Steel is pitting - can I replace it?

[nikkatnight 4]

I have a pair of Reebok Pump 4Ks, which I love. I've had them less than a year but the steel on the left skate is pitting, and even if I get them sharpened and they are able to get the pits out, they come back. There doesn't seem to be a screw where I can remove the holder/steel and replace it. Can I replace the steel on the 4Ks?

[kovalchuk71 212]

You can replace the steel, but I believe you have to replace the entire holder/runner as the steel is fused to the holder.

[Tyler Roy 86]

As already stated you can replace the steel with a higher grade stainless but you would need to replace the holder along with the steel. Quick question, when you air your gear out do you remove your skate covers or soakers? If not all that moister will sit on the blades and create issues like pitting or rust. When I air my skates out I always wipe the blade and boot down and let them sit our with the soakers off and the footbeds out.

I must say if you were looking to replace the holders and steel you might be better off buying a newer boot that comes with that already on there. Holders+steel+mouinting is a chunk of coin.

I have a pair of Reebok Pump 4Ks, which I love. I've had them less than a year but the steel on the left skate is pitting, and even if I get them sharpened and they are able to get the pits out, they come back. There doesn't seem to be a screw where I can remove the holder/steel and replace it. Can I replace the steel on the 4Ks?

[nikkatnight 4]

As already stated you can replace the steel with a higher grade stainless but you would need to replace the holder along with the steel. Quick question, when you air your gear out do you remove your skate covers or soakers? If not all that moister will sit on the blades and create issues like pitting or rust. When I air my skates out I always wipe the blade and boot down and let them sit our with the soakers off and the footbeds out.

I must say if you were looking to replace the holders and steel you might be better off buying a newer boot that comes with that already on there. Holders+steel+mouinting is a chunk of coin.

Honestly, I don't remove the soakers but I see now why I should. Replacing the holder too would be fine - would a shop have to do that? Any idea on the cost? I was thinking about getting new skates but I really like the 4ks and I'd like to get more use out of them.

[Tyler Roy 86]

Replacing the holders can be done at home with the right tools and part but more often than not you would bring them to a shop. Prices range depending on store. If you were looking at skates and wanted to stick with Reebok the 12K might be where you start, comes with the holder and steel that you can replace if needed. Good price point as well.

Honestly, I don't remove the soakers but I see now why I should. Replacing the holder too would be fine - would a shop have to do that? Any idea on the cost? I was thinking about getting new skates but I really like the 4ks and I'd like to get more use out of them.

[althoma1 575]

Pricing can vary from shop to shop, but using hockeygiant as a baseline you'd be looking at about $45/holder and runner so $90 right there plus about another $30 to mount them. http://www.hockeygiant.com/rbk10ebhldrnsr.html

So around $120 plus taxes would be a rough estimate - could be a bit more or less.

At that price I'd definitely seriously consider new skates - if you like Reebok skates you can try to find a closeout model in your size (perhaps a 6K or 8K in the previous RBK line) for barely more money. Spending over $100 fixing up a lower end model just isn't that cost effective - if they were newer top of the line skates it would make more sense.

[chippa13 1844]

Replacing the holders is definitely something that you would want a shop to do since they'll have the tools and you'll have recourse should something go wrong. What you may want to do is upgrade the holders to the Reebok/CCM EPro holder so that way the steel can be replaced with the turn of a couple screws should you have issues in the future.

Upgrading skates is always another option.

[nikkatnight 4]

Pricing can vary from shop to shop, but using hockeygiant as a baseline you'd be looking at about $45/holder and runner so $90 right there plus about another $30 to mount them. http://www.hockeygiant.com/rbk10ebhldrnsr.html

So around $120 plus taxes would be a rough estimate - could be a bit more or less.

At that price I'd definitely seriously consider new skates - if you like Reebok skates you can try to find a closeout model in your size (perhaps a 6K or 8K in the previous RBK line) for barely more money. Spending over $100 fixing up a lower end model just isn't that cost effective - if they were newer top of the line skates it would make more sense.

Good info, thank you. I think I'm going to look into the 12ks. Getting new steel for that amount of money wouldn't be worth it.

[ktang 34]

If you can grind the pits out, and if you know to dry the blades properly and leave them uncovered, you can just keep your current skates and blades. Just the preventive maintenance will keep them OK.