Calling all Graf Users: Graf/CCM Hybrid Help

[SaveByRichter35]

So after these 9035s sitting in my gear closet for several months, I am finally moving forward with getting them broken in.  I haven't baked them yet, just wearing them at my desk at work(I removed the cowling so I am just wearing the boot).  I will get them properly baked sometime soon.  Anyway, holy shit I hope this tongue is moldable too because It is just digging into the top of my foot.  Granted to do have them cranked down pretty tightly, but still.  It is way worse in my right skate than my left.  I even switched to the outside in lacing method and it still hurts.  I'll have to go back and re-read this thread to see if there is anyone else mentioning this pain as well.

[SaveByRichter35]

Wearing them again this morning at work(night shift to day shift quick turn ).  My feet were still sore from last night, it was very painful putting them on again this morning.  Its like the extra padding in the tongue to protect from lace bite is having the opposite effect on my feet.  Its crushing the boney area of the top of my foot.  I hope baking will remedy that.

[SaveByRichter35]

So everything has come full circle with this...project.

The skates that kind of started this craze, my 7500 boots mounted to CCM XSG holders.

 

These have since been converted and relegated to inline skates, which will unfortunately probably rarely ever get used.


And the new skates that took over as my primary ice skate.

 

I’ll work on a proper review later on tonight while I’m at work.  It’s too difficult doing this from my phone at home and my kids are too needy haha. 

[Beez37]

I LOVE this thread. I just put my Bauer 2X Pro (8D) up on Sideline Swap tonight as I’ve been having the same issues with comfort, insoles, lace tightening, hip and knee strain. Going back to my Graf 9035 now, but may try out this cowlingless mod. I’ve been in Graf 750 Goaler Pro, RBK 9K, Bauer One80 LE (another mistake), Graf 9035 and Bauer 2X Pro. Much prefer the Grafs over any other. 

[SaveByRichter35]

I've been loving this setup.  I was pretty nervous about moving over to the stiffer composite boot but I haven't even noticed much to be honest.  My only knock against the CCM holder is there gets to be quite a bit of play with the blade.  Doesn't really affect play but when you walk you can hear it clicking.

[bunnyman666]

1 hour ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

I've been loving this setup.  I was pretty nervous about moving over to the stiffer composite boot but I haven't even noticed much to be honest.  My only knock against the CCM holder is there gets to be quite a bit of play with the blade.  Doesn't really affect play but when you walk you can hear it clicking.

That’s kind of the nature of the beast in these quick release holders. At least you know if the blade popped out of your holder, the holder is likely toast!

[SaveByRichter35]

5 minutes ago, bunnyman666 said:

That’s kind of the nature of the beast in these quick release holders. At least you know if the blade popped out of your holder, the holder is likely toast!

I have faith in the CCM mechanism, I doubt I'll ever see a blade pop off.

[bunnyman666]

1 hour ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

I have faith in the CCM mechanism, I doubt I'll ever see a blade pop off.

Exactly! That’s why I said if the blade flies out, the holder is likely toast! 
 

There are two grades of hardware for these holders. Add-on holders and top of the range use all metal hardware; lower-end skates have some plastic parts. One of my customers has the lower end Tacks skate and some of the retention hardware is plastic. I don’t know if it’s replaceable when it wears out or not. Edit: it is! https://www.icewarehouse.com/CCM_SpeedBlade_XS_Holder_Adjustment_Screw_Kit/descpage-CSHRP.html

Edited December 28, 2021 by bunnyman666

[2padstack]

I currently have my 9035's and holders in with the skate guy to put them together, but I'm a little nervous on the holder size. I'm in an 8.5 Graf, and sizing said it should be a 266 holder. Skate guy thought it looked small, guess we'll see. He also has a lot of staff out with COVID, so hoping they are done for my next ice on the 9th, otherwise stuck with my old Bauer One80's for a bit.

[bunnyman666]

8 minutes ago, 2padstack said:

I currently have my 9035's and holders in with the skate guy to put them together, but I'm a little nervous on the holder size. I'm in an 8.5 Graf, and sizing said it should be a 266 holder. Skate guy thought it looked small, guess we'll see. He also has a lot of staff out with COVID, so hoping they are done for my next ice on the 9th, otherwise stuck with my old Bauer One80's for a bit.

That is up for debate, as some would argue that a shorter runner would help skating agility. CCM definitely took Vaughn’s cowl sizing model. Did your skate guy try the next size up to see how that worked?

[2padstack]

I had bought them online, so I just went by the CCM sizing when I ordered, it turned into a bit of a last minute thing. I had reached out to a retailer to see if they had any insight on sizing but no response, my guess is because no one around here seems to carry Graf they didn't want to answer that question.

[bunnyman666]

28 minutes ago, 2padstack said:

I had bought them online, so I just went by the CCM sizing when I ordered, it turned into a bit of a last minute thing. I had reached out to a retailer to see if they had any insight on sizing but no response, my guess is because no one around here seems to carry Graf they didn't want to answer that question.

Understandable. I have found on these one size fits all holders/cowls that the middle size is optimal. It’s irritating that they do stuff like that. I am lucky that my skate literally was a perfect fit for that size holder, my boot being a 7.5.

[SaveByRichter35]

On 12/28/2021 at 12:51 PM, 2padstack said:

I currently have my 9035's and holders in with the skate guy to put them together, but I'm a little nervous on the holder size. I'm in an 8.5 Graf, and sizing said it should be a 266 holder. Skate guy thought it looked small, guess we'll see. He also has a lot of staff out with COVID, so hoping they are done for my next ice on the 9th, otherwise stuck with my old Bauer One80's for a bit.

This post is a few days old but I am just seeing it.  I have to go back and check the conversation I had with the person in which I bought my holders and steel from but 266 does sound about right.  My 9035 boots are an 8 for reference.

[SaveByRichter35]

@2padstack what ended up happening anyway?  Are the skates done?

[2padstack]

Still in progress, hoping to have them late this week. However, it may not matter when I get them this month- I only play Sunday nights, and my girls hockey is at the same time as my ice all month, and probably part of February too.

Glad the 266 sounded right to you, I held the blades I got up to the Graf blades in the cowling and they were about the same length, so figured it should be good.

[SaveByRichter35]

On 1/3/2022 at 10:00 PM, 2padstack said:

Still in progress, hoping to have them late this week. However, it may not matter when I get them this month- I only play Sunday nights, and my girls hockey is at the same time as my ice all month, and probably part of February too.

Glad the 266 sounded right to you, I held the blades I got up to the Graf blades in the cowling and they were about the same length, so figured it should be good.

Just for confirmation, 266 is definitely the correct size.  I checked the boxes for my holders.

[2padstack]

Awesome, thanks for checking that for me, gives me peace of mind. If I get them Friday I may get to play my regular ice Sunday if my kids team wins Saturday.

[McO]

As seen on TGN instagram account, i joined the group too !

Tried them on for some ODR time this afternoon, very pleased so far !

[SaveByRichter35]

55 minutes ago, McO said:

As seen on TGN instagram account, i joined the group too !

Tried them on for some ODR time this afternoon, very pleased so far !

What steel did you end up with?

[SaveByRichter35]

Also, welcome to the board! @McO

[AdamL]

Anyone know where to source the new True holders? Wondering how they compare in terms of overall height and forward pitch to the CCM holders. Considering going with one of those two on my G9035s to get a little more purchase on the ice in my V9s. The boot is more workable than my old X28s, but it's nowhere near as flat as some others on the market today.

Also, what profile did you all start out with on the CCM runners? Since the Graf runners are shorter, I'm worried I'll have that "stuck in mud" feeling I had with my last CCM skates unless I go with a profile with a smaller radius.  Thanks!

Edited January 12, 2022 by AdamL

[SaveByRichter35]

I have Step fat blades in my CCM holders.  I think I am at a 28' profile and I sharpen at 3/8' ROH.

[2padstack]

Got mine on Saturday, they look pretty good. Not sure when I will get to try them out, my kids hockey schedule from now through to the end of February conflicts with my hockey schedule. I do sometimes gear up for the older ones full ice practices so they have 2 goalies, so maybe in the next couple of weeks I'll at least get to do that to get used to them.

Looks like the holder is a good fit. And felt quite a bit lighter.

[McO]

6 hours ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

What steel did you end up with?

I use the stock ccm speedblade xsg1 black from my supertacks as3 that i stopped using as i started having bauer bumps issues. 

 

I do plan on buying step black in the future though.

[bunnyman666]

Definitely Graf has the best looking boot, aesthetics wise.