JJStripes

Where do you play hockey? Sand and dirt in the ice? I can see where you are coming from when it comes to stuff on the rubber matting, but quite frankly that's not a big issue where I play. They bring out the Zamboni style floor scrubber every morning. Sure I step on things every once in a while, but when I do that's the nicks that I am talking about. That's when I do sharpen my skates. I am careful though. It's such a pain in the butt to replace steel and try and get them rockered properly, that I am very careful and protective of my steel. I go to great lengths to avoid getting nicks and having to sharpen all the time.

Maybe I just don't notice the dulling because it's so gradual.

Ice does not dull skates.

I am not a goalie. I skate between 15 and 20 hours a week, and I get my skates sharpened on average every 10 days. Sometimes I go two weeks. It just depends on when I get a nick. Most of my ice time is as a referee. My skates are sharpened for free by a professional equipment manager, so it's not a money thing.

What does "hold an edge" mean? Does it measure how long the steel stays sharp? If that's the case then I don't think it's relevant because I never get my skates sharpened due to dulling. I sharpen when I get nicks.

The price is closer to $70 each, not a pair. Very tough to swallow. To some it will be worth it. I'm pretty sure it's $70 for the pair. I called them yesterday and that's what I was told.

I really want to use their velocity steel next season, but at $70 a pair it's tough. Maybe we can organize a group purchase and get a good discount.

Thanks

I am really looking forward to this follow up. Based on your measurements Step steel is more than twice as wide as OEM. That's a pretty significant difference. edit: this is not true

According to their website the diameter of their steel varies depending on which holders they are going in. The steel for TUUK C+ is 6.8mm. Lightspeed is 7.4mm. Anybody know the width of Bauer OEM steel? edit: this is not true

Anybody have any experience with this company? Is their highly polished velocity steel worthwhile? I tried using the search function and I didn't find anything of use. http://www.stepskates.com/stepskates.html

In many cases the best contour or rocker for a new pair of skates is to have them match your old pair. I just went through this last week. I took the steel out of my old and new skates and used a sharpie to stencil the shape of the old on to the new. The guy who did the cross grinding did not get it exactly right the first time. I could feel that there was a little too much steel below my heals, so I brought them back and he took some more off. Now they are perfect. Point is, it might take some work, but keep trying until it feels right.