Description
This product takes around 14 days to ship.
A firmer feel for powerful short track skating
The Bont Platinum X K390 short track blade is the firmer choice for very strong skaters and athletes who prefer a stiff, responsive blade. It combines precision-ground K390 steel with the proven manufacturing methods of the Platinum range and is 15% stiffer than the original Platinum. Choose Gun Metal, Purple, or Green to suit your setup.
Key Product Points
- A firmer response: Suited to very strong skaters and those who prefer a stiff blade under load.
- Precision-ground K390 steel: Flat-sheet steel is slowly ground in pairs using high-end German grinding stones to help prevent heat distortion.
- Controlled bonding: A tighter blade slot, carefully selected adhesive, and 14-hour curing process help maintain the intended blade shape.
- Polished steel sides: A brilliance polish helps reduce friction when the side of the blade contacts the ice at deep lean angles.
- Three finishes, a choice of setups: Select Gun Metal, Purple, or Green, with five cup-height options and color-specific blade lengths.

Built for skaters who prefer a stiff blade
Blade stiffness is a personal choice shaped by strength, technique, and the response you want from your equipment. The Platinum X is intended for powerful skaters who prefer a firmer feel when loading the blade through a corner. It is a useful option when a springier blade does not match your preference and you want a stiffer response from your short track setup.
The X builds on the original Platinum, using the same materials and production techniques with a 15% increase in stiffness. That comparison is with the original Platinum. It is not a stated percentage difference between the X and the Flex. The choice between these blades should reflect how you skate and the feel you prefer, rather than a belief that greater stiffness automatically suits every skater.
Platinum X or Platinum Flex?
Choose the Platinum X if you are a very strong skater or prefer a stiff blade. Choose the Platinum Flex if you are a lighter skater or prefer a springier response. Both preferences can be valid in short track racing. The aim is to match the blade's response to the force you apply and the feedback you want through the corner.
The green blade comparison below shows the construction difference. The Flex has additional milling in the narrow section beneath the tube, reducing that section's thickness and stiffness. The Firm, used for the Platinum X version, retains a thicker section. The arrows identify this area on the actual blade ends so you can see where the two designs differ.

Precision starts with the steel
Flat-sheet material from the beginning
Consistency begins before the blade reaches a grinding machine. Blade steel commonly arrives in a roll, bringing curvature that must be addressed during production. Bont pays extra to source flat sheets of steel for the Platinum range. Starting with flat material reduces the need to work against the shape of a coil and supports the goal of making every blade consistently straight.
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 stiffness of the tube. The Platinum X brings these elements together in a blade designed for demanding racing use, with attention paid to how the steel is prepared, finished, and bonded.
Slow grinding in pairs
The process begins with 1.3mm steel. Bont grinds 0.1mm from each side to produce a finished blade thickness of 1.1mm. Only two blades are ground at a time, using high-end grinding stones imported from Germany. This slow, controlled approach helps prevent heat distortion during grinding and supports a consistent finished surface.
The finished thickness is only one part of the result. The way material is removed also matters. Taking time at this stage helps preserve the flatness established by the original sheet and gives the later bonding process a carefully prepared runner to work with.

Bonded and held to preserve the bend
A tighter slot and carefully selected adhesive
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 multiple adhesives, Bont selected one strong enough to reduce the blade slot width by 0.1mm. The smaller gap helps limit movement and reduce the chance of warping as the blade is assembled.
This bonding gap serves a different purpose from the milled section that distinguishes the green Flex and Firm blades. The slot controls how the runner is bonded into the tube. The section beneath the tube influences stiffness. Keeping these details separate makes it easier to understand how the blade's construction contributes to both consistency and feel.
A 14-hour setting process
While the adhesive cures, each blade is held in a custom jig at a minimum of nine points. It remains supported for 14 hours to help preserve the intended bend. These purpose-built jigs are an important part of the process because the blade needs consistent support while the bond sets, rather than being left free to move.
Finished for the demands of the corner
The sides of the runner receive a brilliance polish to reduce friction when they touch the ice at steep lean angles. This attention to the side surface complements the care taken with grinding and bonding. The blades are supplied machine bent, with a 9m radius, and are not pre-sharpened. Prepare and sharpen them appropriately before skating.
Bont worked with top national teams to refine tube stiffness across the Platinum range. Too much stiffness can make a blade difficult to manage, while too little can absorb power. The X offers the firmer choice within that approach. Its tube and cups use 7075 T6 aluminum, combining the range's established construction with a response aimed at skaters who want more stiffness.

Choose your color and setup
Gun Metal is offered in 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, and 19-inch lengths. Purple and Green are offered in 17, 17.5, and 18-inch lengths. All three colors have 25mm, 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, and 35mm cup-height options. The standard cup height is 25mm. Select your color and size to see the current price and availability for that combination.
Choose the length and cup height appropriate to your existing setup and skating preferences. Supplied as a pair, the Platinum X is designed for skaters who value consistent preparation and a firm blade response. Select your preferred finish and configuration to build your next short track racing setup.
Technical Specifications
- Blade steel: K390
- Tube and cup material: Aluminum 7075 T6
- Stiffness: 15% stiffer than the original Platinum
- Radius: 9m
- Blade thickness: 1.1mm
- Hardness: 64 Rockwell
- Bend: Machine bent
- Mount separation: 165mm
- Gun Metal lengths: 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, and 19 inches
- Purple and Green lengths: 17, 17.5, and 18 inches
- Cup heights: 25mm (standard), 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, and 35mm
- Sharpening: Not pre-sharpened
- Includes: One pair of blades
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should choose the Platinum X instead of the Flex?
The X is the firmer choice for very strong skaters and anyone who prefers a stiff blade. The Flex suits lighter skaters and those who prefer a springier feel. Choose according to your skating strength, technique, and preferred response.
Are the same lengths available in every color?
Purple and Green share 17, 17.5, and 18-inch lengths. Gun Metal also offers 16.5 and 19-inch lengths. All three colors have the same five cup-height options. Check the product selector for current availability and pricing.
Are the blades ready to skate on when they arrive?
The blades are machine bent but are not pre-sharpened. Sharpen and prepare them before use, and follow the mounting instructions when fitting them to your boots. Each purchase includes a pair of blades.
