good graf!
Written: Jan 06 '03
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Pros: pro level skate...
Cons: good luck trying to find it.
The Bottom Line: If you are going for the top of the line, choose a graf skate.
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| madlee's Full Review: Graf Supra 705 Ice Hockey Skate Senior 02 |
Graf is a well respected european skate. It's basic features, are that they are well made and super light. The can also be a good deal if you can find them. Many local hockey shops may carry them in the $360 range, but some may carry them for under $325.
I actually think that the quality of these skates are superior to the more well known brands such as bauer and ccm. Both bauer and ccm cut costs by skimping on the quality by making the tongue a cheaper and thinner felt, or by making the tongue from two pieces sewn together, which quickly starts to unravel. Of course you can tape the tongue back together, but it screws up the lacing.
Possibly the most important thing about skate fitting is the advent of the skate oven, which heats up the skate and allows the user to mold the shape of the skate to match his or her foot. This makes breaking in the skate much easier.
Some of the things I like about the skate:
The graf has better heel padding which fits around your achilles tendon and keeps your heel on the foot bed. My old bauer supreme 5000 were horrible here. I used to get really bad blisters there. The bauer didn't lock your foot into place, so whenever you were on your toes, your heel would lift and rub inside the boot.
After a year of use, my grafs still look pretty good. I do take care of my skates, so there's no rust... I have broken some stitching by the toe box, but I just superglued it.
There are some negative things about the graf. One is the blade of the skate. It's not really ready for skating right out of the box. It needs to be rockered, (like the curve of a rocking chair) there's too much metal on the blade. Perhaps they did this intentionally so that the user can have a custom rocker put on instead of just adopting the company's curve.
So, I think these are the best skates on the market. Unless you play 3 times a week you probably don't need them. Lots of pro players use much more inexpensive skates. If you do buy these, make sure you get the right width, get them heat formed, and get the blades rockered. Then everything will be perfect.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
madlee
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Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 13 members
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