Description
This product takes around 14 days to ship.
A more flexible feel for short track racing
The Bont Platinum Flex K390 short track blade combines precision-ground steel with a more flexible tube design for skaters who prefer a springier blade. Developed with blade expert Derrick Campbell, it is particularly suited to lighter skaters and athletes who prefer more flex under load. Choose Pink or Green, with the same seven blade lengths available in both colors.
Key Product Points
- A springier blade feel: The Flex is a good choice for lighter skaters and those who prefer a more flexible response.
- Precision-ground K390 steel: Flat-sheet steel is slowly ground in pairs using high-end German grinding stones to help prevent heat-related warping.
- Controlled bonding: A tighter blade slot, carefully selected adhesive, and 14-hour curing process help maintain the intended blade shape.
- Polished for deep leans: A high-gloss brilliance polish reduces friction when the blade's side touches the ice.
- Two colors, a choice of setups: Select Pink or Green in lengths from 16 to 19 inches, with five cup-height options.
Flex or Firm: choose the feel that suits your skating
Blade stiffness is a personal choice. Your strength, how you load the blade, and the response you enjoy all matter. The Platinum Flex is intended for skaters who want a more flexible, springier feel. Lighter skaters will generally find it the more suitable starting point. The Platinum Firm is intended for very strong skaters who prefer a stiffer blade.
What makes the Flex more flexible?
The difference is subtle from the outside. On the Green Flex, an additional milling process reduces the thickness of the narrow section beneath the tube. Leaving less material in this section reduces stiffness compared with the Green Firm. The Firm retains a thicker section for skaters who want the stiffer response.
Choose by feel, as well as strength
A lighter skater may prefer a blade that flexes more readily, while a very strong skater may prefer the support of a stiffer design. These are useful starting points rather than fixed weight categories. If you like a springier blade, consider the Flex; if you are very strong and like a stiff blade, consider the Firm.
This page is for the Platinum Flex. Pink and Green are its color options. The Firm is a separate stiffness model.
Precision starts with the steel
Flat-sheet steel, selected from the beginning
Many blades begin as steel supplied in rolled coils. That material has an inherent curve and memory that must be managed during manufacturing. For the Platinum, Bont pays extra to start with flat sheets of steel. This avoids introducing the curvature associated with rolled stock before the precision grinding process begins.
K390 is a high-end tool steel selected for its edge retention and wear resistance. For a short track skater, the quality of the runner matters alongside the feel of the tube. The finished blade brings these elements together in a racing design developed with Derrick Campbell.
Slow grinding for a consistent runner
The process begins with steel that is 1.3mm thick. Removing 0.1mm from each side produces the finished 1.1mm blade thickness. This is a small amount of material, but controlling its removal is an important part of achieving the intended finish.
Bont slowly grinds just two blades at a time using high-end German grinding stones. Taking time over this stage helps prevent the heat-related warping that can occur during faster grinding. The emphasis is on flatness and accuracy, with the manufacturing process supporting the performance expected of a racing blade.
Carefully bonded and held through curing
A tighter slot for greater control
The runner sits in a slot with space for adhesive. Excess space can allow movement during bonding, so both the adhesive and the slot dimensions matter. After testing a range of adhesives, Bont selected one with stronger bonding performance and reduced the slot width by 0.1mm. The narrower gap helps limit movement and improve precision.
This bonding gap serves a different purpose from the milled section that distinguishes the Green Flex from the Green Firm. The slot controls how the runner is bonded into the tube; the thinner milled section changes the blade's stiffness.
A 14-hour cure in a dedicated jig
During curing, a custom jig holds the blade at no fewer than nine points, with the exact arrangement depending on blade length. The blade stays in the jig for 14 hours while the adhesive sets. Holding it in this controlled position helps maintain its intended bend through the bonding process.
Details that matter on the ice
A polished side finish
The blade sides receive a high-gloss brilliance polish to reduce friction when they touch the ice during deep leans. It is a finishing detail that complements the work already put into steel selection, grinding, and bonding. The runner is supplied machine bent, with a 9m radius and a specified hardness of 64 Rockwell.
Tube stiffness developed through testing
Bont worked with top national teams to test and refine tube flex, combining CAD-CAM design with real-world skating feedback. The goal was to balance flex and support: excessive stiffness can make the blade difficult to manage, while too much flexibility can compromise power. The Flex provides the more flexible choice for skaters whose strength and preferences suit it.
Build your preferred setup
Both colors are offered in 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, and 19-inch lengths. The standard cup height is 25mm, with 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, and 35mm options also available. The cups use Aluminum 7075 T6. Select the length and height appropriate to your existing setup and skating preferences.
Each purchase includes one pair of blades. They are not pre-sharpened, so arrange sharpening before your first session. Review the assembly and mounting instructions when preparing your setup. Choose your color, length, and cup height above to order your Platinum Flex blades.
Technical Specifications
- Model: Platinum Flex K390 short track blade
- Colors: Pink and Green
- Cup material: Aluminum 7075 T6
- Radius: 9m
- Lengths: 16", 16.5", 17", 17.5", 18", 18.5", and 19"
- Blade thickness: 1.1mm
- Hardness: 64 Rockwell
- Bend: Machine bent
- Cup heights: 25mm (standard), 28mm (+3), 30mm (+5), 32mm (+7), and 35mm (+10)
- Sharpening: Not pre-sharpened
- Quantity: One pair of blades
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Flex or Firm?
Choose Flex if you are a lighter skater or prefer a springier blade. Firm is intended for very strong skaters who prefer a stiff blade. Your preferred feel matters alongside your strength. This listing is for the Flex model.
What is the difference in the milled section?
The Green Flex receives an additional milling step that makes the narrow section beneath the tube thinner. This reduces stiffness compared with the thicker section on the Green Firm. The difference is small to look at, but it changes the blade's flexibility.
Does Green come in the same lengths as Pink?
Yes. Both colors are offered in seven lengths, from 16 to 19 inches in half-inch increments, with the same five cup-height choices. Blades are sold as a pair and require sharpening before use.
