John Wilson blades are the highest standard when it comes to figure skating. People often ask me if they are worth buying or if they are as good as they are claimed to be.
If you want to take your ice skating experience to the next level, you should definitely consider investing in John Wilson blades. They are extremely strong, durable and are some of the lightest blades that you could find.
Keep reading to know all about John Wilson ice skates – what to expect, some of the best blades they offer, and which one is the right choice for you!
What Is John Wilson Ice Skate?
John Wilson is a British company that designs and manufactures figure skating blades. It was established in 1696 and is the oldest manufacturer of ice skates.
These blades have unique features that are hard to find in other skates. They are designed with the best quality products and technology. As a result, John Wilson skates are some of the lightest, strongest, and most durable blades that you can buy.
Also, the John Wilson blades are designed to give you higher jumps, prevent injuries, and give you the smoothest skating experience. They are the choice of some of the best figure skaters in the world. Read on to know about each of these features in more detail.
9 Things to Know About John Wilson Ice Skates
Are you considering buying John Wilson ice skates? Are they worth the hype? Are they worth the money? What makes them better than other skates on the market?
Here are 9 things to know about John Wilson ice skates:
1. John Wilson Blades Are Among the Strongest and Most Flexible
The most notable quality of John Wilson blades is their strength. Their traditional blades are made of spring steel and undergo six hardening and tampering tests to ensure that they remain strong.
Spring steel allows the blades to be flexible when needed and returns to their original shape afterward. These blades are manufactured with CNC technology and the additional help of traditional craftsmen.
2. Each Blade Undergoes a 55 Step Process to Ensure Quality
John Wilson blades have been in production for more than 300 years. So, you can trust them to be of the highest quality possible and give you an extended-edged life.
Each blade undergoes a 55 step process after production to ensure that it is of the best quality. There are also 6 hardening and tampering tests that are conducted to provide strength to the blades.
3. John Wilson’s ‘Phoenix Blade’ Is the Lightest Ever Made
The Phoenix blade is not only the lightest blade I could find in the market. It is, in fact, the most lightweight ice skating blade ever made.
The Phoenix blade is 46% lighter than traditional blades and 20% lighter than their aluminum products. It is made of stainless steel and is claimed to ‘outperform anything they have offered before in its ability to resist corrosion.
It is designed to improve performance and save energy. Despite its lightweight, I did not experience any loss in strength, and it lasts as long as their other blades.
4. Their ‘Revolution Blades’ Also Acts as a Thermal Barrier
John Wilson’s ‘Revolution Blades’ are made of 100% unidirectional fibers molded with a thermosetting resin.
This not only provides strength and easier performance, but the resin used in the carbon fiber also acts as a thermal barrier that protects my feet from cold transference.
What this means is that these ice blades protect your feet from getting cold while skating, which is a concern that I often hear.
5. Champions Around the World Wear John Wilson Skates
These blades have some of the most advanced features and technology that I could find. John Wilson has been manufacturing ice skates for more than 300 years. So naturally, John Wilson is the choice of some of the best figure skaters in the world.
Some world champions that choose John Wilson skates are:
- World Champion Nathan Chen (Gold Seal Revolution Blades)
- US National Champion Adam Rippon (Pattern 99 Revolution)
- Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu (Pattern 99 Revolution)
- Olympic Silver Medalist Shoma Uno (Pattern 99)
- World Bronze Medalist Mikhail Kolyada (Gold Seal Revolution)
6. John Wilson Skates Have a Global Lifelong Warranty
John Wilson blades are designed while keeping the best athletes of the world in mind. Not only are they the lightest, most flexible, and most robust blades that I could find, but they are also designed to last for years.
The company states that ‘in the unlikely event of a problem,’ all John Wilson blades are covered by a global lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
7. Each John Wilson Blade Has Two Variations
Each John Wilson blade is available in either traditional or Revolution technology.
Their traditional blades are made of spring steel and are made as light, flexible, and strong as possible by undergoing numerous quality and durability checks.
Unidirectional fibers and a thermosetting resin aren’t the only impressive features of John Wilson’s Revolution blades. These blades also have a unique cantilever shape that allows soft landings and easy jumps.
8. John Wilson Ice Skates Were the Royals’ Preferred Choice
As skating grew in popularity across Europe in the 17th century, John Wilson was asked to build special figure skating blades for King William III in the 17th century.
His excellent skills and precision brought him fame throughout England and established the John Wilson company. He worked for the royals for decades to come.
In the 1840s, the company was commissioned by British royalty again. This time, it was to design figure skates for Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.
9. John Wilson Has a Line of Blades for Dance and Synchronized Skating
John Wilson’s coronation blades are designed to be flexible and versatile. You can choose between the Coronation Ace, Coronation Ace Lite, and the Coronation Dance blades.
The three blades have unique properties that are suited to different needs. They are designed to be lighter and thinner to allow easy gliding and jumps. In addition, the Coronation Dance has a shorter heel to allow easy synchronization and avoid trips.
Should You Buy John Wilson Ice Skate?
John Wilson skates may have cost me more than other blades that I could find in the market. However, they are a great investment because I wanted to take your skating skills and experience to the next level.
Here are the reasons why you should consider buying John Wilson ice skates:
John Wilson Is the Oldest Designer and Manufacturer of Ice Skating Blades
This undoubtedly gives them an edge over any other company in the market. Over their 324 year history, John Wilson has created some of the best and highest quality blades that you can buy. So naturally, these blades are the choice of champions all around the world.
John Wilson Blades Are the Lightest You Can Find
Their Phoenix blades are the lightest blades I have ever tried. They allow maximum air time and save energy. Their other traditional and Revolution blades are also designed to be as light as possible without compromising strength or durability.
John Wilson Blades Are Strong yet Flexible
Each John Wilson blade is designed with a different technology according to different needs. However, the most important quality of all these blades is that they are designed to be solid and easy to work with.
I also love how flexible they are to allow higher and easier jumps and landings, all while instantly shifting to their original shape when needed.
They Have a Variety of Blades That Can Fit Any Need
John Wilson has a special line of blades for dance and synchronized skating. They also have three other lines of blades – traditional, Revolution, and Phoenix. Each of these blades is made with different technologies and features.
Whichever blades I wanted, John Wilson has provided an option for me. So, keep reading to know the best blades that John Wilson has to offer so that you can find one that suits your needs perfectly.
John Wilson Blades Are Extremely Durable
Since these blades are designed keeping world-class competitions in mind, they are ensured to be of the highest quality. I loved how they are designed to give an extended edge life and are resistant to rusting. They also have a global lifelong warranty that you can depend on.
You Can Customize Them
I could get my name etched into most types of John Wilson blades at the point of manufacture for a unique and personalized finish. Most of their blades are also available in black, apart from the classic silver color.
Best John Wilson Ice Skates
Here are some of the ice skates produced by John Wilson that I have tried, along with the features of each blade in detail for you to choose the one that is perfect for you:
- Pattern 99 Revolution Blade
The Pattern 99 Revolution Blade is made using carbon fiber technology and the handiwork of the finest craftsmen.
It has an 8ft primary rocker and a subtle secondary rocker.
The Pattern 99 Revolution Blade has a straight cut toe pick and a stanchion height lower than John Wilson’s other blades.
It has a size range of 8″-11″ and can be customized.
- Phoenix Gold Blade
The Phoenix Gold Blade is made with a nano charged matrix formula that provides increased strength and rigidity. It is designed to be flexible and provide maximum air time.
It has an 8ft primary rocker and an aggressive secondary rocker. The Phoenix Gold Blade has a cross-cut toe pick and a high stanchion height.
Moreover, it has a size range of 8″-11″ and is available in black and silver.
- Phoenix 99 Blade
The Phoenix 99 Blade is among the lightest and strongest blades that John Wilson offers.
It has the same curve as the Pattern 99 Revolution Blade but with a higher stanchion height and a bottom tooth that isn’t tapered. This helps avoid pre-rotation and unwanted drag. It also prevents slipping out from your skating boots.
Like the Pattern 99 Revolution blade, it has an 8ft primary rocker with a subtle secondary rocker and a straight cut toe pick. It has a size range of 8″-11″.
The Phoenix 99 Blade is 46% lighter than the traditional Pattern 99 blade.
- Gold Seal Revolution Blade
The Gold Seal Revolution blade is similar to the traditional Gold Seal blade but has the added benefits of carbon fiber technology. This provides extra flexibility and weight reduction so that the blade is lighter.
The Gold Seal Revolution blade has an 8ft primary rocker and an aggressive secondary rocker. Moreover, it has a cross-cut toe pick and a high stanchion height. It has a size range of 8″-11″.
- Coronation Ace Blade
The Coronation Ace is claimed to be the ‘most popular freestyle blade in the world.’
It is a good choice if you are looking for a blade that will help you improve your skating performance. It is precise and strong and will help you improve your jumps.
The Coronation Ace blade has a 7ft primary rocker and a subtle secondary rocker. Also, It has a cross-cut toe pick and a standard stanchion height. It has a size range of 7″-12″.
- Coronation Dance Blade
The Coronation Dance is John Wilson’s best option for dance and synchronized skating. This blade has a shorter heel to prevent clashing and falls. It is similar to the Coronation Ace in terms of versatility and allows your skills to develop comfortably.
The Coronation Dance blade has a 7ft primary rocker and a standard secondary rocker. It has a size range of 8″-12″.
Final Thoughts
John Wilson ice skates are unparalleled and offer unique features and qualities that are hard to find in any other blade. They are the choice of the best figure skaters in the world. They are light, flexible, strong, and durable.
Now that you know all about the John Wilson company and its blades, you can easily decide the right choice for yourself to take your ice skating experience to the next level!
