Parabolic Blades

WednesdayMarch · Dec 29, 2019

I'm contemplating a change from my MK Dance blades to MK Phantoms, as while I like the shortened heel for the avoidance of stepping on the backs during close footwork, I actually feel really insecure when I'm working on Field Moves/Moves In The Field, back threes, etc. I adored my Phantoms and only changed because I specialised in dance at a high level and was convinced by an excellent coach that it was the right thing to do. I was working for InterGold Dance back then.

But that was 20 years ago, and MITF were barely in existence in the UK. Coming back after 18 years off, I love them and want to do all the levels if I can. The opportunities for ice dance are limited at my rink as it's kidney shaped (don't get me started!) and I'm the only ice dancer there.

I think that Phantoms are probably the right way to go for me, but would Phantom Parabolics be better or worse than standard ones? I have never skated on Parabolic blades and everything I read offers conflicting opinions and advice. Edges are my thing and I don't want to compromise on the quality of those.

Ic3Rabbit · Dec 29, 2019

WednesdayMarch said:
I'm contemplating a change from my MK Dance blades to MK Phantoms, as while I like the shortened heel for the avoidance of stepping on the backs during close footwork, I actually feel really insecure when I'm working on Field Moves/Moves In The Field, back threes, etc. I adored my Phantoms and only changed because I specialised in dance at a high level and was convinced by an excellent coach that it was the right thing to do. I was working for InterGold Dance back then.

But that was 20 years ago, and MITF were barely in existence in the UK. Coming back after 18 years off, I love them and want to do all the levels if I can. The opportunities for ice dance are limited at my rink as it's kidney shaped (don't get me started!) and I'm the only ice dancer there.

I think that Phantoms are probably the right way to go for me, but would Phantom Parabolics be better or worse than standard ones? I have never skated on Parabolic blades and everything I read offers conflicting opinions and advice. Edges are my thing and I don't want to compromise on the quality of those.

Go for it. I wore Phantom parabolics for some time while I competed and loved them. They made my already high quality edges and turns even more precise and amazing.

WednesdayMarch · Dec 30, 2019

Ic3Rabbit said:
Go for it. I wore Phantom parabolics for some time while I competed and loved them. They made my already high quality edges and turns even more precise and amazing.

Brilliant. Thank you for that. :biggrin:

Out of interest, why did you change...?

Ic3Rabbit · Dec 30, 2019

WednesdayMarch said:
Brilliant. Thank you for that.

Out of interest, why did you change...?

Because I've been known to test blades. And well, I developed a longstanding love affair with P99's.

(I like the 8ft rocker better and the pick for my huge jumps, I :rofl2: every time someone posts that the pick on them is scary).

WednesdayMarch · Dec 30, 2019

Ic3Rabbit said:
Because I've been known to test blades. And well, I developed a longstanding love affair with P99's. (I like the 8ft rocker better and the pick for my huge jumps, I :rofl2: every time someone posts that the pick on them is scary).

I thought that might be the case. Thank you. (I chortle every time somebody mentions that Phantoms have huge picks. Yeah... :laugh:

)

bostonskaterguy86 · Dec 30, 2019

Ic3Rabbit said:
Because I've been known to test blades. And well, I developed a longstanding love affair with P99's. (I like the 8ft rocker better and the pick for my huge jumps, I :rofl2: every time someone posts that the pick on them is scary).

I always thought those picks looked scary, and then I started learning toe loop and now I kinda wish my MK Pros had bigger picks....

WednesdayMarch · Dec 30, 2019

bostonskaterguy86 said:
I always thought those picks looked scary, and then I started learning toe loop and now I kinda wish my MK Pros had bigger picks....&#55357;&#56876;

The picks aren't scary. They help to concentrate the mind to keep the head and body in the right position... :biggrin:

kolyadafan2002 · Dec 30, 2019

At the end of the day, you can succeed on any top end blade provided you dont change it too often, as every type of blade has major differences. I've personally stuck like glue to regular gold seal blades, as that what my coaches ordered in the shop (they come up to the shop with you when purchasing things), however I also know people who love P99 and love parabolic blades. Ask your coach for best advice as they likely know which is the best blade to complement your skating. It also depends the stuff you can do with non-parabolic blades, and whether you would benefit from them and the costs associated with them. Going from parabolic blades to non parabolic blades might be tricky, so be sure it's something you want to do. I may be totally wrong and it may be very easy to switch blades however it's not necessarily recommended.

sandraskates · Dec 30, 2019

WednesdayMarch said:
The picks aren't scary. They help to concentrate the mind to keep the head and body in the right position...

I've been wearing Phantoms for so long now 20+ years that I never even think about the toe picks when I'm skating! I just bought myself a new pair of the regular ones.

Sorry I can't answer your question about the parabolic ones but it sure is a good question. If you get them, I've love to know your thoughts.

WednesdayMarch · Dec 30, 2019

sandraskates said:
I've been wearing Phantoms for so long now 20+ years that I never even think about the toe picks when I'm skating! I just bought myself a new pair of the regular ones.

Sorry I can't answer your question about the parabolic ones but it sure is a good question. If you get them, I've love to know your thoughts.

I never thought about the toe picks before, so hopefully I won't have too much trouble this time! If I do get them (I'm hopeful) then I'll definitely let you know what I think.

sandraskates · Dec 30, 2019

You'll get used to the toe picks and won't even notice them until you need them!

I should add that it took me awhile (6 months+) before I felt comfortable using my Phantoms for MITF.
I have a "work" pair of skates with MK Professional blade and thought it was easier to maneuver the required 3 turn patterns in those. But I didn't want to use those skates for anything but teaching, so I kept working MITF in my Phantoms and am now quite comfortable. Hope to test Silver in May or June.

Now ice dance may be more challenging. Unfortunately, I don't get much ice dance practicing in these days. I've passed all pre-silver dances, but those were done in MK Dance blades. I feel "sluggish" doing the dances in the Phantoms; it felt was a lot easier to maneuver dances in the dance blades. I suppose if I practiced again in my Phantoms I'd probably get comfortable dancing in them.

WednesdayMarch · Dec 30, 2019

sandraskates said:
You'll get used to the toe picks and won't even notice them until you need them!

I should add that it took me awhile (6 months+) before I felt comfortable using my Phantoms for MITF.
I have a "work" pair of skates with MK Professional blade and thought it was easier to maneuver the required 3 turn patterns in those. But I didn't want to use those skates for anything but teaching, so I kept working MITF in my Phantoms and am now quite comfortable. Hope to test Silver in May or June.

Now ice dance may be more challenging. Unfortunately, I don't get much ice dance practicing in these days. I've passed all pre-silver dances, but those were done in MK Dance blades. I feel "sluggish" doing the dances in the Phantoms; it felt was a lot easier to maneuver dances in the dance blades. I suppose if I practiced again in my Phantoms I'd probably get comfortable dancing in them.

Oh, now that's interesting. And slightly worrying in that I've now paid for the Phantom Parabolics... :eeking:

I danced to Inter-Gold standard, which I seem to recall was Silver Samba, Argentine Tango and Starlight Waltz although it might also have been the Kilian - it was 20 years ago and my memory fails me. I was doing everything on my Phantoms until the last couple of months before my accident, so I didn't have long on MK Dance blades at all. I don't recall ever feeling sluggish in the Phantoms, but I haven't worn them since having Dance blades so maybe I'm about to find out! What I do know is that I really don't like the 3 turn patterns for MITF in those. I won't be getting rid of my MK Dance blades, just in case. (Apart from the ones that are too small for my current boots. It's about time they were rehomed.)

sandraskates · Dec 30, 2019

But remember - I'm getting ancient so any blade switch to me is nearly shell-shock! I think you'll be fine!!

Ic3Rabbit · Dec 30, 2019

WednesdayMarch said:
Oh, now that's interesting. And slightly worrying in that I've now paid for the Phantom Parabolics... :eeking:

I danced to Inter-Gold standard, which I seem to recall was Silver Samba, Argentine Tango and Starlight Waltz although it might also have been the Kilian - it was 20 years ago and my memory fails me. I was doing everything on my Phantoms until the last couple of months before my accident, so I didn't have long on MK Dance blades at all. I don't recall ever feeling sluggish in the Phantoms, but I haven't worn them since having Dance blades so maybe I'm about to find out! What I do know is that I really don't like the 3 turn patterns for MITF in those. I won't be getting rid of my MK Dance blades, just in case. (Apart from the ones that are too small for my current boots. It's about time they were rehomed.)

I think you'll be fine on the Phantom Parabolic. I did fine on mine and I was switching daily between those for my singles training and MK dance for my ice dance training.

WednesdayMarch · Jan 10, 2020

The Day of Truth Dawned!

I picked up my boots at the rink this morning with the new Phantom Parabolics fitted. Did wonder whether I was going to realise I'd made (another) expensive mistake but I got on the ice and started stroking. Guess what? They felt like, er, blades. Slower than the MK Dance, definitely (the jury's out on whether that's because of the blades, the brand new grind or the abysmal ice we had this morning) but other than that, fine. Bearing in mind that skating for me is more difficult these days because of the severed nerves in my right leg, I played safe and just played around with some edges, turns, a few twizzles (those are going to need a LOT of work!) and a couple of spins, but I'm definitely feeling more secure on them. Spent most of the session teaching, which was ideal as I could get a feel for the new blades whilst I did it. I did suddenly get the "Oooh, I could get some SERIOUS edges on these babies!" feeling a couple of times, so I think that once I'm settled on them and more confident of where the heel is (they are a LOT longer than MK Dance, even considering I went back down to a 9.25" base plate, as I always had Phantoms a quarter of an inch shorter because of the heel length) I am going to be a really happy skater.

Best test? Right at the end of the session, I decided to do a spiral. I HATED spirals in dance boots and blades. Still have dance boots (because I adore them) but the Phantoms make ALL the difference.

And now I need a nap. I'll be smiling in my sleep.

Thank you for the encouragement, Ic3Rabbit. You were right. :thank:

sandraskates · Jan 10, 2020

I was wondering how you liked you new blades and glad you gave an update! It's not just you as I too noticed a difference in MK Dance vs Phantoms while skating but once you get used to your Phantoms you'll adapt. Very happy for you.

Yeah, Ic3Rabbit knows her equipment. I also asked for advice from her and decided to stick with regular Phantoms. Hope to have them mounted next week.

Vicki7 · Jan 10, 2020

See, a coach I see for a few sessions a year is teaching me some pattern dances and free dance, and I'm now wondering how the experience would be in dance blades.
But I only dance a few times a year so can't justify a second pair of boots and blades

WednesdayMarch · Jan 10, 2020

sandraskates said:
I was wondering how you liked you new blades and glad you gave an update! It's not just you as I too noticed a difference in MK Dance vs Phantoms while skating but once you get used to your Phantoms you'll adapt. Very happy for you.

Yeah, Ic3Rabbit knows her equipment. I also asked for advice from her and decided to stick with regular Phantoms. Hope to have them mounted next week.

I would have thought I was being paranoid about the feeling of slowness if you hadn't mentioned it, Sandra! But I'm pretty certain I'll soon adapt. It'll make me skate harder, which won't do me any harm at all!

Why did you decide to stick with regular Phantoms, if you don't mind me asking?

Vicki7 said:
See, a coach I see for a few sessions a year is teaching me some pattern dances and free dance, and I'm now wondering how the experience would be in dance blades.
But I only dance a few times a year so can't justify a second pair of boots and blades

As I know you outside this forum, Vicki, and know how you skate and what dances you're doing, I have to say that I think you'd absolutely loathe MK Dance blades. They are rocky! Narrower, slicker and much, much shorter with tiny toe picks. Coronation Dance would be a better choice, but I honestly think you wouldn't like those either. Shortened blades are no fun at all if you have any balance issues and not everybody likes swapping between different boots and blades. It's easier at higher levels (like Ic3Rabbit) because whilst you know what you like, you also know how to adjust to any changes more easily. You really don't need them for what you're working on now. I was working for InterGold before I swapped to MK Dance and whilst they were a good idea back then (because I did tread on the backs of the Phantoms and I liked the speed of the thin blades) they really don't suit my balance now.

Ic3Rabbit · Jan 10, 2020

WednesdayMarch said:
The Day of Truth Dawned!

I picked up my boots at the rink this morning with the new Phantom Parabolics fitted. Did wonder whether I was going to realise I'd made (another) expensive mistake but I got on the ice and started stroking. Guess what? They felt like, er, blades. Slower than the MK Dance, definitely (the jury's out on whether that's because of the blades, the brand new grind or the abysmal ice we had this morning) but other than that, fine. Bearing in mind that skating for me is more difficult these days because of the severed nerves in my right leg, I played safe and just played around with some edges, turns, a few twizzles (those are going to need a LOT of work!) and a couple of spins, but I'm definitely feeling more secure on them. Spent most of the session teaching, which was ideal as I could get a feel for the new blades whilst I did it. I did suddenly get the "Oooh, I could get some SERIOUS edges on these babies!" feeling a couple of times, so I think that once I'm settled on them and more confident of where the heel is (they are a LOT longer than MK Dance, even considering I went back down to a 9.25" base plate, as I always had Phantoms a quarter of an inch shorter because of the heel length) I am going to be a really happy skater.

Best test? Right at the end of the session, I decided to do a spiral. I HATED spirals in dance boots and blades. Still have dance boots (because I adore them) but the Phantoms make ALL the difference.

And now I need a nap. I'll be smiling in my sleep.

Thank you for the encouragement, Ic3Rabbit. You were right.

- - - Updated - - -

sandraskates said:
Yeah, Ic3Rabbit knows her equipment. I also asked for advice from her and decided to stick with regular Phantoms. Hope to have them mounted next week.

sandraskates · Jan 10, 2020

I stuck with original Phantoms because I've worn them for the better part of 25 years + I'm old and any drastic change would be shell shock! My work skates currently have MK Pros and those are not bad either but I don't do much jumping in them.

Haven't done any dedicated ice dancing in years as there is not much opportunity these days. :-(
I considered the Phantom Revolutions but the added expense wasn't worth it to me.

Parabolic Blades

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

Ic3Rabbit

Former Elite, now Pro. ⛸️

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

Ic3Rabbit

Former Elite, now Pro. ⛸️

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

bostonskaterguy86

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

kolyadafan2002

Fan of Kolyada

sandraskates

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

sandraskates

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

sandraskates

Ic3Rabbit

Former Elite, now Pro. ⛸️

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

sandraskates

Vicki7

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed

Ic3Rabbit

Former Elite, now Pro. ⛸️

sandraskates

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