would be good for me was when she showed me that if she got her weight too far forward (one of my most obvious and most common faults ) she immediately went up on her toe-pick. She had to keep her weight back or it just didn't work.

Ah well, time to start liquidating unwanted stuff via Ebay, and saving the dollars. It'll be a while before I can afford such luxuries.
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  #2  
Old 04-01-2007, 12:37 PM
Sessy Sessy is offline
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but then, something long-awaited feels much better than an instant gratification, doesn't it?
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  #3  
Old 04-01-2007, 09:08 PM
masterskater masterskater is offline
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Matrix blades

I currently skate in Matrix blades. I really noticed the difference in the weight of the blade instantly. Felt much lighter. No difference in the edging and balance points over The Jackson Freestyle blades. Really good if your foot has stopped growing since you only have to buy runner (blades) and not replace the chassis. (Blade Holder) when you need replacements. I also carry an extra set of runners in case of emergency. That way I don't need to take the blade off the boot, just change runners (blades). I skate in Masters Mens FS doing all double and some triple jumps. Well worth the price and I highly reccomend them. Burton Powley
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Old 04-01-2007, 10:27 PM
Clarice Clarice is offline
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Burton, where do you have them sharpened? I skate in your area - my daughter is on Paramount blades, which are also lightweight aluminum. Just wondering what the sharpening options are.
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  #5  
Old 04-02-2007, 08:38 AM
Team Arthritis Team Arthritis is offline
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I use both.
The Proflex boot is great, really helps with footwork and knee bend and toejumps. Edge jumps are VERY DIFFERENT and will take some re-learning. Coolest thing is reaching down and tightening your boots in 1/2 a second as you warm up Biggest complaint is that they come with an inner sole that is worthless as it has NO arch support - throw it away and buy a good one!

Matrix Blades are wonderful if you love sharp blades, Definitely buy a second set of runners to change out (only $100!). When they are sharpened - warn the guy that he must press lightly as they do not make any sparks! Biggest complaint is that I keep on stripping out and crushing the runner screws. Had to drill out a screw again last weekend as the hexholes keep stripping. The shaft of the screws also compresses as you use them until the blade goes clickety clickety as you walk in them and demand new ones. Who ever thought up aluminusm screws for steel blades, sheesh.
Lyle
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:52 AM
Virtualsk8r Virtualsk8r is offline
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Can you replace the aluminium screws that come with the blade, -- with standard blade screws to solve that strippig problem? I am very interested in the Matrix blades but have been waiting until a Gold Seal imitation is released (supposed to be out last spring - but nowhere in sight yet).

Any other problems with these blades that you know of?
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  #7  
Old 04-02-2007, 09:46 AM
Team Arthritis Team Arthritis is offline
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sorry I was unlcear, the mounting screws are fine, the screws that hold the runner to the chassis get lots of stress because you are landing each jump etc and putting shear stress across the shaft. The screws have a female sleeve that takes the force that is static and a male hex that goes inside of it. THe female sleeve gets compressed and binds the male inner screw and then the hex slot strips when you try to remove it. Whats really funny is that these screws come with a tube of loctight - definetely not needeed if you check them every few weeks. They send you new screw sets for free. Also - these blades really hold their sharpening better than any other blade I've previously tried (Majestic, Coronation Ace, regular Ultima protege)
Lyle
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  #8  
Old 04-03-2007, 04:19 AM
SkatingOnClouds SkatingOnClouds is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Arthritis;316182- these blades [B
really[/B] hold their sharpening better than any other blade I've previously tried (Majestic, Coronation Ace, regular Ultima protege)
Lyle
Wow, I could do with that then. My blades seem to blunt very quickly, and I do like them sharp.
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  #9  
Old 04-03-2007, 11:38 PM
masterskater masterskater is offline
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stripping screws

Jackson has improved the hex screws that hold the blades into the runners. Just ask your local Jackson rep to replace them for free. Once they are stripped they are practically impossible to remove without drilling them out. They also provide cushions to eliminate the irritating clicking sound although it doesn't affect the performance of the blade it sounds weird. They do hold a sharpening very long. And are very light as I mentioned before. Burton
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  #10  
Old 04-04-2007, 09:00 AM
WJLServo WJLServo is offline
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Well, shoot; just checked Jackson WebSite, to have a look at Matrix blade specs. Top out at 11.5", just .25" short of the "clodhopper" size I wear. Already had to "pass" on Paramount blades for the same reason. (That & the high price, I guess...)
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  #11  
Old 04-04-2007, 11:00 AM
Team Arthritis Team Arthritis is offline
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Thanks For the INfo MasterSkater!

WJLServo - don't give up without a phone call you never know what they have stuck away in the back room!
Lyle
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  #12  
Old 04-05-2007, 09:13 AM
Mrs Redboots Mrs Redboots is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WJLServo View Post
Well, shoot; just checked Jackson WebSite, to have a look at Matrix blade specs. Top out at 11.5", just .25" short of the "clodhopper" size I wear. Already had to "pass" on Paramount blades for the same reason. (That & the high price, I guess...)
Would .25" actually matter too much, Mr Engineer? Usually, there's a certain amount of "give and take" in blade sizes, and it's possible you could get away with 1/4" shorter than normal, with careful mounting.

The Matrix blades are the ones that screw into a holder, yes? The current UK Men's champion, John Hamer, is wearing them this season, and apparently loves them.
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  #13  
Old 04-05-2007, 06:19 PM
WJLServo WJLServo is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs Redboots View Post
Would .25" actually matter too much, Mr Engineer? Usually, there's a certain amount of "give and take" in blade sizes, and it's possible you could get away with 1/4" shorter than normal, with careful mounting.

The Matrix blades are the ones that screw into a holder, yes? The current UK Men's champion, John Hamer, is wearing them this season, and apparently loves them.
Might be able to go with shorter blade, although, when I asked fitter at Pro Shop about Paramount blades, he was reluctant to go with the shorter blades, so, ended up getting conventional (Coronation Ace) blades instead....

I liked the Paramount blades both for their light weight (blade holder is aluminum as opposed to steel) and for their looks. Paramount offers blade holders with various colors of anodization, iincluding pale blue and pink. Think I would settle for black!

The Matrix blades do have removeable runners, which seems like quite a nice idea. My old Graf hockey skates are fitted with the Graf NT-3000 blades, which also have removeable runners, and are quite easy (and fairly cheap) to remove and replace when they wear down too much to be sharpened any more. Last time I had hockey blades replaced, cost all of $50 US. Way less than I would pay to replace the relatively cheap Wilson blades I wear on my figure skates!
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