Tuuk custom+ vs. Easton Razor Bladz II

[boomer029 0]

Just picked up some EQ40's with the stock razor bladz II holder and I actually like the skates quite a bit. The holder/steel feels pretty good to me, but I can't compare it to much else. I'm coming from graf 625's that were 2 sizes too big with tuuk custom+ holders. I was working on some edge control today with the eq40's and it feels like my weight is really on my heels more than usual (this isn't a problem during a normal forward stride). As much as I try to get my weight more on the balls of my feet I seem to just shift the weight back. I don't mind this feeling when I'm turning, because I get nice deep cut out of the turn, but for edge control it usually forces me to lose my balance, or have to stop the drill because I've slowed down too much.

The reason I'm making this post is because I always thought the tuuk holders, put you on your heels (from what I've read), and the razor bladz II put you more on your toes. Maybe it's just me, I'm a good skater, but it's been a few months since I've skated, and it's been even longer since I've done any kind of edge work.

I'm gonna give it a few more runs before I consider switching back to the custom+ or consider a different holder.

Any ideas on why this is happening, and recommendations to help?

Thanks guys...

[chippa13 1844]

The Easton blade tends to have more steel at the heel. What you're feeling is not actually being back on your heels so much as the heel of the blade hitting the ice earlier than you are accustomed to with the custom +. When I still had the Easton holders on my RS skates I had the heels shaved to shape them more similar to the Tuuk blade shape. It worked good enough for about 6 months until I broke down and made the swap to Tuuk Edge holders with LS2 steel.

[boomer029 0]

The Easton blade tends to have more steel at the heel. What you're feeling is not actually being back on your heels so much as the heel of the blade hitting the ice earlier than you are accustomed to with the custom +. When I still had the Easton holders on my RS skates I had the heels shaved to shape them more similar to the Tuuk blade shape. It worked good enough for about 6 months until I broke down and made the swap to Tuuk Edge holders with LS2 steel.

How do you like those compared to the Easton's? Is it an easy swap? I live in south Texas, so I'd have to send my skates out or make the 4 hour drive to Dallas.

[chippa13 1844]

I like the Tuuk holders/steel better. I think I've been on Custom + for the better part of the last 30 years so I might be a little biased. The last 3 pairs of skates that I had before the RS all got the swap to custom + at some point. The holes line up if you're thinking of doing the swap so it shouldn't be too hard for a shop that has at least a bit of a clue of what they're doing.

[boomer029 0]

I like the Tuuk holders/steel better. I think I've been on Custom + for the better part of the last 30 years so I might be a little biased. The last 3 pairs of skates that I had before the RS all got the swap to custom + at some point. The holes line up if you're thinking of doing the swap so it shouldn't be too hard for a shop that has at least a bit of a clue of what they're doing.

Ok cool. Definitely going to consider this. Also, I was actually just thinking, if it's just the steel that's the problem...should I try swapping that out first? And if so, what do you recommend for that holder.

[Monty22 833]

Instead of replacing the steel, or the holders and steel I would try getting a profile to match the custom+ . Probably the most cost effective thing to start with.

[chippa13 1844]

I gave that a shot on my RS pair and while it improved somewhat it is still hard to get that same feel and you can only tinker with the profile so much before frustration takes over.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Best thing to do is to get solid steel for the Eastons. They do feel pretty good once you ditch the Parabolic.

[stick9 896]

I went from the Easton to the custom+. I actually liked the easton holder and found the steel to hold a decent edge. When I went to the custom+ I felt flat footed (neutral). That was quickily fixed with a proper profiling.

Try the profiling first. It's an easy and cheap first step.

[boomer029 0]

Which steel did you have on the Easton's? The parabolic? I think I will likely do the profile first. It's frustrating not having a LHS around to do some quick adjustments. I know there's a long thread on the step steel, but if I threw some stock step steel, would those feel similar to the parabolic as far as being on the heels?

[jimmy 194]

I like the Tuuk holders/steel better. I think I've been on Custom + for the better part of the last 30 years so I might be a little biased. The last 3 pairs of skates that I had before the RS all got the swap to custom + at some point. The holes line up if you're thinking of doing the swap so it shouldn't be too hard for a shop that has at least a bit of a clue of what they're doing.

That's odd because the Tuuk+ holder is nothing like the new LS2 edge holder.

To the OP, don't do anything till you skate on those 5 or 6 six times. You have to give it some time for your body mechanics to adjust to the new boot and brand new steel. Even if you would have changed skates to a different one with a Tuuk+ holder with new tuuk steel, you still would have issues until your mechanics adjust. There are a lot of factors, especially the condition of your old Tuuk+ steel. How old was it, how many times was it sharpened, is it bananna shaped? Going to new steel is always going to feel awkward at first. Also, I believe the EQ40's had elite steel, not parabolic. They are neutral, same as Tuuk+. Again, I suggest you skate on them a while before you do anything.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

That's odd because the Tuuk+ holder is nothing like the new LS2 edge holder.

To the OP, don't do anything till you skate on those 5 or 6 six times. You have to give it some time for your body mechanics to adjust to the new boot and brand new steel. Even if you would have changed skates to a different one with a Tuuk+ holder with new tuuk steel, you still would have issues until your mechanics adjust. There are a lot of factors, especially the condition of your old Tuuk+ steel. How old was it, how many times was it sharpened, is it bananna shaped? Going to new steel is always going to feel awkward at first. Also, I believe the EQ40's had elite steel, not parabolic. They are neutral, same as Tuuk+. Again, I suggest you skate on them a while before you do anything.

The middle of the steel is still parabolic, with additional cutouts.

Solid steel on RBII makes it a completely different holder feel.

[stick9 896]

Which steel did you have on the Easton's? The parabolic? I think I will likely do the profile first. It's frustrating not having a LHS around to do some quick adjustments. I know there's a long thread on the step steel, but if I threw some stock step steel, would those feel similar to the parabolic as far as being on the heels?

I had the Elite steel, not the parabolic, but it still had cutouts in it.

Looks like you are on the right path, and there is lots of info in this thread.

[chippa13 1844]

I think part of it for me is the blade shape and height of the custom +/LS2 compared to Easton steel.

[Monty22 833]

Do the original Easton Kevlar Razor Bladz hole pattern line up with the current Razor II holders? Is the steel interchangeable? A guy on my team found a pair of NOS Eastons but doesn't care for the holders ( too heavy).