CCM u+12 Skate runners

[bnr032 11]

Hi guys,

just trying to find some information or if other people has similar issues.

The guy who sharpens my skates (u+12) had commented that he beleives my runners were very soft steel. He sharpened a 1 yr old pair of 11k reeboks same afternoon and said they were fine (you would think its the same thing).

Then he purchased some u+12s for himself. and has just messaged me saying he is having the same issues.

For any of you US based sharpeners or anyone with current CCM skates, do you have any similar stories, or any knowledge at why this is happening and or remedies.

The next option would be an upgrade for my runners. As it happens both my sharpener and myself are coming from CCm 752 Kevlar skates which had no issues.

Also since upgrading to new models i am finding that i am requiring a sharpen every 5 hrs on the ice on average.. i am not massive but approx 115kgs and 6ft tall. so i know im bigger then when i used to play 8 yrs ago. but didnt think it would be this bad.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks, Michael

[vince57 4]

binned the runners on my 12's after one skate and put in some solid steel ones from some old prolite holders,

1) they stopped clicking when i walk (yes they were tight before)

2) they feel much more rigid to skate on

3) they do sharpen to a better edge (i sharpen skates)

main reason for changing was the vented steel looks weak, i have had to weld a few of these vented runners that had broken but not as many as i thought i would, conceivably ccm may have down spec'ed the hardness of the steel to retain some flexibility and crack resistance (the harder the steel the more brittle it gets) could have harness tested the vented but i got rid of them in a deal, i do know the old solid ones showed a very hard reading of 64+ rockwell when i tested some a few weeks back.

can you not swap in your old steel?

[jimmy 194]

CCM and RBK steel was made at 2 different locations. The RBK steel is better. This year, the older CCM steel was phased out and all the runners are made of the better quality steel. I wouldn't junk your steel, it's still fine steel and has performed just fine for decades. If you still have those skates when it wears out, you can get the newer steel as a replacement.

[bnr032 11]

jimmy -

to be honest my last skates were still holding up after 4 yrs of using them(then i had a few yrs off but they only fell apart due to my feet no longer fitting).

I just cant beleive how the skates dont hold an edge... its obscene.

[jimmy 194]

That's why a lot of skaters are looking at aftermarket options, like STEP and Blackedge. Still, the new CCM/RBK steel is pretty darn good quality, IMO better than other OEM's stock steel.

BTW, one reason edges are not lasting as long is that we as a whole are simply playing more hockey. I can remember when beer league was one night a week and youth hockey max 2 days a week. Now, a lot of us old guys are playing 4 times a week, and the kids 7 or more. That's a lot of wear and likely going to require weekly sharpenings.

[bnr032 11]

i see what your saying jimmy.. which is why im talking about 5 hrs of ice time... its basically drop in hockey for an hour and a half and a game each week so its like 2 weeks give or take to get a sharpening.. My old 752s would last a couple of months before req another sharpen...

The only downside is im in australia.. so the aftermarket steel is very steep in terms of price.