Welcome to Old_Time_Hockey. Today we are presenting a museum-grade artifact of athletic history: The 1979 Gresshoppa "Tornado."
To understand these skates, you have to understand Gresshoppa. Founded in Oslo in 1891, Gresshoppa (Norwegian for "Grasshopper") was the definitive name in Scandinavian winter sports. While they are legendary for their high-end wooden skis and leather mountain boots, their foray into hockey equipment produced some of the most aesthetically striking gear of the 1970s.
Gresshoppa was known for "Norwegian Quality"—a philosophy that prioritized supple, high-grade leathers and comfort over the punishing rigidity of North American pro skates. By sourcing their hardware from KOVOPOL—a massive Czechoslovakian industrial combine—they ensured these skates possessed the finest tempered steel available behind the Iron Curtain, while maintaining that famous Oslo comfort.
Accessible Performance: Unlike the "stiff-as-a-board" pro models, the Tornado was designed with a Medium Flex profile and Intermediate Experience Level build. It offers a much more comfortable, forgiving fit for the skater who values the "feel" of the leather.
The 1979 Kovopol Dating: The "79" metal stamp on the front support provides clear factory dating, marking the peak of the Gresshoppa/Kovopol partnership.
Nickel-Plated Runners: A premium detail; the nickel plating on the Kovopol steel blades ensured they remained bright and corrosion-resistant, preserving their mirror-like finish for decades.
Scandinavian Design: The striking contrast of the black leather with Yellow Stitching and Yellow Felt is a hallmark of the Gresshoppa look, resulting in a visual profile that is almost impossible to find in North America.
Uppers: Supple black and burgundy leather in excellent shape. Rigid where it counts but maintains a comfortable flex. Minor surface scuffs are present (see photos).
Holders & Steel: Chrome tubes and nickel-plated runners are in original factory condition with no significant oxidation.
Interior: Nubuck liners and foam footbeds are clean and free of dry-rot.
Hardware: All original eyelets and mounting hardware are secure. Original yellow laces remain bright.
US Men's Shoe Size: 8.5
US Women's Shoe Size: 10.0
EU Men's Shoe Size: 42.0
Mondo: 26.5 cm
The Game May Change, But the Soul Remains.
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