Stabils: Intentional Destruction of Front Heel

[qatet]

After much hemming and hawing over choosing between Stabils and Blades, I chose the Stabils, and am now trying ot figure out how to overcome the problems inherent in not being a fencing shoe. The main problem that I see is the large front heel, which encourages using the thigh to lift the front foot on an advance, rather than simply lifting the front toe and sliding the foot forwards, as if on a hinge from the knee.

Has anybody tried carving off chunks of the front heel? The shoes are, indeed, stable, thanks to the heel which gets larger at the bottom, unlike fencing shoes, which are smaller at the bottom than in the middle. Any ideas what might happen if I did start slicing? Or any ideas about substances to use to cover the scar, should the underlying materials prove less durable?

[jjefferies]

Originally Posted by qatet

After much hemming and hawing over choosing between Stabils and Blades, I chose the Stabils, and am now trying ot figure out how to overcome the problems inherent in not being a fencing shoe. The main problem that I see is the large front heel, which encourages using the thigh to lift the front foot on an advance, rather than simply lifting the front toe and sliding the foot forwards, as if on a hinge from the knee.

Has anybody tried carving off chunks of the front heel? The shoes are, indeed, stable, thanks to the heel which gets larger at the bottom, unlike fencing shoes, which are smaller at the bottom than in the middle. Any ideas what might happen if I did start slicing? Or any ideas about substances to use to cover the scar, should the underlying materials prove less durable?

I would suggest just using it as is. It is very difficult to determine how the shoe is built without disecting it. Rarely are the heels of sports shoes solid, almost all have some degree of air pockets present. You "MIGHT" get away with triming off a bit of the edge. In that case I would suggest using a sander or similar tool.

[Mr Epee]

In time you will get used to it.

Leave it alone.

[Epee Scherma]

If I see ONE more thread about fencing shoes, I will flip.

There is no need to rip apart your brand new shoes. Just ****ing wear the bloody things and fence!

[Peach]

Having seen your shoes, I agree that the heels are too thick, especially for the front foot. I noticed that your footwork seems more deliberate and a little flatfooted. I don't know why you shouldn't try shaving it with a razor or using some kind of grinding wheel on it--does anybody know how those composites in shoes respond to this kind of treatment? Will it compromise the integrity of the shoe?

[Peach]

Originally Posted by Epee Scherma

If I see ONE more thread about fencing shoes, I will flip.

Have you considered not reading the threads in the Armory?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

This does sound like a particularly bad idea. Get a different front shoe my friend.

[Epee Scherma]

Originally Posted by Peach

Have you considered not reading the threads in the Armory?

I know. I just felt like being a little melodramatic about it. The # of shoe threads out there, is just amazing that's all. This is the first one I saw where soemone wants to destroy their shoe in an experiment though.

[Go? Fencing?]

So if it's a new topic, don't complain.

And your voice isn't particularly suited to being melodramatic, and since I hear your voice when I read your posts... I just laugh.

[KD5MDK]

The number of epee blade threads could probably go down as well.
And the entire event of foil.

[qatet]

The question is not whether or not I should destroy the shoe. It doesn't work for me. It encourages habits from coaching beginners (deliberateness of footwork, as Peach says) and from plain laziness (no, I think I _won't_ retreat... oh, I suppose I should have retreated. Hmmm). I've trained with the things for about a month, practicing four to five times per week. I'm pretty sure I know how they feel. I don't need advice about whether or not to do so. The question is, does anybody else have experience with such modifications.

On the other hand, if anybody wants a size 9 left LP shoe and/or a size 10 women's right Stabil, PM me. I'd be more than happy to pass along shoes that I don't want. Until then, I might as well ask about modifications.

That said, does anybody have experience intentionally destroying the front heel of a Stabil?

[prototoast]

I would be very worried about cutting up the shoe. I'd start with a little bit of sandpaper or something. Don't go through the outsole. In my experience with shoe wear, if you get through the outsole, the destruction will just continue and there will be little you can do to stop it. I'd try just rounding it off little by little and seeing if there's any improvement.

Another option would be to take it to a professional shoe-repair type place. There might not be anything they can do, but it's certainly worth inquiring as it is their profession, and they may have some good techniques or insight.

[qatet]

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

And the entire event of foil.

Dude, you should TOTALLY recommend this to the FIE and the IOC. I'm sure that they'd be receptive. Especially men's foil.

Oh wait.

They beat you to it.

[Peach]

I should mention that I taught science for ten years, and one year we dissected athletic shoes to see how they were constructed. They are surprisingly difficult to take apart deliberately, considering how easily they tend to fall apart when worn.

[KD5MDK]

"Here 12 year old boy, put these on and run around for 10 minutes, it will be faster than using a scalpel."