jimmy

You seem to understand correctly that the radius is proportunate to blade size. A smaller radius will be used on smaller size skates than larger ones. Depending on your skating style and ability, a 7 or 8' is more in line with a size 5 skate. You will not feel "tippy". However if you had a size 10 skate and put a 8' on it, yes, you could feel "tippy." That's prob what your profiling guy meant (I hope). Weight has nothing to do with radius, that effects the hollow you use.

I didn't realize this was a for sale site. If that's the case, I have everything for sale, just call. ;)

If you think the XXX goal skate is better, wait till you see the new Vector and RBK goal skates. Replaceable stainless steel, lightened and lowered holder. Sweet. I just ordered a 9k pump for me. IMO, the replaceable steel is a breakthru that will be accepted by goalies like never before. The stainless is only icing on the cake. If it's flash you want, go for the bauer. If it's fit and function (and durability), the RBK is the way to go.

Yes, exactly.

Find a LHS that knows what they are doing, not just one that does 9' on everyone, or one that only offers two choices. What radius (rocker) you need is vastly different than what others need. Never go by a recommendation of another skater. Seek advice of a professional sharpener/radius technician who can talor the rocker to your ability, position, skating style, positional play, skate size, height, as well as matching it to compliment a proper hollow. BTW, Rockering is an old term, for a service that was done freehand. It's now evolved into profiling and radiusing. Do a Google search for those terms and you will find some very helpful info.

All I'm saying is store workers should not be helping folks so they can bypass ther local LHS's. This has nothing to do with my store, but the "hockey world" as you say, in general. IIt's a macro thing, not micro. If there is no reason to go to the local LHS because you can get free fitting advice from MSH, then less folks will go to their LHS, they'll shop ebay. BTW, I don't believe I've ever mentioned the name of my store on this board.

No one is talking about making a profit on members.

Since many manufactures visit this site, I'd like them to give me the plans, materials and trade secrets on how they make their composite sticks. This is an "informative' site after all, isn't it? I'll wait for all this information to be posted, so I can start up my copycat factory and have some chinese guy make it for cheaper. It'll be a cold day in hell before I get it, I assure you. Why, you should be smart enough to figure it out. Once the word gets out that Chadd or JR will help fit you for skates so you can make the sweet ebay purchase or buy from Isellhockeyeeuipmenoutofmygarage.com, why on earth would anyone visit their LHS. Stop trying to be the "nice" guy. Either you have a business to run or you don't. Don't get so hung up on the holy-er than thou, we're just here to help the poor guy who doesn't have a LHS that knows what they are doing. Yo're being taken advantage of and you don't even realize it. "Bla , bla, bla, what size Kor do I fit into?" ....great ebay price on Kors. Suckers.

I agree this is an informative site. That's what's great about it. Information on a certain stick is way different than skate fitting services, something our LHS customers pay extra for. It's your site, if you want to give free services, that's up to you. Us LHS's have quite a lot of competition with the online stores, I just see it against our interests to help people so they can shop online. What's the next step, inviting all MSH'rs down to our store so we can fit them in person for that sweet ebay deal. Just being realistic.

I think it could be of value. I know Chadd and I have helped each othe rout when needed. If I got a stick he don't have that one of his customer's wants, or vice versa. Or an emergency piece of steel or repair piece. Also should unite in other regards. For example, why are we giving skate sizing info to the general public?. When we do this we are cutting our throats, our livelihood, helping folks bypass the LHS so they can buy off ebay and internet stores, to save a measly buck. Part of the reason we have to charge more is for our advice and fitting tme/info. Shouldn't be giving that away for free. What if a surfer is one of our local customers. I myself will not help with sizing info, that should be left to the LHS. Yes, some have crappy LHS's, but how do you know.

Any chance a forum for LHS workers only?

I can't agree when so many people have never had that problem before using Vectors. It's a very common problem with the top couple models, but not with many other brands. Lace bite is just not common with Vectors here. Never had any customer complain of lace bite on a Vector, any Vector, and I sell lots of them. Compared to a high end Bauer, the toungue is much better and does not break down as fast. I don't see what the problem is.

Got that beat, there's a rink near me that has an old figure skate machine, they do all skates on it, golalie, figure, hockey, without ever changing a setting or hieght of holder.

Before you have lessons, you must have proper equipment. Skate hollow and radius are the most important. It reminds me of a top NHL draft pick for the Canadians years ago, he was a goalie. Seems the equipment manager didn't want to cut the kids skates the way the kid liked them. He never made it in the NHL because of that. Can't remember his name. I'll have to do some searching unless someone has it on the top of their head.

The movie benefits the skaters, most don't have a clue that they even have choices. They just give the skates to the guy and he takes them and does what he wants. But I have to say, a lot of sharpeners are clueless as well. JR is always talking about some guy in his area who gives everyone the same radius.

- experience - ability - strength - height - position - style - type skate - hollow - personal preferences and more... Don't ask how each is evaluated, we have to keep some trade secrets! if we gave that info away for free how would M.E. suck all that money out of you for training and equipment. :)

You have to experiment with the different radius/pitches and see which works best for you, similar to how you experiment with stick curves. Your radius tech should be able to evaluate you to get a good starting point.

Don't you guys do radiusing at your store? You would think it's be popular in MI

Who knows, I may have said smoke and mirrors but never in the context of radiusing skates, a radius adjustment is not smoke and mirrors. It's a proven concept. How it is applied and who does it is a whole nuther story. As you said, it may be the "in thing" to do as far as parents are concerned to keep up with the Jones's, but I fault the radius tech for not properly explaining it to them when they do decide to get it done.

Actually. most of the parents im my area do know very well how to answer questions. Most of the dads have played hockey themselves, and the coaches give good feedback to the parents who are there six times a week watching their kids and others. I have no problems getting the info I need to know to get a good starting point. Sometimes adjustments and tweaks are needed, but since I don't charge extra for adjustments, it's not a big deal. The end result is the kids are skating better. I don't believe it was me that said max edge was smoke and mirrors. The fact that they say that all other methods and sharpeners are inferior because they don't use his so-called method is a bit pompus, as well as incorrect. But, you'll never see me say radiusing or profiling is not a good thing for everyone. THINK, what if everyone only had one choice of a stick curve (and it was a Thornton) What percentage of players would have perfect powerful shots and stickhandling with that curve, 2% perhaps. The other 98% would still be able to use it but not at optimum performance. A custom radius is nothing more that the same as finding that stick curve that works best for you.

http://www.exn.ca/video/?video=exn20021125-skatesharpen.asx

Contrary to the myth that youth skates do not need to be profiled or radiused, just the opposite is true. I recommend all youths learn to skate with a properly radius and pitched skate. No sense developing bad habits/body stance when you are young, it will haunt you later in life. Youths learn easy, bad habits as well. I can't even count the number of testimonials from parents who noticed drastic improvements after a PROPER radius/pitch was put on their child's skates. I won't even go into proper matching of left/right radius's. The thing is, until you've seen how a kid skates on non-profiled skates, you can't know what the proper profile will be. It would be foolish for parents to be profiling and reprofiling their 7 years olds skates trying to find the right combination. It's better to leave the skates unprofiled until tendencies can be identified. Two things. Most skate pairs the radius is not matched between left and right. So, even if you do not know the skater at all, the blades should be matched. Second, the skater can be properly evaluated through a series of questions, both from the parents and the skater themselves. A good radius technician should be able to "ballpark" a good starting point, and them just have to make minor adjustments after recieving feedback.

Contrary to the myth that youth skates do not need to be profiled or radiused, just the opposite is true. I recommend all youths learn to skate with a properly radius and pitched skate. No sense developing bad habits/body stance when you are young, it will haunt you later in life. Youths learn easy, bad habits as well. I can't even count the number of testimonials from parents who noticed drastic improvements after a PROPER radius/pitch was put on their child's skates. I won't even go into proper matching of left/right radius's.

Yup, 9', balanced pitch is good for your stride. Start with a 5/8 hollow. Try it. If you achived what you want you are golden. If you want more speed, start shallowing is out a 32nd at a time.

Flite also used them. Others too. I actually like the way the tuuk steel mounts sideways like CCM. I hate the Tuuk mounting system.