How do you decide what length of blade to put on your figure skates?

At my pro shop they don't really seem to give any advice or anything about what length of blade to put on your skates, they just ask what length you would like, and so I asked them what length they would suggest, but they just told me to put which ever length I'm comfortable with, but I'm going to be ordering a size 9 skate, which is half a size larger than my other skates so I don't know what size blade to put on them. This new pro shop is worrying me a little since they haven't really given me much advice on this! Thanks.How do you decide what length of blade to put on your figure skates?
Icesk8er, you are right to feel worried about that pro shop's ';suggestion'; (or lack of it) . . . a real skate fitter would never tell you ';which ever length you are comfortable with';!!! Geez!!





I am no skate fitter either, but they say the blade should be a quarter inch less in length than the sole (measured from toe to heel).


http://www.usaskates.com/figureskateblad鈥?/a>


http://www.faqs.org/faqs/sports/skating/鈥?/a>





BUT . . . since someone is going to have to mount the blades onto your boots anyway, I would have the skate fitter do the whole bit for you - including measuring.





You might ask around (your coach, skater friends) for who they go to to work on their skates (word of mouth recommendations are far better than picking someone out of a phone book!). Sometimes the person doesn't even work out of a proshop!





Out here there is a guy (coach) who works out of his home . . . from this side of town he's a pain to get to . . . and once you get there he talks your ear off . . BUT he takes the time to get to know you and he provides a good, thorough service. It seems like ';everyone'; goes to him. So snoop around to see if there is a ';hidden'; expert like that in town!





Best of luck!!How do you decide what length of blade to put on your figure skates?
Goodness!





Find another pro-shop!





A really good pro-shop is worth a long drive to get to. You only go maybe once a year or so for skates so a really long drive wouldn't be that bad and then just tell them you are from *where ever* and and you plan to hang out there until your skates are done.





Depending on how busy they are it can be a while. I figure about two to two and a half hours at ours for the guy to get everything done but since I am driving well over and hour to get there I would rather take a book and wait than make the drive to often!





If there really isn't anything you can get to take your coach with you next time. They will charge time usually equal to what they would for ice time and maybe travel but still having their expert advice there would be worth. And if you don't have a private coach a you could probably still pay someone from there ice rink that teaches a lot of your classes to come and be your expert.





There is nothing more valuable in skating than a great coach. The only thing that comes close is a good pro-shop!!
Whoa, just like the others who have answered here -- I'd find a new shop!! If they can't tell you, what good can they be and what experience do they really have??? AND -- if they have fitted you for your new boots, have they done a good job? That's terrible because you need the best fit and blade mounting personalized to you because everyone's feet and skating is a little different.... Do you need your blade set to the outside a little or inside a little to correct how you stand in your boots? Are you in the correct boot/blade for your level and amount of hours you skate? All those considerations and more are important. If they mess that up for you, it may affect your skating and progress. I'm not sure if all places do it, but I think if you order Harlick boots from Harlick, I believe they will mount your blades too. Riedell may do that too. I would call and find out if you don't have a decent pro shop near by. It depends where you live. If you're in the Wisconsin/Illinois area, I'd recommend Rainbo Sports (rainbosports.com). They have a few locations in the area. Maybe they could also help you over the phone. Either way, I would ask other skaters at your rink where they go. They may even know of someone who is not associated with an actual shop that mounts blades and can help you out. What does your coach say? I don't know if I'd recommend just any online source because I think it's best to actually go to the shop/person so they can see how you stand, your height, weight, etc. so they can best point you in the right direction. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!
Okay.. simple answer without all the fluff..





The Heel and Ball stanchions should be in line with the foot.. IE the heel post should be under the heel and the ball stanchion should be under the ball of the foot..





How do they measure the length.. Usually in inches from the tip of the toe to the end of the heel.. but this is to match the look of the blade to the boot (Cosmetics).. You can usually go a little shorter on the overall length but not to much.. I would not go longer as it would put the toe picks in the wrong place in relation to the foot.. ** you'll have to see if the blades your looking to buy are measured in quarter inch or by 1/3 of an inch.. **