JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Anybody have any experience with this company? Is their highly polished velocity steel worthwhile?I tried using the search function and I didn't find anything of use.http://www.stepskates.com/stepskates.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterphfr 12 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 I know nothing about them. I had planned to change the holders on my g7s to Pitch 3s, to get rid of the Graf steel. If the price is reasonable I may try this instead. I live in Florida, so LHS is out of the question looking at their map. Any online source anybody knows of?Hunter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elevation 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Try the search here...I heard of them here before and that this steel is supposed to be pretty good, even the regular ones...I'd like to try. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 I know nothing about them. I had planned to change the holders on my g7s to Pitch 3s, to get rid of the Graf steel. If the price is reasonable I may try this instead. I live in Florida, so LHS is out of the question looking at their map. Any online source anybody knows of?Hunter info@stepskates.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBP 18 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 I do carry Step steel as an alternative to the OEM. Find it is thicker than most OEM (width of the blade), sharpens with great consistancy and finishes well, but, does tend to "chip" a bit easier than others. Maybe because it has a slightly higher Rockwell hardness. (sharpening with an orange Blackstone wheel, will be changing back to back to Ruby after orange is out) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 (edited) Find it is thicker than most OEM (width of the blade)According to their website the diameter of their steel varies depending on which holders they are going in. The steel for TUUK C+ is 6.8mm. Lightspeed is 7.4mm. Anybody know the width of Bauer OEM steel?edit: this is not true Edited April 3, 2008 by JJStripes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBP 18 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Find it is thicker than most OEM (width of the blade)According to their website the diameter of their steel varies depending on which holders they are going in. The steel for TUUK C+ is 6.8mm. Lightspeed is 7.4mm. Anybody know the width of Bauer OEM steel?I have measured OEM CUST+ width to vary from 2.95mm to 3.03mm give or take. Known to be rather inconsistant, but we are not dealing in any NASA necessary spec. issues. Have found the STEP product a VERY tight fit going into the CUST+ holder. Most cases have had to use a little force to set it in properly. Will be installing on my skates very soon (old set almost worn out). Will follow up with impressions when transfer occurs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 (edited) I am really looking forward to this follow up. Based on your measurements Step steel is more than twice as wide as OEM. That's a pretty significant difference.edit: this is not true Edited April 3, 2008 by JJStripes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NTKT10 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 I am really looking forward to this follow up. Based on your measurements Step steel is more than twice as wide as OEM. That's a pretty significant difference.Your blade measurements from the Step website are incorrect. The 6.8 & 7.4 mm measurements are not blade diameter, they are the screw size that holds the blade in place. Blade diameter is not listed, but one would expect it to be comparable to the OEM steel of your brand of choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy 194 Report post Posted April 4, 2008 I have a big order of the Velocity steel coming in the next few days. This is my first Velocity I've gotten so for now can't say benefits other than simply it will hold edges better and be less likely to break or rust. I have 2 customers waiting for the Velocity, so after they test it out I'll see what they have to say. It is pricey, prob most wouldn't spend $65 per runner, although some would. Heck, figure skaters spend much much more than that, I guess it will be where your priorities are, e.g, flashy colored stick, or better performing steel. The regular Step steel is better than most manufacturers stock steel and virtually everyone who has replaced their stock with it is happy so I envision the same will be true with the Velocity.On some holders the Step needs a light tap with a rubber mallet to sit the steel the first time after installing, after that it goes in easy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockey DeVoTee 1 Report post Posted April 8, 2008 The diff between Step Steel and Step Velocity is the highly polished sides. The Rockwell rating and composition are identical. The sides look like they are plated in chrome. If you use Velocity be careful on who sharpens/hones the the sides of your blades. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy 194 Report post Posted April 8, 2008 I sharpened my first pair on Monday. They came out very nice. Customer picked them up today so I'll see what he has to say. They have an unbelievable mirror finish. When I tried to take a pic to post here, you could see my camera reflection and my face in the pic. They sharpened fine, didn't seem to have much shavings/curls that needed to be honed, but I honed them with a 220grit followed by a diamond hone and it didn't mar the finish at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shifter 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 wanna show us? Lol that's crazy how shiny they are like that.. Did you find anything different when sharpening them? Like in terms of feel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 (edited) I really want to use their velocity steel next season, but at $70 a pair it's tough. Maybe we can organize a group purchase and get a good discount. Edited April 9, 2008 by JJStripes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jason 65 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 I've been using Velocity by Step steel since around Christmas in my One90's. I love it. I find that there is noticeably less friction as compared to OEM steel which leads to better glide. It also seem to hold an edge better when turning. I like how the steel is taller as it means it will last me longer and also the profile of the steel is a little taller in the heel like Graf steel. It makes for a little more blade on the ice. Overall, I have been very pleased with the steel. It's got bling factor too, if you are into that sort of thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy 194 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 I really want to use their velocity steel next season, but at $70 a pair it's tough. Maybe we can organize a group purchase and get a good discount.The price is closer to $70 each, not a pair. Very tough to swallow. To some it will be worth it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Law Goalie 147 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 $140 for what might be the best steel on the market seems reasonable when you consider what a lot of guys pay for OPS...Very interested to hear more, jimmy, as you start getting impressions from customers and maybe a chance to take them for a spin yourself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trudy14 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 and once jimmys elbow is all better B) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJStripes 1 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 I really want to use their velocity steel next season, but at $70 a pair it's tough. Maybe we can organize a group purchase and get a good discount.The price is closer to $70 each, not a pair. Very tough to swallow. To some it will be worth it.I'm pretty sure it's $70 for the pair. I called them yesterday and that's what I was told. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Law Goalie 147 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 and once jimmys elbow is all better B)Oh damn. :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy 194 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 and once jimmys elbow is all better B)Just got back from the doctor to get stitches out, however another round of horse pill antibiotics, at least not more IV's. For those of you who don't think you can get staff infection from hockey equipment...oh well that's another topic.I'll get a good pick of the Velocity mirror finish here later today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Law Goalie 147 Report post Posted April 9, 2008 Dear god, man, take care of that!FWIW, 99% isopropanol sprayed in the pads is what my friendly neighbourhood germaphobic nurse recommended for sterilisation - that, an equipment-sized autoclave, or a hospital ozone chamber. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy 194 Report post Posted April 10, 2008 Dear god, man, take care of that!FWIW, 99% isopropanol sprayed in the pads is what my friendly neighbourhood germaphobic nurse recommended for sterilisation - that, an equipment-sized autoclave, or a hospital ozone chamber.Oh, I know how to prevent it... I even own a ozone chamber. I just thought I was immune because if I hadn't got it in 45yrs, why would I get it now. Answer: SUPERBUG! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
epstud74 24 Report post Posted April 10, 2008 How does this compare to the Sheffield Steel I had in my old Riedell Air hockey skates ten years ago? This stuff was pretty shiny as well. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
