Blade lengths?

[Chester]

Wish to pick the collective brains. Have two pairs of skates. Makos in Bauer cowling. Skates and cowling size 7. Next, CCMs in CCM cowling. Now it gets interesting. Size 7 boot but size 6 cowling. 

Now, I’m finding the CCMs harder to move in. As if there is more steel contacting the ice. 

I’ve had Reebok skates in the past with a 7 cowling and they felt like skis so I sold them. 

So, my question is, can I get the CCMs to feel like the Bauer’s? Do I need a radius cut? Or...... what are other possible options. I do like the skates. And I can’t wear the Makos more than an hour or my feet cramp. Yes, Hav superfeet in them. 

Cheers. 

[Puckstopper]

1 minute ago, Chester said:

So, my question is, can I get the CCMs to feel like the Bauer’s? Do I need a radius cut? 

I would reach out to noicingsports and see if he can recommend a combo radius that would have less steel on the ice at any given moment.  It's certainly cheaper than trying to swap cowlings to a size 5 and to be honest I really doubt that would work anyway.   Regardless, having my blades profiled makes a HUGE difference when they're freshly done, and noicing has always treated me well.  

[ThatCarGuy]

Don't CCM skates have less pitch (forgive my aeronautical terms if I'm wrong) than Bauer? For my skates (Graf Supra) I forget what radius I have but I take a stone (not just any stone) and dull the outside edges of my skates, this way I have stability and a much easier shuffle. I also currently have 5/8" for the edge. As Puckstopper said, profiling helps an unbelievable amount. I don't think I could ever use profile-less skates again.

[Chenner29]

Your CCM steel is probably flatter than what you are used to. 

Get a good skate shop to profile them (No Icing as mentioned above does fantastic work). 

7 minutes ago, ThatCarGuy said:

Don't CCM skates have less pitch (forgive my aeronautical terms if I'm wrong) than Bauer? For my skates (Graf Supra) I forget what radius I have but I take a stone (not just any stone) and dull the outside edges of my skates, this way I have stability and a much easier shuffle. I also currently have 5/8" for the edge. As Puckstopper said, profiling helps an unbelievable amount. I don't think I could ever use profile-less skates again.

Pitch = lean forward or back

Radius = amount of steel contacting the ice

Profile = combination of the above two

Radius of hollow = “sharpness” 

Unsolicited advice: you can also ask for an offset cut where your inside edge is a smidge taller than your outside. Saves you the extra labor of hand stoning your steel, and you will probably get more consistent feel. 

[Chester]

Chenner, thanks for the breakdown.

Good advice everyone  

Are there specific offsets to ask for?

[Chenner29]

Pro sharpening guys (not the high school/college kid working at a shop) know stock blade lengths and radii, check with them on CCM vs Bauer.

Another thing to note if your CCMs are new - your sharpener may have inadvertently rounded the steel on your Mako+Bauer cowlings. 
Don't get upset with them, this is normal over the course of a few years.
There is also the chance that your CCMs aren't perfectly flat, and could have a reverse profile (curves out instead of in)
It's possible for your skate guy to find the profile on your Mako+Bauers if they have the right tools.

I used a Reebok cowling and steel off a 9k model (to give you an approximate age) and I believe those were 30', so you might start there, if CCM hasn't changed.

I use a 27' front, 30' back with aggressive forward pitch that I like, but some would find it puts too much of your weight forward.

[Harman]

Can a reebok boot fit the graf cowlings!? Anyone know 

[Chenner29]

6 hours ago, Harman said:

Can a reebok boot fit the graf cowlings!? Anyone know 

Yes but sizing will differ. (ie. a size 8 Reebok boot may not fit a size 8 Graf cowling)

Recommend you take the boot to try on the cowling.