Step Steel

[Speedz98 15]

is there any database around that has list of different steel, how much they weight, and their benefits?

[ktang 34]

My father is a metallurgist and has access to very high powermicroscopes, so I had my brother (who works at a local hockey shop) grab some broken step steel and just some stock Bauer LS2 steel. When examined, both were not only the same quality steel, but even came from the same company. They're are both the same steel, one just has a polished finish on it. Not worth the extra money.

This is anecdotal, but: about 7 yrs ago I got a pair of Bauer 8090s with LS2 steel. This LS2 steel didn't hold its edges very well, and you could see the spike at the point where the laser cutting started and ended. This spike caused the steel to shift around in the holder until I ground it off. Because this LS2 steel didn't hold its edges very well, I was sharpening them all the time, and then replaced them with Step steel, which required much less sharpening.

Last year I got a pair of 2nd-hand One95s with LS2.1 steel. It holds its edges as well as the Step steel, and I can go an equal amount of time between sharpenings as with the Step steel. I'm still using this steel, whereas with the other LS2 steel it was done after 6 months.

Maybe the newer Bauer steel is comparable to the the Step steel. I do like the taller Step steel, though - a major advantage for replacement steel.

[hockeyfan77 0]

Hey malcb33, is your review of the Titanium coated step up on the boards anywhere? Looked in the LTR section and couldn't find it. Would love to see more of your thoughts about this product

[malcb33 95]

No, I've been meaning to do one (not an official LTR) but I haven't got around to it yet. I'll try get something up this weekend if I can get a chance.

[Haggerty 142]

switched out my ls2's to step steel speed and huge difference on the ice feel more glide and so far the edges are strong.

[interpathway 9]

Bout time Haggy.

[tyson_two 0]

still waiting for those titanium coated runners... anybody have some? want to share some more pics? LOL..

[Haggerty 142]

Bout time Haggy.

yeah them LS2's have nothing on step steel.. haven't had step steel since my 705's, i have missed it.

[malcb33 95]

still waiting for those titanium coated runners... anybody have some? want to share some more pics? LOL..

They are officially in production now (finally) and should be out very soon. Step should be releasing more details on the facebook page soon: https://www.facebook...114819765333209

Edited September 13, 2012 by malcb33

[Speedz98 15]

Which is lighter, step steel or ls 2.1?

[interpathway 9]

I'd venture to guess original 2.1 steel, given SSs taller height.

[malcb33 95]

If your worried about weight, try the Ti-SS (Step Titanium fusion style) steel. Lighter than LS2.1 and has way better edge retention.

[jimmy 194]

If your worried about weight, try the Ti-SS (Step Titanium fusion style) steel. Lighter than LS2.1 and has way better edge retention.

Any aftermarket steel is better than LS2.1. But tell me, is the TI-SS on the market?

[malcb33 95]

Its not far off and the poster asked a general question.

Edited September 14, 2012 by malcb33

[ACE 22 QC 5]

Hello, I work with Step Skates. Let me clear things up;:

- We offer replacement runners in all models and sizes, in high quality Stainless Steel. All our blades go through extensive quality control operations to ensure they are within the standards that we have established.

- We also offer all these models and sizes in our V-Steel. The V-Steel is a highly polished blade. The smoother the side finish, the better edge surface.

- We are now offering Goldsteel and BlackSteel. Both are coated runners. GoldSteel: Ceramic based Titanium coating. Blacksteel: DLC coating. Both are coated on a V-Steel surface wich is a upgrade. The coated blades will start being available early october. It will take a certain transition period for stores/shops to get in on these new blades.

Visit the Step Skating Blade facebook page. For now, it is the most up to date source of info.

[stuie7 6]

I'd love to know which one is better between the two new models.

Will definitely invest in one of them to replace current Step Velocity in the future.

[ACE 22 QC 5]

Im about to make the switch from reebok to bauer supreme, and have been reading about the different pitch of the two brands. I've become very comfortable on my reeboks but they are simply falling apart due to lack of stiffness. When the new Bauers arrive, I dont want to suffer through a harsh transition phase if at all possible. I'm considering step steel after reading through this thread as some seem to think it is more forward pitch as opposed to LS2.1. Just wondering if people think its worth buying Step for this reason, or is it really not that big of a deal and I'll get used to the pitch of LS2.1 quickly?? I skate with a fairly deep knee bend compared to most people if that makes a difference. Also, if I were to go down the Step route, what is the stock profile on them??

All STEP models have a 10 foot radius

[zebra_steve 11]

On the Ti Nitride coating... didn't ccm have this on their SLM blades back int the 1980's?

ChrisMolnar,

Just curious, did your dad do a rockwell C test? Polish and etch the samples to compare grain structure - photo-micrographs maybe? Maybe some sort of spectrometer test to determine the chemical composition of the samples? I'd be curious about the details as I've spent some time in a metallurgy lab myself.....

[JR Boucicaut 3759]

Bauer/Tuuk also had a Titanium blade as well.

[top 1974 0]

Hello, I work with Step Skates. Let me clear things up;:

- We offer replacement runners in all models and sizes, in high quality Stainless Steel. All our blades go through extensive quality control operations to ensure they are within the standards that we have established.

- We also offer all these models and sizes in our V-Steel. The V-Steel is a highly polished blade. The smoother the side finish, the better edge surface.

- We are now offering Goldsteel and BlackSteel. Both are coated runners. GoldSteel: Ceramic based Titanium coating. Blacksteel: DLC coating. Both are coated on a V-Steel surface wich is a upgrade. The coated blades will start being available early october. It will take a certain transition period for stores/shops to get in on these new blades.

Visit the Step Skating Blade facebook page. For now, it is the most up to date source of info.

ACE - Thanks for the update.

With the gold and black coated blades, do you have to be careful when you are honing the skate blade, or avoid honing altogether?

thanks,

Bill

Edited October 11, 2012 by top 1974

[malcb33 95]

Using a stone will take the coating off, so its best to avoid it (and tell your sharpener not to as well). The blades sharpen pretty well, but you can use leather to debur if needed.

[KoT 2]

malcb33

Where i can order Ti-SS now?

Thanks

[ACE 22 QC 5]

I do not recommend honing the BlackSteel and Goldsteel. The side coating being so hard, the burr will usually break off. I recomment using a "scotch brite" type cloth or a piece of leather. Most of the sharpeners that I've spoken with told me they still slighly hone the blade with a very fine stone. Its really sharpeners preference, but honing with a stone is not recommended.

The TI-SS is not yet available. We had a few setbacks and we are working on this project in parallel with a partial Titanium figure blade. We are moving forward and looking to get a more accurate production date.

Thanks

[JR Boucicaut 3759]

Spoke to Guillaume - the BlackSteel will be coming out soon; Gold will be on hold for the foreseeable future.

[jimmy 194]

Spoke to Guillaume - the BlackSteel will be coming out soon; Gold will be on hold for the foreseeable future.

Funny you say that, I have some Gold on the way from distributor, it was the black they said they didn't have yet.

I do not recommend honing the BlackSteel and Goldsteel. The side coating being so hard, the burr will usually break off. I recomment using a "scotch brite" type cloth or a piece of leather. Most of the sharpeners that I've spoken with told me they still slighly hone the blade with a very fine stone. Its really sharpeners preference, but honing with a stone is not recommended.

The TI-SS is not yet available. We had a few setbacks and we are working on this project in parallel with a partial Titanium figure blade. We are moving forward and looking to get a more accurate production date.

Thanks

One of my customers who can't always get up to me was letting his local guy hone his Blackedges, and that coating came off fairly easily. In my experience with DLC, honing is just not necessary, I've neve had to hone a pair to take off sharpening slivers because they just don't sliver.