beansbats

The only bruise that I have received in mine is in the same place on the blocker side where I was a little sideways on the shot. FYI.... That looks like the blocker arm to me, I'm full right

I took the Grafs for a half hour test ride on the synthetic ice last night, and they felt great. I have home baked the skates to start on the customized fit. My feet are shoe size 12 (Graf size 11), normal width, and really bony ankles. The one thing I should have done before using the skates was put a deeper hollow on the steel. They arrived with a 7/8" hollow which is way to slidey. My 1S are cut to 1/2" and have a good bite on the plastic. I'll sharpen the Grafs to 1/2" before I try them again. Round Toe Cap - I did not notice ant difference in how the pads (VE8) sat on the skates, or in the rotation compared to the 1S. The only point that I'll speculate on is that I think the Graf toe cap will be more protective than the 1S, but I can't confirm this until someone drills me with a puck. Inside Toe - A pic is attached of the inside toe and stitching. A far as how it will wear, I have no idea. I'll pay attention as I put more time on the skates. Graf vs True Comfort & Heel Cap - My Trues are very comfortable and so are the Grafs. I don't have enough time on the Grafs to make definitive decision in the comfort battle. As far as the heel cup, the Graf heel cup is deeper. I did not experience any slippage while working the movement progressions. Please let me know if you have other questions. -steve

Since there is no ice right now I have been ignoring the shiny new skates. I just set up some synthetic ice panels and will try the Graf's out tonight and take some more pictures. I'll also be able to do a compare vs the 1S. This will probably be the only time on the synthetic with them because I do not have any spare steel yet. Does anyone know where to get more steel for these? -steve

On the way! My new Armstrong Custom / Kustom Composite. It may be too pretty to wear on the ice, ok, I am going to wear it.

Ray at New Image does great work! I just received a Warwick back from him.

Here are some more pics. Let me know if you have any questions. Pictures added -steve

I will take some more photos today and post them later. As far as recently used skates, I currently switch between Mrazek 1S Pro stock and Leighton True 2 Piece with the Vertex holder, so I've been cowling less for a while. I will write a comparison (As well as a review) once I manage to get the Graf's on the ice.

The pre-bake fit feels like a slipper, and I'm planning on baking them once it gets closer to ice time My first impression is that this is a very well made skate. The workmanship is great. -steve

The tab is a part of the steel to prevent pucks from getting through. They are 3mm in width.

Because of this thread, my new Graf cowling less skates just arrived. I'm a size 12 shoe and bought an 11 Graf. They fit perfectly. Hopefully I'll be able to get them on the ice someday. -steve

New to me, Curtis Sandford game used Dillon mask with paint by Pepe. It fits well and I plan on wearing it once we are allowed back on the ice. My new favorite mask in the collection

Add my dream mask to the collection. New old stock Jerry Wright Bauer 961 Stars and Stripes edition. I'm not sure if I'm going to wear this one

It is an Eddy GT. Correct on the Eddy part I may have to look for that episode of how it's made.

From my >40 draft league a couple of weeks ago. Champion for Wednesday night. Drafted to a new team on Thursday

My new mask for beer league

Probably an Ohio State fan trying to get Michigan removed from the language. On a side note, I was at the game when the Michigan happened

I think the older (Myself included) "Get off my lawn crowd" would like this move because it shows another weakness in the RVH. If Rittich was in a traditional standing post hug mode this move fails. I say no ban.... for now My .02

I liked the Sparx and love the Wissota. I prefer the Wissota because I can completely control the process (Good or bad). The Sparx did it's job and was pretty much automatic. There is a fairly steep learning curve to use the Wissota properly, and I spent a lot of time practicing on old steel before I finally stepped on the ice with my own sharpening.

I sold my Sparx and bought a Wissota so that I could mess with in between hollows. On my 3mm steel I usually run approximately 3/8", and on my 4mm it is closer to 5/8". I'll make minor adjustments based on outside air temperature. I also raise the inside edges and dull the outside ones. Frequency? Every three or four skates in the summer on softer ice, and every couple of skates in the winter. I have purchased the FBV adapter from Wissota and some dressing wheels from Blackstone and plan to give FBV a shot in a couple of weeks. I love sharpening my own skates! -steve

Sorry I just saw this. I saw the mask on GGSU, but I think he had it on several other FB Groups as well.

Sure. From a guy in Traverse City Michigan. I have no idea where he acquired from.

The silver pen description reads, "Custom made for Erik Ersberg". So I guess it is an Eric Ersberg model

Well, my mask buying binge continues. I have always wanted a Warwick, and I was able to pick up this 2014 Warwick made for Erik Ersberg of HV71. Additionally, it was painted by Dave Art which wasn't mentioned in the ad. So I am really stoked! Does anyone know what model of Warwick this is? Thanks!

It is a New Image Patriot. * newimagegoaliemask.com * I highly recommend them. The paint is 1980 USA Olympic tribute, and the mask is Jim Craig's -steve

My New Image Patriot Pro just came back from the painter. Huge thanks to Sean Nance! My take on a 1980 USA tribute mask. I can't wait to get it on the ice on Sunday. -steve