JR Boucicaut

Yeah, they are finished differently. LS3 has always had that swirly finish, whereas Step is polished. Yes - Step played by the rules when the holder came out in 2013. The US patent was granted, but not the Canadian one. So, they were okay until that happened.

All of LS3, old mount included. Never noticed that it was always made in Canada whereas all of the rest of Bauer steel was made in Asia? Had no bearing on what transpired now.

It is. Same Sandvik composition. Also, Bauer offers pro teams a LS3 version which has a more game-ready shape.

I'm just going to go ahead and assume that this is a shot at me, because I'm the only person who has posted in this thread that everyone knows what I've done and where I've been, because I've been transparent since 2004. I have absolutely nothing to "gain or perks to be had." I'm merely stating the facts that are out there. To recap - Bauer had a patent. They felt a brand, STEP, was in violation of said patent. They decided to bring a lawsuit forward, and they reached a settlement. And I know it sucks for STEP, and I know it sucks for Canadian dealers, even the ones who sold across the border. But that's how it goes.

Bauer uses the same steel composition in the LS3. You answered your last question. They have a better reputation at this point. The LS4 launch wasn't good for Bauer. But in the initial article, it states that Bauer will be offering new steel.

No, they abided by the US patent. The Canadian one was the one that was murkier...

I said that in my initial post. Old school guys perhaps remember the Oakley/Jofa Image lawsuit...it worked out for both parties in the end. It is still comical to read the posts on here and other outlets about this. It's not that serious. Remember a week ago when there was an article in The Athletic and people were shocked that most pro players didn't know anything about profiles? Now do you think they're in tune with their steel options? Once again, the EQM is the key to all of this. If an EQM is using STEP, it's because he likes their product, not because a NHL player demanded it. There isn't going to be a mass boycott of Bauer products in NHL rooms due to this. Nailed it. Bauer knew what they were doing when they patented the top geometry of the holder. You may not like it, but it is certainly within their right to do so.

They’re already in figure. They already tried a holder. But once again - most people don’t swap holders.

I think it may be due to steel height. Since almost all of Bauer's steel is tall, when you compare it to your standard SB, the SB doesn't look like it will last long.

How do you figure? I can't see how this affects Bauer at all; they weren't being compensated by STEP. And if they had a patent, and the patent is granted, they are well within their rights to enforce said patent. CCM has had a quick-release holder for less than a year. Which means the majority of CCM skates in store inventory as well as the vast majority of CCM skates on end-users' feet don't have a quick-release holder on them. And "taking over" usually means you've surpassed something. Bauer is still the top selling skate brand by a wide margin. You went ahead and started a thread about this. Leave this thread to discuss STEP products.

I believe Step has played by the rules this entire time for a reason. They sold ST-EDGE in Canada because Bauer didn't get the patent right away, so they shot their shot. The lawsuit was in 2017 - 4 years later. So now they settle and perhaps an OEM agreement is made down the road. Even though they only sold them in Canada, I'm willing to bet that ST-EDGE comprised the bulk of their sales. What part of "settlement" and "stop selling to professional leagues by December 31, 2019, and to retail accounts by April 30, 2020" is unclear here? Also, it is completely silly to think that Bauer is going to take a hit in sales based on a holder. It's Look at the threads 7 years ago with people posting on here talking about how customers were going to retrofit LS2 holders...it didn't happen. The VAST majority of retail customers don't swap their holders. The percentage of retail customers who swap holders has to be 1%, at best. The EQM usually makes that decision, and it's a decision based on convenience. Bauer will ship the steel on the skates for sure, but the EQM just swaps it out. You rarely get players coming into the room asking to use a particular steel type/brand, and if they do, they most likely have an endorsement of some sort. I do think it's going to impact service-only shops, especially if Bauer sues other brands in the steel game. Hopefully perhaps Bauer allows those shops to be able to buy steel from them, and make it so that they can make a decent resell margin.

I find it interesting that Razor puts the steel on the wrong side holder to hide the fact that two Bauer endorsees are using Step.

Coming close to last call on spots.

That CCM Vector stick was completely different from any other stick back then. It was made like a wood stick and had a very thin blade. With the foam-filled blades we have today, I can’t see how there could be an in-store process.

I haven’t seen the latest template list, so unless someone has submitted a split flat profile to Prosharp, chances are it doesn’t exist.

The profiler was at a decent price point. It’s the sharpener which is costly.

Enough with the discussion about the article posting. We’ve set rules that have been in place for 15 years. And since I’m the only one listed on the paperwork here, I would greatly appreciate not having to deal with any legal issues.

The pressure isn’t even during a pass; it actually is variable. It comes in fast and light at the toe, then slower/harder, then repeats fast/light at the heel. That way, it isn’t applying undue pressure at the heel and toe. It is impressive. Also, diamond wheels. That was the only knock that I had on it; I wasn’t that impressed with the finish. Passable, but not wow.

Two different schools of thought.

Not really if all they're offering is standard cuts. You can go see Greg and Jeff over at Total Game Plan Sports - they're former Total Hockey guys over in St. Charles; they have a Blackstone machine. Tell them I sent ya. Or you can send them to me. Refugees welcome.

After the 4th paragraph it started to feel like an advertorial for Elite. Didn't take long after to realize that I was right.

The person who posted that wasn't the one who took the pic.

Right - not talking about rust. What I'm talking about is little holes/craters on the edges and/or in the hollow.

It sounds like the steel is pitting on you. You didn't answer Buzz's question; are they being dried correctly or are you putting soakers on them and leaving them in your bag?

Mind you, I didn’t say that it was right that they did; they should’ve asked or not done it at all. I just spoke on a performance standpoint. You should ask, and should get, a replacement.