Leaderboard

Damn, getting a shutout feels good. It's been a very long time since I got one. Who cares that I probably saw 8 shots all game (I did have to make 3 good saves)? Who cares that I got saved by two posts and a crossbar? I sure as hell don't.

I did all of the tracings and measurements at home in accordance with the instructions from VH. Had some e-mail correspondence with VH prior to doing the measurements and tracings and they where great in their feedback. Also I discussed with them after I had placed my order and they said that if they had any questions or needed more measurements/pictures they would get in touch. I haven't heard anything so I am assuming that what I provided was sufficient. Based on what I have read on this forum the tracings and measurements are enough for them to make a perfect fitting skate. I will post a review once I have been able to test the skates properly. In terms of pro use in Sweden I haven't seen any players here using it yet. I have a few teammates who are very keen on seeing the result of the skate, but no one here has heard of them before. Apparently the skates have arrived in Sweden this morning so fingers crossed they might arrive before the weekend.

Very nice! Paint it black!

Along these lines, I got an unexpected, unsolicited, indirect compliment the other day. A father of one of the kids whose skates I sharpen on my X-01 needed them sharpened right away but I wasn't going to be home in time to do them. He took them to the LHS, which just so happens to currently have Bert Godin, the equipment manager of the St. Louis Blues working there during the lockout. The father told me that Bert checked the edges before he started (perhaps he saw the 95/75 that I had written on the blade and was curious because I don't think the shops around here offer that hollow). Bert told him, "I don't know who did these skates before but they did a really good job... I don't usually see edges this even." (I assume he was not talking about his own work). Anyway, that made me feel pretty good that I could get that compliment from him as a mostly self taught sharpener using a little X-01 machine in my garage.

Thanks everyone...and thank you Chiefs17. I have really been trying to make a great setup for myself and for people that want to feel what a correct skate sharpening feels like. I am doing ok with just word of mouth from people I have sharpened skates for. I see so many skates sharpened from 16 year old kids (with little instruction, not they're fault at all) and adults (whom have been sharpening for years) at the LHS and it kills me. 99% of the shops iv seen skates sharpened don't use any type of measuring device after the blade has been run on the wheel, many of them set the skate holder and never adjust it. I don't understand this. I have been sharpening skates for 12 years. I have NEVER found the "master setting" on the holder. I have never been able to "eyeball" the blade and tell if its level or not. (I mean obviously I can tell if its real outta whack) but with so many options for measuring the level of the blade out there I see no reason for it not to be done EVERY TIME. I have the 60$ "edge checker" and it works great, the "Max Edge" (my favored) (120$), I have the HDI which is like the most precise instrument on the market (120$ from Glynn at E-Z Sharp), I have a level from SSM (like 40$) the "Bat-gauge" from Blackstone (125$). How is this not a must have for any LHS?? No one can give perfect edges without measuring. That's why I wanted to start doing it correct. I won't give you back skates until I am absolutely satisfied each blade is level and sharpened to the best of my ability. Maybe this is just a CT thing, IDK, but I wanted to make a difference and that's why I like to sharpen skates. I really believe the FBV is worth it too. Its worth the extra expense, and was worth the start up cost. I think that when people try it they will notice the advantage. But, It needs to be done correct. If someone puts the FBV on a blade and its not level, or only 1 edge is hit with the wheel, the experience is not going to be pleasant. I thank everyone again on this thread. I have actually read all 100 pages. Seems like a great board. I am happy to be a part of it now. I have learned much about the FBV from this thread and have passed it along almost everyday.