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Rubber/Clay stone works well on that finish https://howieshockeytape.com/products/rubber-skate-stone?_pos=2&_sid=e77362d25&_ss=r

Have you tried reducing the hollow with them? I find that when on coated blades they do bite more than normal, so you can go shallower without a worry. For me, it was 5/8 to 3.4 and a temptation to go 7/8…

55 flex is dead. You can now buy another version from here: https://www.greatsaves.org/product-page/skate-lace-eliminators or you can make your own out of 5mm thick leather and stainless steel or brass grommets. Tie them to the skates with either laces or screws. I've made a lot for players but if you only want one pair and hassle free then the greatsaves product is a good one.

Make them yourself. Some leather, some grommets, flat head bolt and nut. I picked up a cheap belt from a discount store, real leather for like $10. Cut it up into sections. Popped in the grommets, mounted to the boot and done.

If you dont need a custom skate you are better off saving that money. Not to mention you have the TRUE 30-day satisfaction guarantee so if you do buy them and dislike the skate for any reason you can return it. Thats not possible with customs. The build of most brands custom skates is basically the same as the retail model too. So it's not like they are getting anything significantly better. I would say CCM is the only company that has some significant available options for their customs as compared to retail models. I prefer to not put anyone in a custom skate unless they need to be in one. Thats for all brands, not just TRUE. I like customers having peace of mind if they buy a skate and its the wrong fit for them or too soft/stiff, they can return.

I've been skating most of my life. For a long time, I'd plateaued in my skating. But then I started dropping eyelets during practice just to see. Skip ahead in time and now I'm practising with my laces undone, and what a huge difference it has made. Yes, at first, I felt a bit slower, but then as I got used to it and my edges got stronger, it felt like I was getting into a better posture and getting better extension. Generally, I'm feeling the ice better, and that's allowing me to get better. When the world isn't ending, I'm playing games with looser laces. The laces on the top three eyelets are, for the most part, only there to keep the boot from spreading open. Otherwise, they don't provide much/any support for me. For me, it was short time pain by sacrificing that ankle support, but it's been long time gain, because once I got used to it, I'm a better skater for it.

Here is another that might be interesting: