I didn't want to get off topic on the other thread, but I have a question on Klingbeils. Has anyone here ever ordered them without actually going to a fitting?

I am in China and obviously won't be able to physically go there. I got my current Grafs long distance, with the foot tracings etc (and I know Klingbeils does this too, if only they would reply to my emails!!) and they are great and I am thinking about a change. I have a fairly standard foot, haven't had any trouble with my Grafs at all, though I wouldn't be able to heat mould them this time.

After reading the other thread though I don't know if I can go from a really light Graf (I have Edmonton Specials) to a heavier skate. But, I was just wondering if anyone else has ordered from Klingbeils long distance and what their experience was.

200 miles (from NYC) isn't exactly long distance, but I bought all 3 pairs of Klingbeils I've had by being measured by my local trustworthy skate shop using the form and directions supplied by Klingbeil (now available on their web site as a PDF file).

All 3 pairs turned out fine... of course I've also bought every pair of skates I've ever owned from the same skate shop, and had almost every sharpening ever done (except for 3 or 4 over 20 years) done by the same couple of guys.

I ordered mine long distance and they turned out great. It would be important to find someone who can do the tracing for you and to take accurate measurments. I had my ballet teacher do mine.

I did send my skates back once for a minor adjustment after speaking with Don over the phone. He understood exactly what I needed to have done and I haven't had a problem since.

Thanks for your replies.

Vicki, what did you do for skates while yours were being adjusted? I skate every day so can't really afford to be without skates for long. I could wear my oldies for a week but I doubt my longer and postage time is a minimum of 10 days for standard post or else it costs a fortune.

My coaches have said they could do the tracings for me, never thought of asking my ballet teacher but I am sure she would too!

I am more worried about if there are problems what I could do since postage takes so long and costs a lot. Are adjustments free? And can I get a blade attached at the same time?

angelskates,
Klingbeil makes any (or as many) adjustments you need for free for the life of the boots. The only catch is that you have to pay for the shipping. I've discovered that FedEx next day service plus $800 worth of insurance runs me $35 one way. I pay to have them shipped there, then include a check for $35 with them, and Klingbeil takes care of mailing them back. I've had 3 sets of adjustments so far -- not necessarily because Klingbeil didn't fit me properly. I've had some physical issues that have affected the musculature in my right leg and foot. It changes over time, so I periodically need to get them slightly ajusted. Klingbeil's customer service is fabulous. These boots are the closest I've ever come to boots that fit perfectly. (Because of my freaky back & muscle problems, I'll probably never have boots that fit perfectly.)

Skaternum,

Ouch on the shipping. I am hoping mine will be perfect the first time, since it will cost me an absolute fortune from China.

Is there anywhere that I can see the colour choices?? I am going with traditional white (coaches orders, plus I like traditional), but my best friend is thinking of getting me another pair of coloured (what a best friend huh?) for my birthday.... Also, I don't know what the different sole colourings look like! I don't think I had a choice with Graf.

Graf have been pretty good for me, but I have a weak left side so it's a bit of a problem, I need one boot a bit stronger. I would recommend Graf without hesitation, but they don't have customs.

Can you pay for Klingbeils by MasterCard? I can't do cheques. I emailed them and got an automated reply that they will be back Monday. It's Tuesday so I don't know if that means next Monday, but probably.

How long does it usually take from order to receiving?

Just curious--is there a reason you're switching from Grafs? If they've been good to you & you're a happy customer, why take the chance on switching? A very expensive experiment!

I'm a very satisfied Klingbeil customer, on my second pair of customs (both ordered long distance, btw), but I'm also a firm believer in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" school. Just my 2¢.

** your Klingbeils will be much heavier than your Grafs, I'm sure you're aware! I've never minded it, but Klingbeils do have a reputation for being a very heavy boot, and Grafs for being very light. **

When I ordered my Klingbeils, I did tracings, measurements, Polaroid photos, and foot impressions in foam. They make the bottom contour to this. I think it was the foot impressions that made the best difference in my Klingbeils being so awesome.

My fitter said they were on vacation right now. He didn't say when they'd be returning.

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"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

When I sent my skates back to Klingbeil for adjustments, I think my coach was out of town for a couple of weeks and I decided to use that for a break. I think I shipped them UPS 2nd day to get them there but don't remember how they sent them back.

Shipping from China would complicate matters! Good luck. I think you'll be happy with your skates and with the service you receive.

backspin, I have a weak left side due to two strokes I had when I was 18 and 21. My physio and coaches over here think a stronger boot for my left foot might help things. We never really thought of this option before, mainly because it's not very obvious. No-one would know by looking at me that my left side is weaker (especially since I skate CCW), but I have almost no reflexes at all and a lot less strength.

My Grafs have been pretty good, they are light and it is something that concerns me about Klingbeils, but Grafs don't make customs. Another option we're thinking about is getting Grafs with the left boot double strength, but my Grafs also haven't lasted that long and although I'm skating every day, I'm only doing singles (and have no immediate plans to go any further). My Grafs are breaking down subtlely, I need to re-lace them every half hour, but they are comfortable and break in time was non-existent (both of which I heard also apply to Klingbeils).

Do they send the foam to me once I place my order?

Thanks for all your help.

I had a pair of Klingbeils, and the seam on the heel totally ripped so I couldn't land my jumps. I had bad luck with both pairs of Klingbeils I had.

I switched to Graf Edmontons, and I love them! They broke in perfectly in three days. I was doing all my jumps the same week I got them.

I switched from Grafs to Klingbeils a couple of years ago. When I brought my Grafs to Klingbeil so they could remove the blades and put them on the new boots, they weighed both boots in front of me. The Grafs were only one ounce lighter. Hardly enough to make a difference IMO.

Lwalsh

Just a quick update. I have had pretty poor service from Klingbeils via email (I am dealing with someone called Janice?) but am hoping for the best. I haven't actually completed an order yet, though I think I'm close, have just asked how to get my MasterCard details to them...don't like to email that kind of stuff. I really want to hurry the process up.

BIG disadvantage of Klingbeils is they don't sell blades. I want new blades mounted so they come ready for the ice. I don''t trust anyone well enough here to give them my skates and all the other skates and coaches I have spoken to have left mainland China when they needed blades mounted, this is not an option for me.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? Is there anyone close who would be able to purchase me blades and take them in? I would pay for the trouble (and, ofcourse the blades and transport!)

How will you know if the blades are mounted correctly for your foot if you have them pre-mounted sight-unseen?

jenlyon60, I have always had blades pre-mounted without hassles, on Riedells and Grafs. I think I may have had them pre-mounted on my short-lived SP Teris ions ago. I don't know why, but it has never been a problem. I know some people who hate pre-mounting and have had major issues, but I am yet to have even one.

I had my Grafs pre-mounted long distance as well and they were/are great, but the boot is starting to break down. I have been told that I have extremely "normal" feet, which may have something to do with it. The only blade hassle I have ever had was when the sole wasn't waterproofed first, it started to rot and one of the screws rusted causing the blade to move.

You can buy your blades from the pro shop at the Cantiague (Long Island, NY) pro shop and they will ship them to Klingbeil. They charge actual shipping (about $4 UPS), and have the most incredibly low prices. You can reach them via email at MIGOLD22@AOL.COM (Mike). I have bought Gold Seals from them for $335 and Coronation Aces for $145.

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angelskates - I pm'd you some info.

__________________
"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

thanks so much for your replies. I'll get in touch with Mike once Klingbeil tell me the blade size I need. Hurray for the internet!

I bought my Gold Seals from Mike. Great price and he's very nice to deal with, too. I just wish that I had let Klingbeil mount the blades instead of Mike. Water under the bridge.

BTW, can blades be sharpened before they're put on the boots? If not, you'll have to get them sharpened after they're mounted.

I will most probably somehow buy my blades from Mike and then get him to send them to Klingbeil to mount. My blades have always been sharpened when they have arrived, and sent with guards. 100% ready for the ice. But then I got them at the same place as my boots....

I don't know if they can be sharpened before be mounted though, but I don't see why not...good thing to ask though. There's no way I would let anyone at either of my rinks here anywhere near my blades to sharpen them.

Yes, blades can be sharpened before they are on the boot. I just ordered a pair of blades for a friend of mine who lives in Saskatoon (I ordered them in Calgary for her because she saves on PST) and they sharpened the blades before I took them to Saskatoon for her.

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~No thinking, breathing, or hesitation!~

Now more questions.....

There are so many options with the boots that are not fully explained, so what features do you have, why and do you like them?? Especially would appreciate info on the tongue types.

My options a-plenty are as follows:

Type of boot: freestyle, synchro, dance (a given, I am having freestyle)

Colour: black, white, beige, suede (I am having white)

Strength: not too strong, strong, very strong

Tongue: grey rubber only, half and half, wool, reinforced, grey rubber/ black centre, grey rubber wool centre

Lining: smooth, suede (I *think* my Grafs are suede, but not too sure.....)

Add on: lunge pads R L, notch, cut down back

Sole: finished. unfinished, black (what is finished and unfinished????)

Heel height: standard, special height

Ankle padding: heavy, normal, heel lock (what is heel lock????)

Any advice, explanations etc would be appreciated, I wish Klingbeil had more info on their website!!

Strength: not too strong, strong, very strong

I am working on doubles, skate 6hrs/wk. I got strong, had my boots rebuilt after about 1.5 yrs. Breakin time was about 3weeks the first time and 1.5 after the rebuild which will probably last me another 6mo.

[/b]Tongue: grey rubber only, half and half, wool, reinforced, grey rubber/ black centre, grey rubber wool centre[/b]

I had wool on my first customs, then rubber sponge on the second, and went back to wool for Klingbeils. I *love* the wool, it's much more forgiving than the rubber and simply feels better. Not sure what half and half or reinforced means.

Lining: smooth, suede (I *think* my Grafs are suede, but not too sure.....)

I have suede lining. It's nice, kind of grips your foot better. I didn't have any problems with rubbing or blisters, but if you have in the past you might consider smooth.

Add on: lunge pads R L, notch, cut down back

I didn't have any of these. Lunge pads are for synchro, cutdown backs are for dancers. Notch is a little cut in the laces at the ankle for easier bending.

Sole: finished. unfinished, black (what is finished and unfinished????)

It means they put a clear sealant like Sno Seal on it so water doesn't get in and rot the leather. I'd have them finish the sole. Black is for guys skates.

Heel height: standard, special height

Special height is only if you've got some preexisting needs, like you're a dancer or your skates before always had more heel height like mine.

Ankle padding: heavy, normal, heel lock (what is heel lock????)

I don't remember choosing ankle padding so I must've gotten normal. If your heel slips in your skates (mine doesn't), heel lock is probably something to help that - likely a special way of arranging the padding in the heel area.

versperholly - thanks!

why would anyone ever get unfinished soles?

The tongue is the one I am most confused about - I heard from many people that the wool "flattens" rather quickly making it not so comfie, though it sure looks comfie to start with!!

I am getting suede lining too. Unsure about heel lock, my heel is beginning to slip in my Grafs, but I think it's only because they get loose so quickly because they are breaking down.

Does it cost more for the boots to be rebuilt? What does this process involve?