Graf Hockey Skates
rpa...@my-deja.com
Graf's, and find them to fit my foot very well. However, I have 3
questions:
1) The top eyelet is noticeably lower than on most skates. As a result,
my ankles "roll" easier. Is this good (an increase in mobility) or bad
(a decrease in ankle support). Perhaps this depends upon my skating
ability. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
2) Graf makes several different models. How do I determine which model
is most appropriate for me? (Note: the 700 series are all priced about
the same, so it doesn't appear that one is especially better than the
other).
3)The prices I have seen for the 700 series are all about $350 (US).
Does anyone know of these skates being available at a greater discount?
I will appreciate any information I can get on these skates. (I have
already been to the Graf Canada website.)
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Cam Penner
> I am looking to purchase a new pair of skates. I have tried on some
> Graf's, and find them to fit my foot very well. However, I have 3
> questions:
>
> 1) The top eyelet is noticeably lower than on most skates. As a result,
> my ankles "roll" easier. Is this good (an increase in mobility) or bad
> (a decrease in ankle support). Perhaps this depends upon my skating
> ability. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
Generally, as your skating improves, you want MORE ankle mobility.
"Rolling" your ankle improves your turning ability, and your ability to
make tighter turns more consistently. I've been accomplishing this with
my Bauers by slowly, over time, loosening the top vew laces. If you
have weak wobbly ankles, you'll need more support at the top until you
can strengthen them. A short term solution with the Grafs might be to
tighten the top with sock tape until you don't need it anymore.
>
> 2) Graf makes several different models. How do I determine which model
> is most appropriate for me? (Note: the 700 series are all priced about
> the same, so it doesn't appear that one is especially better than the
> other).
I don't know a bunch about Grafs, but the most important thing is fit.
Get the pair that fits YOUR feet the best. I don't know what the other
differences might be. Perhaps they have different angles in the ankle
(aimed at forwards vs. defencement) or different thickness of leather
for protection?
> 3)The prices I have seen for the 700 series are all about $350 (US).
> Does anyone know of these skates being available at a greater discount?
Ouch. I suppose you checked www.cyclonetaylor.com? Theirs are similar
in price, but offer free shipping. They have a tiny little writeup on
each model with some of the differences.
Perhaps if you told us where you were located someone could point you to
something local.
---
Cam
#4
brian clark
> I am looking to purchase a new pair of skates. I have tried on some
> Graf's, and find them to fit my foot very well. However, I have 3
> questions:
>
> 1) The top eyelet is noticeably lower than on most skates. As a result,
> my ankles "roll" easier. Is this good (an increase in mobility) or bad
> (a decrease in ankle support). Perhaps this depends upon my skating
> ability. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
I work at a store (Hockey Unlimited) on the south side of Chicago that has
sold Graf skates for many years.The skates a in my opinion are the best
designed skate on the market. The pitch on the boot and the way the fit most
people is unmatched. As far as the lower boot they are designed that way to
improve forward flex while still securing the foot in the boot. Most players
in Bauer and other skates end up leaving the top eyelet of their skates
undone to accomplish the same thing. As far as the support to keep the ankle
straight that is point that most people are misinformed. The ankle joint is
a lever, the only way it can move is forward and backward. The pitch and
roll of the foot is controlled by the subtyler (sp?) joint, located between
the ankle and the heel. Move your foot around and think about it and you
will notice it. The stiffness of the boot in that region is what will keep
foot supported and straight.
> 2) Graf makes several different models. How do I determine which model
> is most appropriate for me? (Note: the 700 series are all priced about
> the same, so it doesn't appear that one is especially better than the
> other).
All of the models are designed differently to give each person the choice of
what they like. Each model has different strong points like weight or flex
and so on. In the 700 series you have five skates 703, 704, 705, 707, 709.
703-- lightest skate in the 700 series
traditional Graf fit low profile
has the most forward lean to move you onto the front half
of the blade
wider fit than the 704
704-- same design as the 703
same weight as 703
different sidewall material (allows the skate to pull in
around narrower foot)
skate fits narrower than 703
705-- different design than other Graf skates
skate is built to be stiffer throughout
skate is slightly heavier than 703 & 704
skate fits slightly wider in the heal
707-- unique skate design x-factor ankle
X-factor allows much more forward flex than any other
skate on the market
weight of the skate in between the 703 and the 705
even though the skate allows you to move forward it still
supports the foot very well
skate fits wider overall and has a more open feel in the
heel
709-- similar to the 705
has a special removable insert in the back of the boot
that allows you to change the stiffness
of the top half of the boot
weight of the skate is similar to the 705
> 3)The prices I have seen for the 700 series are all about $350 (US).
> Does anyone know of these skates being available at a greater discount?
I have been told we have pretty good pricing on the Graf's
703--349.99
704--339.99
705--349.99
707--399.99
709--399.99
rpa...@my-deja.com
particular interest. That is kind of what I had thought, but I was glad
to have it confirmed by someone with more knowledge and experience than
myself. I will probably take the plunge, and spend the $350 on the
Grafs. They should last me a long time, so I can rationalize it that
way.
As for a shop, I am aware of Cyclone Taylor. I have purchased gear from
them in the past. Will probably buy locally, from Rupp's in Pittsburgh.
They carry the Graf's. They just couldn't give me all the details I
was looking for. (I am an engineer, so I guess I get pretty analytical
and technical when buying equipment. Especially something as important
as skates.)
Thanks again.
rpa...@my-deja.com
Thank you for all of the great information. I really appreciated your
answer to my first question about the ankle support.
It sounds like the Graf's are the way to go for me. I will have to try
on the various models to see which offers the best fit.
It is good to see that there are guys out there selling this stuff that
really understand it. If I lived in Chicagoland I would definitely pay
you a visit. What is the name of your shop, and where are you located?
I usually make it to Chicago once or twice a year.
Thanks again!
Rick #12
brian clark
The address is
Hockey Unlimited
5430 w. 127th st.
Alsip IL.60803
Phone # (708) 385-3090
ROCKRAT1
site for a breakdown on what the manufacturer considers the selling points of
each model of skate. You can see all of the info at
http://www.grafcanada.com/index3.html
Rob M
I switched a year and a half ago to the Graf 703's and am still extremely
happy with them. I'd worn Bauer for close to 20 years. The fit and
performance of the Graf boots are incredible. I'm hooked.
Make sure you get them heat molded to your feet. Zero..........and I mean
zero break in with these skates. They've felt like comfortable slippers
from day one.
<rpa...@my-deja.com> wrote in message news:8hli1h$tjd$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I am looking to purchase a new pair of skates. I have tried on some
> Graf's, and find them to fit my foot very well. However, I have 3
> questions:
>
> 1) The top eyelet is noticeably lower than on most skates. As a result,
> my ankles "roll" easier. Is this good (an increase in mobility) or bad
> (a decrease in ankle support). Perhaps this depends upon my skating
> ability. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.
>
> 2) Graf makes several different models. How do I determine which model
> is most appropriate for me? (Note: the 700 series are all priced about
> the same, so it doesn't appear that one is especially better than the
> other).
>
> 3)The prices I have seen for the 700 series are all about $350 (US).
> Does anyone know of these skates being available at a greater discount?
>
> I will appreciate any information I can get on these skates. (I have
> already been to the Graf Canada website.)
>
>
>
David Capps
happy with them, so much so that I have converted several people into
using graf's who are also very happy with them.
I am using the 709's Varioflex, I found that the ability to change the
stiffness of the boot helped when it was a new boot as I could use a
medium stiffness and once I had got used to the skate and it was bedded
in a bit I switched to a 'C' Flex
They are also the only boot that I have ever had that allowed me to
skate normally from the first time I wore them.
The only criticism is that the footbeds wear out quickly and I cannot
find a supplier in the UK that stores these If anyone knows of someone
in the US that does mail order that stores these I would be grateful if
they could pass on their details. Or indeed anyone in the UK that keeps
these.
In article <8hli1h$tjd$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
ra...@icelevelsports.com
skate on the market. I have a pair of 707, 705 Techno and yes the Graf goaler
as well, Ive been playing hockey for over 25 years, I started at age 7. We
sell a majority of Graf skates versus the other manufacturers top brands. As
everyone has diffrent feet and skating styles, its best to try them all on. I
have also found a foot bed that works great in any skate, Its a Superfeet foot
bed that has a Hard plastic piece underneath the foot bed. It offers you
great arch support and keeps your foot in a "nuetral" position. Meaning not
pronating or sub-pronating, thus giving you better energy transfer from foot
to blade.
Razor.
www.icelevelsports.com
ra...@icelevelsports.com
Keep your head up and stick down.
In article <8iasol$v39$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, David Capps <david...@iname.com>
wrote: