VegasHockey

Regardless of how Bauer decides to "make" these "custom" skates their technology is still behind CCM and True until they move to a monocoque frame. I assume that won't happen for a few more years as they need to wait for all of that fancy hardware they bought to depreciate.

In Vegas for work this week. Been trying to find a decent dropin to get some ice time. I went to LV Ice Arena for dropin this afternoon and there was literally no one there. Can someone recommend good places, times, dates for some solid ice time. Please and thank you.

0paatoc polish and a nice buffing pad worked out well. I wonder if there's anything that I could put on it to prevent it from scratching or at least that another protective layer?

One of our regular customers recently bought a pair of custom FT1 skates and is frustrated that the toe cap is already getting beat up badly in such a short period of time. Lots of little scratches and scuffs. Nothing major, but he apparently has OCD and it's driving him insane. He asked if I could buff or polish out the scratches and while I think that shouldn't be an issue I have never tried doing such myself on a hockey skate toe cap. I tried to explain to him that wear and tear will happen, since it's hockey, but he insists his old Bauers always looked like new and didn't wear as poorly as these new skates. Seems like he is blaming CCM for their selection of plastic which he says is "too soft." Rather than debate with him endlessly. Does anyone have some input? Can I do what he is asking with 3000 grit sandpaper and a rotary buffer? Is there another option? Gracias!

That's a good price. Someone is not selling them at manufacturers pricing.

Had a customer send an email requesting to mount size 280 LS Edge holders on his True skates. He bought the skates without holders and they have not been drilled. He said they are size 7EE and the measurements I requested from him reflect that. I have never tried mounting that large of a holder on a size 7 skate, though I have done 272 without any issues. I know without seeing the skates it's all a guessing game, but he wants me to confirm we can do the mounting for him before he mails us the skate otherwise he will look for another shop to handle it.

I've tested STEP, Tydan, Byonic, Massive, Flare, and BladeTech. I would say each of them has pros and cons so it really depends on what you are looking for in your new steel. STEP used to be the best, but others have caught up and in some ways are passing them. I invested in a company recently that is developing cryogenic quenched steel which is flipping amazing. The big problem, however, is its not at a practical stage yet for production purposes on large scale. I think in a year or so it will be though.

The HD tongue sounds exactly like what he wants. Makes sense about the air mesh lining. I dont think he wants that and I always recommend clarino so we will see what he chooses. So the advanced facing would allow the eyelets to wrap over the top of the foot better, yes? Good to know about the toe cap. I think he wants two sizes up, if that's even possible, so I will make a note of it on the order sheet.

Have a customer who is ordering 3 pairs of full custom AS1 skates, two primary and the third as a back-up. He is wondering the difference between the following options below. Help is appreciated since he is dropping some serious cash buying himself 3 pairs of skates and doesn't want to make a mistake when selecting options. Tongue: Pro Tongue HPE vs EVA? He is looking for a thin and light tongue with decent protection. Becuase of the requested protection he wants, I advised against the lightweight molded tongue. Is there a better option? Liner: I have ordered all of the Clarino options before for various customers. He is wanting to know what the Air Mesh option is? Also, he noticed it says "other" as an option, which I have never noticed previously, what "other" options are there? Facing: If he orders the 1/4" advance facing, is that on both the inside and outside, or just the outside? Toe Cap: If he selects oversized, do they just source one size larger for the cap or how do they determine what size cap they provide? For example, if he wears a size 9 skate, does CCM instead use a toe cap for a 10? Again, there is an option for "other" which I have previously never seen.

I have tried to explain that to him that heel depth, instep and facing are also different and it's not only the width. I am waiting to hear back and see what he wants to do. If anything, I would rather have him buy a lesser model skate around the price he wants to spend if it fits better instead of a more expensive skate that fits poorly.

Not sure why you think the markup is low. High-end skates go for about 40% more than cost. MAP is a nightmare but its the only thing that keep the big stores like Hockey Monkey and Pure from crushing little shops like mine.

I have to agree. I think the new Ribcor line is very much a high volume and very wide skate. Where a D width in an FT1 or Super Tack would fit me a little too tightly the Ribcor 70k felt sloppy and too loose.

Our store typically doesn't stock Bauer Nexus skates will order them for customers if requests. I have a player who typically wears a Vapor or Supreme in EE width, depending on the year of the skate, request to order a Nexus 1N in a D width. His logic is that since he typically wears an EE width in other models and a D width in the Nexus would fit him fine. He is trying to save money and we can get him the Nexus 1N for 30% less than a 1S or 1X. Does anyone know the likelihood of this being true? My gut instinct is saying the skates are going to be too loose and sloppy for him. Especially since he is wearing 2015 Vapor 1x skates currently and is happy with their fit.

Doubt the customer is going to want to buy skates just to get the grey holders. Seems silly Bauer would make an item and then not make replacements parts available for warranty issues.

Yes, the ProSharp home works fine to keep a profile. A Sparx will maintain it too. It's the manual process of sharpening that usually ruins the profile over time.

Makes sense. Thanks for the insight. We have a lot of players with Pre-True skates and lower generation VH skates that are swapping to the Step holders and I have seen a few issues with getting a very flat mounting. Each time we have used a very thin piece of polycarbonate between the skate and the holder.

Bingo!

Many players do use lifts so that is a possibility. But for some, the change is negative as it affects a players center of gravity. I get a lot of older players that buy new Step/Tydan/Massive steel and want me to grind it down to an LS2 height because they hate the taller steel. The younger players are much more accustomed to the taller steel so they are already adapted to it. I am also mixed on if taller is better. The only reason why I like taller is it allows me to profile a blade one or more times without making the steel very short.

Yeah, I was considering doing RIT but the owner of the skates wants a like for like replacement. Put me in an awkward situation to either replace them with white or black and neither of those colors the customer wants. I talked toBuaer and a few others and they all told me to kick rocks. The holders are still under warranty too.

I noticed the True Gen 1 skates you show dont have the piece under the hell of the skate. I think its only cosmetic and doesn't really add any lift though.

Pretty easy to change out. Our shop does it all the time.

Our shop carries your blades and I can tell you the general feedback we have received. Pros: Very light! Colored steel is "cool." Holds a good edge. Much better than factory steel. Negatives: Wish the steel was taller like Tydan/Step. Could be harder steel. Colors wear off easily.

There are many skates that I have owned, none of them Bauer, that have looked nearly new for a long period of time despite being used heavily. I think the major changes to composite boots and such which eliminated leather/pleather and other pliable materials have made the boots stiffer but they also break down faster too. My True, Graf, and Mako II skates still look excellent.

Anyone know where these can be purchased from new or used? Bauer doesn't have them for me to order directly. Thanks!

What region are you in?