Fusion Runner Replacement T1 NXG's

[paulhonda 0]

I know this topic has been brought up many times before so forgive me. What is the best Bauer steel replacement for the fusion steel in my skates? Size 9.0 EE I believe is a 280 length. LS2 or

LS3. What is the best quality steel from Bauer? Should I go Step or Black Edge. I play minor midget AAA and I am on the ice 5 to 6 times per week. I sharpen FBV with a 95/75. The Fusion runners need to be replaced as they are already done after half a year of use. Any feedback would be great.

[mc88 160]

From my experience with the LS2 holder (3-4 ice sessions per week and between 1½-3 hours on the ice):

- Fusion is decent, prone to breaking in the center, and holds an edge for 1-2 weeks (around $120)

- LS2 is decent, holds an edge for about 1-2 weeks (around $50-$60)

- LS3 is good, has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and holds an edge for about 2-3 weeks (around $50-$60)

- Step Steel has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and it's supposed to hold an edge for 1 - 2 months or longer for some (around $60-$120) (I can't say for sure that I'd recommend it since I'm currently in my second day of using them, but so far, they're holding up nice)

Don't know about Black Edge as I have never tried it.

[jimmy 194]

If you go thru steel in 6 months your best bet would be STEP Blacksteel, wont need to be sharpened as often as regular stainless and it's taller for longer sharpening life.

[Amiroo39 121]

From my experience with the LS2 holder (3-4 ice sessions per week and between 1½-3 hours on the ice):

- Fusion is decent, prone to breaking in the center, and holds an edge for 1-2 weeks (around $120)

- LS2 is decent, holds an edge for about 1-2 weeks (around $50-$60)

- LS3 is good, has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and holds an edge for about 2-3 weeks (around $50-$60)

- Step Steel has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and it's supposed to hold an edge for 1 - 2 months or longer for some (around $60-$120) (I can't say for sure that I'd recommend it since I'm currently in my second day of using them, but so far, they're holding up nice)

Don't know about Black Edge as I have never tried it.

What's your reasoning behind an LS3 holding and edge longer over an LS2?? Steel is steel, regardless of height.

[mc88 160]

Just held an edge longer for me. Not sure why, but it did.

[Amiroo39 121]

I know this topic has been brought up many times before so forgive me. What is the best Bauer steel replacement for the fusion steel in my skates? Size 9.0 EE I believe is a 280 length. LS2 or

LS3. What is the best quality steel from Bauer? Should I go Step or Black Edge. I play minor midget AAA and I am on the ice 5 to 6 times per week. I sharpen FBV with a 95/75. The Fusion runners need to be replaced as they are already done after half a year of use. Any feedback would be great.

Go with step black or black edge, it costs a bit more but since you're on the ice quite a few times a week, you'll probably need to only sharpen once a week or once every two weeks. If it's two costly then go with the LS3 so you get more life out of it from the extra 3mm, however the steel is identical to an LS2.

[jonesy9020 77]

Has anyone noticed much of a difference between the S.Stainless runners on mid-line Bauer skates vs. LS2 steel? May be just because I'm used to Tuuk runners from like 2003, but I don't feel much difference between the two.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

What's your reasoning behind an LS3 holding and edge longer over an LS2?? Steel is steel, regardless of height.

Steel is not steel. Thats like saying Cars are Cars they roll down the road. Steel quality is far different from s.stainless to LS2 to LS3. and now LS4. If it was all the same they would only have one kind of steel. To the point of the above poster commenting on length of time holding an edge. The better quality steel will hold an edge longer during regular use.

[mc88 160]

Steel is not steel. Thats like saying Cars are Cars they roll down the road. Steel quality is far different from s.stainless to LS2 to LS3. and now LS4. If it was all the same they would only have one kind of steel. To the point of the above poster commenting on length of time holding an edge. The better quality steel will hold an edge longer during regular use.

That's pretty much what I was trying to get at. Although, I found that the fusion steel (for what it's currently being priced at) was a bit "meh".

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

That's pretty much what I was trying to get at. Although, I found that the fusion steel (for what it's currently being priced at) was a bit "meh".

Personally can not stand Fusion. Horrible at edge retention, always hard to get it to sit in the jig on a consistent basis. so yes a definite MEH

[chapel 20]

From my experience with the LS2 holder (3-4 ice sessions per week and between 1½-3 hours on the ice):

- Fusion is decent, prone to breaking in the center, and holds an edge for 1-2 weeks (around $120)

- LS2 is decent, holds an edge for about 1-2 weeks (around $50-$60)

- LS3 is good, has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and holds an edge for about 2-3 weeks (around $50-$60)

- Step Steel has a 3mm increase in height, so you get more mobility, and it's supposed to hold an edge for 1 - 2 months or longer for some (around $60-$120) (I can't say for sure that I'd recommend it since I'm currently in my second day of using them, but so far, they're holding up nice)

Don't know about Black Edge as I have never tried it.

Jeez, that's a lot of ice time. Playing or officiating?

If you go thru steel in 6 months your best bet would be STEP Blacksteel, wont need to be sharpened as often as regular stainless and it's taller for longer sharpening life.

Where do you get BlackSteel anyway?

Steel is not steel. Thats like saying Cars are Cars they roll down the road. Steel quality is far different from s.stainless to LS2 to LS3. and now LS4. If it was all the same they would only have one kind of steel. To the point of the above poster commenting on length of time holding an edge. The better quality steel will hold an edge longer during regular use.

There's an LS4?

Does anyone know what alloys of steel they each use?

[jimmy 194]

Blacksteel is made by STEP, any retailer who sells STEP should have it.

Chapel, Oldtrainer is right. Steel even varies by manufacturer from year to year, depending on where they make it, Italy, China, Canada, Taiwan, how it's tempered and why percentage of nickle, etc they use. Some are better than others but honestly most are a cheap quality stainless. I once brought a huge box of broken and used runners that I had collected for 10 years to a metal recycler, he basically laughed and said the quality was so low he's give me the iron rate, I walked away with $8.

[iceman8310 106]

if I really like LS2.1 steel what is a good substitute for it? It's no longer made anymore. I like the longer blade
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-lightspeed-21-power-runner-pair-sr.html

[mc88 160]

Jeez, that's a lot of ice time. Playing or officiating?

Playing, practicing, coaching/instructing, and working at the ice rink. I get a lot of ice time!

[jimmy 194]

if I really like LS2.1 steel what is a good substitute for it? It's no longer made anymore. I like the longer blade

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-lightspeed-21-power-runner-pair-sr.html

STEP still makes LS2.1 if you like it it's still avail.