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ASK MR. EDGE
February 2003
Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.
Having a problem with your skates or boots? Can't find the answers? Well, Mr. Edge is here to answer all your questions. With many years of experience and a never-ending resource list, he can help you solve your boot, blade and foot problems.
Hold tight there skating fans while I check and see if J.D. Hog has seen his shadow or not! I can't tell, probably because as of this writing it was still January, and Mr. Hog has yet to make an appearance.
At any rate, how the heck is everyone out there? I've gotten some great e-mails this past month that I'll share with you a little later.
Please don't forget to properly list your return e-mail address if you have a question. Double check your address, or I will not be able to answer your questions. So please, please, please, help me help you.
Here is another reminder based on general questions I've received. Ever wonder why some days your skates feel great and the next day they don't?
Well, it's all in the way you lace and unlace your skates. You really do have to loosen those laces and lace them down beyond the instep. This way the boot will open up around the ball area, allowing you to place or remove your feet with little effort.
The next step is to toe up the boot and kick back on the heel to place your heel in the back of the boot. Begin the lacing process starting from the toe and working up to the top. Now, you will find your feet securely locked into your boots.
R U ready for some questions? All right then, let's get started.
Q: Should skates hurt when you first get them? Brentwood, Tenn.
A: Hurt? Why, of course not! They should feel like bedroom slippers. Only kidding, of course.
The first thing you need to do is define your definition of hurt. Are the boots a little snug? If so, then this is OK.
If they are leather boots, they will stretch within a short period of time. The more you wear them, the sooner they'll stretch.
However, if the boots are unbearably tight, this is not a good thing. Are they so tight that your feet are falling asleep or your toes feel as if they are overlapping inside the boot?
If so, they should be returned for a wider width. You want your boots to fit snugly but not so tight as to have your feet falling asleep.
Q: How do you know when it's time to purchase customized skating boots? Oklahoma City, Okla.
A:Simply, when nothing else fits!
Q: I recently decided to return to figure skating and soon decided to purchase new custom boots and new Phantom blades. My last pair was purchased perhaps 12 years ago. The new Phantoms have a different toe pick pattern and a much more pronounced rocker. Spinning is easier with the new blades, but I much prefer the old blades because they felt more stable. When did Phantom change the rocker, and can I still obtain the old design? Vacaville, Calif.
A: Other then the new toe pick design on the Phantom blades, there has never been a change on the Phantom blade radius. The rocker radius on Phantom blades always has been, and still is, seven inches.
What has changed is that your old blades have been sharpened so many times that it has taken out the original rocker and you are now skating on almost totally flat blades. This is the reason you feel so stable on the ice.
Having occurred gradually over the years, you've never noticed the difference until using your new pair.
Don't fret though, you could always have the rocker taken out of your blades so they are slightly flatter. This will give you a more stable feeling on the ice. However, if you do this, you will not be able to spin as well.
As for your other question, the old toe pick design is no longer available.
Q: I bought these new skates the other day and as soon as I put them on I get terrible pains. I am flat footed and wear orthotics. What should I do? Adelaide, Australia
A: Take up water skiing? Just kidding. I would ask around and see if there is someone in your area qualified to fit skating boots properly.
This may be a rare find where you live, but try! Your boots are definitely not for your particular feet.
Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.
The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.
