Bent Steel

[mike_big_mac 1]

Just curious if anyone else has had similar issues...

I skated in TotalONEs last year and after getting rid of a HORRIBLE lace bite problem, I fell in love with the skates up until I discovered that my steel was bent. I promptly took them back to my LHS who sent them back to Bauer. Viola! New skates a month later. A month after that, boom, bent steel again... I finally gave up on the skates and now find myslef in APXs. I've had them now for about 3 months... I don't play as often as I would like and I rarely sharpen my skates... Last week I felt as if I were a beginner skater. I could barely stay on my feet I found that I was missing one complete edge (not sure weather that happened part way through the game or if it were missing the entire game)... I had them sharpened last night and upon inspection, I find a bend in the steel. I had the same "uneasy" feeling on my feet in the TotalONEs last year and it got me thinking...

Questions:

1. Has any one else out there had trouble with the crummy steel in their TOs or APXs?

2. Is it possible that because of the top half of the blade is aluminum and bottom half is stainless steel that the blades are getting over heated during sharpening and warping?

Suggestions?

[Chadd 916]

are they bent into a shallow "c" shape or in some other way?

[mike_big_mac 1]

Looking down on my left skate it would look like a backwards C (over-exaggerated of course)... its slightly off centre and curve begins more towards my heel. If you were to place the steel on a flat level surface, you can rock one side of the steel, but not the other.

[Chadd 916]

I've seen it happen over time from blocking shots, but never without some type of impact. Assuming, of course, that they were straight to begin with.

[jimmy 194]

Take the steel out, if the bend disappears then it's the holder that is out of alignment. Simple fix, pull some rivits and remount with a couple of new holes as well. Pretty common, holders can shift from impact, loose rivits, and also mounted wrong at factory.

[Chadd 916]

Take the steel out, if the bend disappears then it's the holder that is out of alignment. Simple fix, pull some rivits and remount with a couple of new holes as well. Pretty common, holders can shift from impact, loose rivits, and also mounted wrong at factory.

I used to see factory problems all the time, just not the holders shifting to the point of bending the steel after purchase.

[jimmy 194]

I was being nice, bu

I used to see factory problems all the time, just not the holders shifting to the point of bending the steel after purchase.

t yes one manufacturer is well know for mismounted holders.

[Rockingsquat 4]

In all honesty a minor bend won't do much to your skating. The only trouble is that a bent steel is obviously impossible to sharpen properly.. so basically your skates are useless.

But before replacing any parts on your skate you can try this easy and cheap fix (but not really good for your skate especially the outsole) if it's C-shaped. Try to unbent it by pushing the area of the holder (with the steel in) where the bend is against a table corner.. the result wont be perfect for sure.

An experienced sharpening guy should be able to do that for.

It looks like the LS2 holders are shit lately..

Eg : I've never seen it on one95 but i've seen it a lot on TO and one100..

[donkers 31]

I have the same problem with bent steel. I attribute it to running into the goal post a lot. I don't know why but I seem to have a problem with doing that.

[Davetronz 109]

Yup. I see a fair number of bent steel on new skates due to improperly aligned holders. As Jimmy stated, it's a pretty simple fix for a LHS tech who knows what they're doing.

[S'land9.16.7 6]

I had this problem with my last pair of TotalONEs as they started breaking down. I don't believe my new ones have started bending yet. Knock on wood.

[jsykes 35]

We've seen this A LOT with fusion steel in both TOs and APX skates. I think that since half of the blade is much softer aluminum, it simply bends much easier than a solid piece of steel.

My personal TO skates were slightly bent the first time I went to sharpen them. I have two other employees that have used TOs and APX and both suffered bent steel pretty early on, one just put in LS2 and other BlackEdge and have not had issues since.

I think its just a softer runner and if you're hard or playing at a high level, they're just bending easier. Try a pair of LS2 steel in them before sending them back and see if you get the same issue as quickly.

Also, slightly bent steel is not that big of a deal to fix. Most good shops should have a tool that can help put them back pretty damn close to straight.

[notquitedeadyet 13]

I've also seen a bunch of bent and broken fusion steel. Usually the player doesn't even know when its broken because the aluminum is holding the steel pieces together. They ask for a sharpening because their edge feels funny. Its gotten to the point that even with new Bauers, I'll try to talk them into letting me get them Step Steel before they have problems.

My son has a pair of TO's that came from Bauer with Ls3 steel. I'm told thats standard issue for the college & pro player skates.

[Jason 65]

I'd say correct any mount issues and throw some Step steel in them. Fusion is garbage IMO.

[jimmy 194]

I'd say correct any mount issues and throw some Step steel in them. Fusion is garbage IMO.

I have to disagree, while Fusion is not the best quality steel, its purpose is to be light, and it is there that it has a benefit. With lightness comes issues, but it stands up performance wise to heavier steel.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Agreed with Jimmy.

Jason, you're shilling a bit too hard.

This and what was posted in the Bauer thread isn't a good look.

[zachary 2]

I've had this problem on both my TOs and APX. The guy at the LHS said he's noticed it alot on new pairs he was selling as well.

[mike_big_mac 1]

Hey guys sorry for going MIA on ya's for a few days. Busy, busy over here. Interesting inputs from what I've read. As a consumer, I must raise this point: "I spend $800+ on a pair of skates and am having issue after issue with 'bent' steel. At what point is/will Bauer take responsibility?" I HAVE given some thought to putting in BlackEdge (a few guys in my league use 'em and one of the refs here use them too... haven't heard any positive reviews here. Durability is a real issue and none have noticed any 'improvement' with edges/bite like the runner boasts) or Step Steel as a replacement. At some point, Bauer is going to get sick of me returning skate after skate. (This will be pair #3 in just over a year) Why should I be out the money on skates that just aren't performing up to the standard? Am I complaining too much?

[Davetronz 109]

Well, I wouldn't necessarily look at returning the skate for you. I'd re-mount the holder, straighten the blade (if re-mounting didn't fix the problem immediately) and continue to observe to see if the problem returns. Some shops aren't comfortable doing this, and they'd simply try the warranty route.

Also, as a consumer, once my holders were straight, I'd probably look at picking up a different set of steel (if I had quality issues w Fusion) rather than break in a new boot again.

Are you complaining too much? No. You purchased a top of the line skate and you'd think that the holders would be mounted squarely on the boot. I don't think it's too much to ask for, yet it seems to be a significant problem with new skates lately.

[Jason 65]

Agreed with Jimmy.

Jason, you're shilling a bit too hard.

This and what was posted in the Bauer thread isn't a good look.

Hey, I love Bauer. I've skated in their skates for the better part of my life. They are the top dog in the game. They can handle a little criticism. What ever happened to freedom of speech?

I just think that the steel portion of the LS Fusion runner is poor quality. I sharpen them all the time. The composition of the steel is different than LS2 or LS3 which are decent IMO. If the weight and performance gains were worth it, then more pros would use it, but I don't really know of any that do. I'm only telling like it is. I stand to gain nothing from promoting Step either. I don't work for them. If they sell a million more blades, I won't see a dime, so a shill I am not. I agree that my words were a bit harsh, however I don't really see the need to come down on me for it. It feels a little big brother to me.

[Chadd 916]

Our goal is to cut through the hype and bias and find the truth about products.

[Jason 65]

I couldn't agree more, Chadd.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I have to agree in part with Jason I wouldn't call them garbage but I would say they are not the best runner they have come up with.

I would use the LS2 or LS3 over the fusion any day. And when having to do team skates they can be nothing but a hassle if they are low in blade when clamping. I always do them last incase there is a problem.

[zachary 2]

I have to agree in part with Jason I wouldn't call them garbage but I would say they are not the best runner they have come up with.

I would use the LS2 or LS3 over the fusion any day. And when having to do team skates they can be nothing but a hassle if they are low in blade when clamping. I always do them last incase there is a problem.

They are low already to begin with when new.

[mike_big_mac 1]

I finally had a chance and took my skate over to my LHS.... they're going to run some "diagnostic tests" on my skates. Come on guys... this isn't rocket science *face palm*... I'll let y'all know the out come of their "tests" lol