Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw - 12/16/2008

Question
I was wondring if you could give me some blade-information, and recommend one of these blades for me (MK Vision, MK Phaantom, JW Pattern 99)..

Im and adult who currently skate on MK Pro, but I need a new, smaller boot, and therefore new blades, cuz the blades  I have now will be too long for my new boot..
I have already choosen a new boot, but Im very unsure which blade to pic.. Im a student, so I dont have a lot of money, so I really want to make sure that I buy the right blades..
I live in antoher country, and here there are NO Pro Shops, so I dont know were else I can go to ask for good advice..

I do like my MK Pro, and many say they are perfect for my level etc.. But I think the pics are small, smaller than my previous beginner blade (!) and the blades get dull very fast..

A week ago I borrowed a pair of skates, I was not very impressed with the boots, they were terrible on my feet, but I Loved the blades,, which was Pattern 99..

I didnt find the bigger pics intimidating at all, in fact I think its an advantage, I found that the pics helped my toe jumps, it felt much easier executing them and landings felt more secure,, with these blades it was also MUCH MUCH more easier "hooking" the camel spin, stay centered and getting more revul, same for layback spin. My scratch spin also got more centered, but felt a little more "sticky".
The weired thing was that I found it was a little more difficult doing a centered sit spin, and it was slower and felt more "stickier" than the sit spins I do with MK Pro.. 3-turns felt more "sticky" too.. (Any explanations for that..??.).

The only thing I notised about the Pattern blades that was diferent from my MK Pros (in addition to bigger pics), was that I had to have my "balance point" further back on the Pattern blade.. On MK Pro, the Sweet spot "spin rocker" is further in the front, so when doing a scratch spin you have to lean  further forward and point the toes (maybe not, but it feels that way, it feels like almost standing on the toes spinning).. But on Pattern, I had to lean further back, the balance point felt like it was slightly behind the ball of the foot, which felt kind of awkward to me..

This need to adjust the balance piont, and the slower and more sticky sit spin and 3turns, is this beacause Pattern (8 rocker) is a flatter blade than Mk Pro (7 rocker), so the smaller rocker, the further balance point and less sticky feeling..??

Do you think  my balance point / sweet spot will be less affected, if I choose my new blade (7 rocker = MK Vision or Phantom) that has the same rocker as my current blade (7 rocker= MK Pro), than choosing Pattern 99 with an 8 rocker..??

I Loooved the bigger pics on Pattern! The pics on Vision look a little smaller, the pics on Phantom look a little bigger.. Is this correct, or are they similar in size and shape to Pattern, and does "picking" with these blades feel almost the same wcompared with Pattern..??

I have heard some peaple say that even though blades can have the same rocker, they can have very different "sweet spots" or "spin rockers", iow the blade portion where you spin is shaped and curved very different from blade to blade..
Is this correct, and if yes; which of the blades (Vision, Phantom, Pattern) has a "sweet spot" / "Balance point" / "spin rocker" that is most similar to MK Pro..??

I guess it is possible to adjust your balance point, but I`d rather not, I like the sweet spot position on MK Pro, spinning further at the front on the blade.. But I want much bigger Pics, similar to the Pattern Pics..

Based on this info; which blade do you recommend for me;
MK Vision or Phantom (with same 7 rocker as my MK Pro) or
Pattern 99 (with an 8 rocker, which I have to adjust to and get used to)..??

(I dont wanna try Ultima, Paramount etc, cuz they dont have these blades in the netshop I buy from)..


Sincerely
Rose


Answer
Hi,
Sounds like you are going to be comfortable on Pattern 99.  You will adjust to the rocker and it will help your spins and overall skating.  All new blades have an adjustment time.  Phantom will feel most like what you have but bigger pick. You only need this if you do alot of doubles and triples.  
Good luck,
Dianne