Tuuk LS2

[jeffw 1]

ICM, baby. Everything got it, even if the LHS looked like they were digging up the corpse of Mother Teresa when I had them put ICMs on my One90s.

B) Pictures please.

[bbruins8 0]

The LS2 steel is suspect at best. PITCH steel is the best I've ever skated on.

Negative ghostrider, LS2 steel and holders not only look the best, but perform just as well. I cant bomb on the pitch, as Ive never used them, but Ive. used everything else, including t'blade, and Ls2 has them beat by miles.

LS steel accounts for over half the runner replacements due to them cracking/splitting at the LHS I frequent...I ask these things.

LS come on far more than half of the skates sold to high level players in any given area.

So that is an excuse for upwards pushing 75% of the runner replacements in the pro shop I frequent to be LS2? EVERYONE on here knows that LS2 steel is suspect and brittle...Oh and BTW, round these parts a lot of people rock RBKs...little FYI.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It's the same knock Easton got for breaking sticks.

I don't see that much breakage at my stores, then again, I don't temper steel.

[BGM 0]

LS/LS2 are easier to change out than Custom+ which helps their popularity but as far as the pro level Custom+ seems to be holding pretty strong among preference. I know on the Stars I would say 75% use Custom+ over LS2/LS2 Power. It's all personal preference and also has to do with age---most players who are 18 have played in an era the last 6-7 years where LS/LS2 are the main holder when you purchase Bauer skates. Speaking of ICM, Jere Lehtinen forever has been using ICMs and I noticed this year he has LS2s.

[k.nick91 0]

The LS2 steel is suspect at best. PITCH steel is the best I've ever skated on.

Negative ghostrider, LS2 steel and holders not only look the best, but perform just as well. I cant bomb on the pitch, as Ive never used them, but Ive. used everything else, including t'blade, and Ls2 has them beat by miles.

LS steel accounts for over half the runner replacements due to them cracking/splitting at the LHS I frequent...I ask these things.

LS come on far more than half of the skates sold to high level players in any given area.

So that is an excuse for upwards pushing 75% of the runner replacements in the pro shop I frequent to be LS2? EVERYONE on here knows that LS2 steel is suspect and brittle...Oh and BTW, round these parts a lot of people rock RBKs...little FYI.

rbks as in the e-pros?

[Rustyhole 1]

The LS2 steel is suspect at best. PITCH steel is the best I've ever skated on.

Negative ghostrider, LS2 steel and holders not only look the best, but perform just as well. I cant bomb on the pitch, as Ive never used them, but Ive. used everything else, including t'blade, and Ls2 has them beat by miles.

LS steel accounts for over half the runner replacements due to them cracking/splitting at the LHS I frequent...I ask these things.

LS come on far more than half of the skates sold to high level players in any given area.

in my area more players of any level skate on LS2's hence more returns. but also more market share for Bauer. More returns doesn't necessarily mean worse steel.

[TBLfan 25]

Exactly, I bet nearly all shops see more broken PITCH runners than thermablade runners.

I find the steel on LS2 fine BUT it doesn't hold an edge very well, but it only costs me one MAYBE two ice times max.

[jimmy 194]

in my area more players of any level skate on LS2's hence more returns. but also more market share for Bauer. More returns doesn't necessarily mean worse steel.

That would make sense if the percentage of breakage was equal in other brands but it is not. LS2 steel breaks easier, that is well known. If Bauer would just improve their steel quality, they would have a all-around fantastic product, but since the steel used on the orig vapors was discontinued, their steel has been poor. I don't even sell Bauer brand replacement runners anymore, too much of a hassle. The after-markets are superior.

[Nealoc187 10]

What makes one blade holder "better" than another? I've never skated on anything but Tuuk Plus because that's what all my skates have come with, and when I had to replace holders that's what I went with. It wasn't until very recently when I started coming on this forum that I really started noticing the different preferences people have for different types of holders, etc. Honestly I thought all the new blade holders were just for looks.

As stated I've been skating on Tuuk Plus for like 12-15 years now (my old Bauer Supreme Custom 4000s and now my new-in-box from ebay Micron Mega Air 90s).

How does the Tuuk Plus blade holder and steel compare to what's available now? What sort of improvements might I see if I were to change?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Canstar steel was absolutely awesome.

[Law Goalie 147]

Quick question, jimmy:

Have you ever looked at the "Velocity" steel that Step offers? The only difference (as far as I've heard) is that it has a mirror-finish (not plated) on the sides of the blade. It's available in all their models/sizes of replacement steel.

Since finish is to key to a good sharpening, it seems to be a pretty good idea. Any experience/thoughts?

[sitzlejd 0]

If I do decide to switch out how do I know which size to get? The skates that would get the holder/steel are Graf 503s size 10. I'm leaning toward Mission or Custom+.

Also, how are the Eastons pitched compared to other brands out there. From what puckmugger says (who knows if this guy is reliable) Tuuks and CCM are pretty neutral, Cobra is extremely forward, etc. So does anyone know where an Easton fits in with these. Thanks.

[mrusse01 0]

well damn it...looking into the whole profiling/new steel issue yesterday and what do you know, block a shot last night a pops goes my LS2 steel, cracked right in half.

going to just hockey tonight to check out the step steel.

[Law Goalie 147]

I'd love to get your impressions on the Step stuff - especially if JH has/recommends the Velocity runners over the regular Step stainless ones.

[mrusse01 0]

sure, i'll let you know how it turns out, i'm interested in the velocity runners as well....might not get out there tonight though because of the ridiculous weather down here right now.

[jimmy 194]

Quick question, jimmy:

Have you ever looked at the "Velocity" steel that Step offers? The only difference (as far as I've heard) is that it has a mirror-finish (not plated) on the sides of the blade. It's available in all their models/sizes of replacement steel.

Since finish is to key to a good sharpening, it seems to be a pretty good idea. Any experience/thoughts?

The Velocity's are a better quality steel than the regular Step, but very costly. I don't think most players want to spend $80 to replace their steel. If you are rich, certainly go for it, but otherwise the regular Step is head and shoulders better than stock.