VegasHockey

I actually liked this and wish it would come back.

Correct

I'm excited about the I2 version personally.

Catalogs can be found here:

I haven't seen helicopter tape in person, I will have to order some

YMMV. For example, I don't even us 3/4"on standard 3mm steel, I use a 1" or shallower. The XC Blade is 3.4mm in the middle, so you definitely want to adjust the hollow. When I tested it on 3/4" I almost killed myself catching edges on skating transitions.

Yup

You need to go with a more shallow hollow.

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/CloudBuyer-Universal-Protection-Anti-Collision-Transparent/dp/B08535P2QH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WVZTDEQTQBTI&keywords=clear%2Burethane%2Btape%2Bprotection&qid=1678856344&sprefix=clear%2Burethane%2Btape%2Bprotection%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1&th=1

Maybe his new skates are too stiff and inhibit forward flex. He also doesn't lace the top eyelet. Also, looking at his KHL pictures, it seems he always used semi-small tongues.

They need to get some better ambassadors for hockey, Elliott McDermott is not an ideal "poster boy." 3 points in 35 games.... Maybe get Bedard to wear it 😉 Overall, I cannot disagree with what it does and the science behind it. Seems pretty straight forward.

I personally Iike the way it looks.

We are just comparing steel brands. Nothing specific to any holder type. Agreed. Finish is great but not durable.

Yes. It's not very durable compared to the DLC process used by others.

Agreed. Better quality steel is going to yield more ROI than any coating.

Maybe this means CCM will finally start to trend, lowering the cost of their skates 😉 Fingers crossed!

IMO, the coating all don't really add much, if any, performance value overall. Its more aesthetic. I would rather have 2 sets of stainless instead of one pair of DLC. If money is not an issue, then just get the DLC.

They would feel mostly the same. The SB 4.0 holder is a little more rigid, though. Personally, I had using tools to have to swap steel, which is i why I dislike the SB 4.0 holders.

No.

I think it's great they are dumping it. As a store owner, I can tell you that the process is a nightmare for everyone other than the customer. As was mentioned, even after this guarantee is gone you can always buy skates at Pure Hockey and have 30 days to use and return if you dislike them.

That's why I think some company just needs to make a titanium cage with more spacing between the bars to provide better visibility. Doesn't need CSA or HECC certifications as the primary purpose would be for players that are not playing in USA Hockey sanctioned games, such as beer league or pickup.

The newest TRUE DLC steel is pretty good compared to the previous ONYX. Not better than STEP or JRZ. Bauer Pulse Ti is also decently good. Edge retention is good, but the steel seems a little softer so it get damages and gouged easily. Flare DLC needs some work, not very durable, and it separates from the steel easily. They also had some quality control issues recently with the company that was manufacturing the blades, as the steel they used dint have enough elasticity and instead would snap/break under load or when you took a shot off the steel. Not better than STEP or JRZ. JRZ and STEP are the best when it comes to DLC. I believe they are both using the same company for their coatings. No comment about Bladetech, I have not used their DLC and only used their black coated steel. It's been a long while since I touched their steel, the steel is good and sharpens nicely, but I didn't like the "flex" zone. RamonEdge has a coated steel, it's not DLC, but the coating is decently durable. Since their steel is slightly wider than 2.9mm, closer to 3.1mm I think it holds an edge well. Not better than STEP or JRZ. XC Blades, their DLC is very good. However, not better than STEP or JRZ.

This is a decent recommendation, except that it doesn't account for the areas where the skate is designed to flex. There was a really nice infographic released a few years back that showed where on each model they stiffen the boot, but I can't seem to find it online. Maybe someone else can.

I think it might be good practically, but the thing is UGLY.

Let's just blame Bauer for all of this, putting that stupid marking on the back of sticks 😛