Step blacksteel profile and sharpening

[Jscott40 0]

I just recently bought Step Blacksteel XL for my Vapors. The feel is obviously quite a bit different than the LS4 I’m accustomed to. As long and flat as these blades are, I feel like I want to have some of the heel shaved off, but I’m not sure if this is the right approach. I had these skates sharpened at 80/75 like I’ve been doing on my LS4 and honestly it feels like I’m slipping a bit more.

My questions are:

Does everybody use the same sharpening on Step blacksteel as LS4?

Is it just me, or does FBV feel more variable based on hard or soft ice than ROH?

Any suggestions on profiling/heel shaving to make the STEP more comfortable to skate in like LS4, or do I just need to get used to Step?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[Sniper9 517]

Do they both have the same profile? Generally I find I can get away with a lower hollow with black steel bc it has a bit better bite and edge retention. 

I usually go 1/2" roh but with blacksteel I can use 9/16" roh.  

[Jscott40 0]

So far I haven’t found it to have better bite. Theoretically LS4 and step blacksteel both have a 10’ radius, but Step definitely has more material in the heel. The toe is fairly similar between both sets of steel. 

[VegasHockey 1257]

17 hours ago, Jscott40 said:

I just recently bought Step Blacksteel XL for my Vapors. The feel is obviously quite a bit different than the LS4 I’m accustomed to. As long and flat as these blades are, I feel like I want to have some of the heel shaved off, but I’m not sure if this is the right approach. I had these skates sharpened at 80/75 like I’ve been doing on my LS4 and honestly it feels like I’m slipping a bit more.

My questions are:

Does everybody use the same sharpening on Step blacksteel as LS4?

Is it just me, or does FBV feel more variable based on hard or soft ice than ROH?

Any suggestions on profiling/heel shaving to make the STEP more comfortable to skate in like LS4, or do I just need to get used to Step?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

STEP XL is slightly longer than regular steel and while it is a 10' radius the toe and heel are different. If you want to copy your current profile just find a store that has the new ProSharp machine and they can match the profile exactly. We do it for customers all the time. Check out this video: 

 

[stick9 881]

I wouldn't say it has better bite. A 5/8ths ROH is a 5/8ths ROH regardless of what steel it's on. That said, I do agree the black steel will hold an edge longer.

To the OP, if you aren't getting the bite you are used to, it might be a so-so sharpening. First hollow cut on harder steel may require a few more passes than usual.

[shoot_the_goalie 277]

FBV definitely feels a bit more “slippery” than a similar ROH if you’ve never tried it before.  Takes a little getting used to but I actually prefer it.  Also I agree with stick9...initial sharpen on Blacksteel could be “light” as Blacksteel is harder steel.

[Jscott40 0]

Thanks for all the feedback. I was thinking that the first sharpening on the blacksteel may have need more parohsses as well. I’ve been skating on FBV for the last year, but probably bouncing around too much between sharpenings. I’ve been between 90/75 and 80/75 more recently, but how it feels really seems to depend on how hard the ice is. I’m 6’1” 235 so a flatter cut shouldn’t be unusual for me, just trying to find the sweet spot and keep it there. Or simplify things and go back to roh.

[sko buffs 30]

I went with a 40-80 profile on my blacksteel.

Edited February 18, 2019 by sko buffs