Hey Puckmugger - Can I put toe lifts in my skates?
Nov 12 '07
The Bottom Line There are a lot of things that you can do to make a skate work and yes toe lifts are a possibility.
Hey Puckmugger,
I bought the Salming F1 skates last year based on your review. I have one of those feet that are as wide as they are long, so the wide toe box was a blessing. FWIW, I also bought some sticks and blades from Salming, and I couldn't be more pleased.
My question is about the T-blades and the forward cant of the skates. I just read your last review on Epionions about the T-blades, and I agree with every comment. They take a while to get used to, but the are much smoother and much sharper than my regular skates. However, you stated that the F1s have a pronounced REAR pitch where I feel they are much too forward.
I'm an old fart who normally plays defense, and I find myself constantly wobbling on my F1s, even after skating on them for a few weeks. I measured the pitch using painfully accurate scientific instruments (a T-square), and found the F1s deviate almost 1/8 in. more from heel to toe than my Tuuks.
Is it possible to put a lift in the toe of the skate? I really love the way the Salming boots fit my square feets, but I need to do something with the balance point. Thanks!
Ken
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Ken,
I'm glad that you've been enjoying the Salming gear (especially since you bought it based on my reviews).
Bauer's TUUK has the most heel oriented pitch of any holder on the market. I've had players put heel lifts in them and take some of the steel off the toe (a toe drop) to get the proper skating position. If you liked the pitch of your Bauer skates, then I can see why you would consider putting in a toe lift and yes it is possible (although I've never heard of anyone doing it). However, before you do something that drastic (and original) there is another option that you should explore.
The standard rocker on the F1 is the Medium t'blade. This equates to an 11-foot rocker. Bauer's TUUK is 9-feet. This might be the source of your frustration as easily as the pitch of the skates. Perhaps you've already experimented with this, I don't know. However, if you haven't I would certainly recommend that you give a pair of Short rocker t'blades a try before putting in a pair of toe lifts. It’s a $15 - $20 fix and it’s pretty easy for you to do yourself. If that doesn't help, lifts are reversible and 1/8" is a typical size.
The other possibility is putting a pair of TUUK holders on your Salming skates. I actually considered this before I ended up buying a pair of Bauer skates myself (which I promptly put heel lifts in). If the TUUKs from your old skates are in decent shape, you could probably have them installed for about $25 to $30. If you need a new pair, it will be in the $100 ballpark at most shops.
I hope that helps you out and best of luck with the square feets!
Scott
© 2007 Scott Noble – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
You might also enjoy my book on hockey, Hockey for Weekend Warriors. Click here to read the reviews.
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