jimmy

How many cuts with the spinner do you get before it needs replacement?

Yea, I hated to change from ralph, but the shipping, duties and fees were just ridiculous.

I'm not sure. It depends on if England has higher duties from stuff coming from Canada or the US. I'd go with whomever is cheaper, shipping and duties. I had been using NASH but switched to Midwest. Shipping is cheaper and no duties for me. NASH seemed more "informed".

Yes, the steel is excellent, although I haven't got the veliocity in goalie, just the regulars. The Step goalie steel is like 1/2" taller than the standard RBK's. Very pricey tripple of the RBK's. And Skate Dr, you have to contact a STEP distributor, not the main company. For you I would go thru NASH.

Be sure to let us know how long the edges hold, compared to your old steel. Intervals between sharpenings.

Why? The Pitch steel is perfect. No reason for an aftermarket version. Actually the width of the Step steel would enhance the fit and the performance of the Pitch Holder even more so though. Hmmm? Just measured the Step and the Mission widths, they are the same, within .5mm. Both around 2.95mm. As with any steel there could be variations in width, but I don't think that would be enough to make any noticeable performance difference. Is there something i'm missing?

Why? The Pitch steel is perfect. No reason for an aftermarket version.

No LS2.1 yet. Step would be foolish not to produce replacement runners for the Bauer models. I checked today with two STEP distributors, neither knew anything about 2.1's, so I imagine it will be some time before we see them.

The reason why they are liked by skaters and trainers is that they are less likely to break in a game situation than the stock steel.

What skaters have told me is that they noticed extra stability and more power in heel turns with the STEPS.

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!

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.

The price is closer to $70 each, not a pair. Very tough to swallow. To some it will be worth it.

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.

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.

Hi, I know your predicament, I use to live in Southern Maryland and play up in Mt Vernon. I don't recall any LHS's in the area, I did all my business with a LHS near my home town. I really don't sell equipment like the online stores, I'm more of a local guy and really just sharpen skates my mail. Some MSHrs have asked me for stuff and I'm glad to help if their LHS doesn't have the product, but it's not something I want to get deep in to. I recommend you go to JR if you want something. This is his board, and from what many have said, he'll treat you right. If he can't then PM me and I'll see what I can do for you.

Jimmy: Actually, not to split hairs, I didn't misquote you, you mis-directed me to the "post above" rather than one 4 or 5 posts back. No wonder I was confused! And I remain confused in that you direct your customers to MSH so they can get information, yet you have repeated several times in this thread that you don't believe MSH should be "giving away information for free" because it is "cutting our own throats". As I said in my earlier post, from reading your comments in this thread... "Your stand seems to be, and I may be confused by this, that it is "much better to keep everyone UNINFORMED, so that I, the LHS, am the only source of product information and they are forced to come to me". Your second stand seems to be: "An informed person will rip me off/scam me by going and buying the product somewhere else."" Certainly the industry faces many challenges, and arguably the entire industry has been very slow to change. We agree, I believe, that brick & mortor businesses must evolve or die. Where we differ, I think, is where and in what way. I believe that a well-informed customer IS your best customer. Of all people they recognize the inherent value of a well informed and well stocked LHS. There are other areas to change; but of course, I'm not going to discuss that here, because it would be giving it away for free! Although I don't believe my business experience is relevant to the point, I'll satisfy your curiosity: Yes, I have owned a business; I am very much aware of profit and loss statements. I am now a marketing and advertising professor; I am well aware of the vast shifts in business practice and strategy as the world has transformed. And, just in case you subscribe to the adage "those that can, do: those that can't, teach" ... LOL, for many years I worked in advertising with experience in virtually every product and service category, (including both LHS and a hockey manufacturer) with a particular specialization in, and fondness for, retail. I have also developed business plans and strategies for on-line companies as well as developed strategies for retailers faced with stiff on-line and/or big box competition. I think your putting words in my mouth. I never said I want to keep customers MISINFORMED, that's your interpretation and your wording.. I have no problem ON THESE TYPE BOARDS, helping people find information about a product and do it quite often. Simply put, giving them exact instructions how to buy something on ebay or online is against my interests, and that of the local hockey stores in their area. I liken it to a auto mechanic or a doctor who worked hard learning his trade, then going on a board and posting info how to bypass their locals. The post I quoted is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. I notice you didn't have any comments about that, and that's fine. Well, got to go, I hear a guy at Coke is posting the secret recipe on a BB. :D

Hockeymom, I don't expect you to understand. Business has changed quite a bit since the online and ebay explosion. We brick and mortor stores have service as an edge over the online stores. Service includes the ability to feel, see and try on equipment and get proper fitting and advice. There is a price to pay for that service, yet some want to have it both ways. You misquoted the post I was referring about, here's the correct one: "I've got friends who recently bought skates of E-bay but used their LHS to try the skates on first to see if they liked them or not. Turns out that they saved about 400$ Cnd for XXX's. Now I personally think that it is not fair for the LHS owner as he provided a service but did not get any rewards. I think it sucks for the LHS. However, you can't blame the customer much either as he's saving a lot of money" My customers are not the enemy as you suggest. I actually have a MSH link on my website and encourage customers to visit this and other boards to get as much info as they can. Curious to know what your business is and what your internet competition is like.

I agree with you, those who don't have LHS's nearby have a dillema. When I was in the military and stationed at god-forsaken places that had no LHS's, I had to rely on advice given by phone from a trusted LHS in another part of the country. We didn't have online and ebay stores. However for every one person like you who doesn't have a LHS nearby and is using the board for true need, there are 20 who are on these boards just to save a buck, no other reason. You don't have to believe me, on this board alone you will find many posts from folks, who admit scamming their LHS, trying stuff on and then buying from ebay or online. Perfect example is the post above. Until you've been scammed, you really don't know how it feels.

You seem to understand correctly that the radius is proportunate to blade size. A smaller radius will be used on smaller size skates than larger ones. Depending on your skating style and ability, a 7 or 8' is more in line with a size 5 skate. You will not feel "tippy". However if you had a size 10 skate and put a 8' on it, yes, you could feel "tippy." That's prob what your profiling guy meant (I hope). Weight has nothing to do with radius, that effects the hollow you use.

I didn't realize this was a for sale site. If that's the case, I have everything for sale, just call. ;)

If you think the XXX goal skate is better, wait till you see the new Vector and RBK goal skates. Replaceable stainless steel, lightened and lowered holder. Sweet. I just ordered a 9k pump for me. IMO, the replaceable steel is a breakthru that will be accepted by goalies like never before. The stainless is only icing on the cake. If it's flash you want, go for the bauer. If it's fit and function (and durability), the RBK is the way to go.

Yes, exactly.

Find a LHS that knows what they are doing, not just one that does 9' on everyone, or one that only offers two choices. What radius (rocker) you need is vastly different than what others need. Never go by a recommendation of another skater. Seek advice of a professional sharpener/radius technician who can talor the rocker to your ability, position, skating style, positional play, skate size, height, as well as matching it to compliment a proper hollow. BTW, Rockering is an old term, for a service that was done freehand. It's now evolved into profiling and radiusing. Do a Google search for those terms and you will find some very helpful info.

All I'm saying is store workers should not be helping folks so they can bypass ther local LHS's. This has nothing to do with my store, but the "hockey world" as you say, in general. IIt's a macro thing, not micro. If there is no reason to go to the local LHS because you can get free fitting advice from MSH, then less folks will go to their LHS, they'll shop ebay. BTW, I don't believe I've ever mentioned the name of my store on this board.