jimmy

Agreed.....I've never seen an oggie grip. In some ways, I think your impression of Oggie Grips being a bust is due to the internet. What I mean is there is a saying about "you don't know what you don't know" but it's the opposite here. I haven't spoken with Joe in a couple of months, but he said the sales of the grips have increased each year. Plus he's starting to get NHL players to use the grips, although sometimes he modifies the grips so much that it's hard to tell. In any event, let's go back 5+ years to before MSH (or the Easton board) were created. Let's say you've never heard about an Oggie Grip, but you noticed something real weird on an NHL player's stick, so you ask the guy at the shop what it is. No idea. Enough kids ask that question all year before the owner of the shop makes a connection that that was the booth he buzzed by at the trade show, then he remembers he saw an ad by them in USA Hockey, so he calls Joe to inquire about carrying the grips. That's a common chronology prior to the age of the message board. You wouldn't consider a product a bust because you'd have no idea how long it'd been on the market. In the case of Joe's product, I think it's crazy to suggest a product whose sales have increased annually is a bust, particularly when we know that NHL players using products help drive sales, and Joe didn't get NHL approval until last season (I believe). I realize the counter argument could come from a retailer like Jimmy saying they haven't sold well in his shop, which would mean Joe's happy because his sales have increased, but Jimmy's not happy because the products sat. That's a fair assessment, yet the products have always sold well during demo days, so it may just be that this product won't ever have explosive growth -- it's just going to be slow and steady over the years as more people try it. You are partially correct. However, also with the age of the internet and BB's, and hockey journals in every rink, many people are exposed to product advertising before a product even makes it to the stores. I judge popularity and sales potential by how many people ask me for a product, either phone calls or in the store. If there is enough interest, then I'll stock it. In the case of Oggies, I think I got a dozen from Ronnie B. at first. It took a yr to sell them. I think the problem was the amount of stick that had to be cut off to install them, people didn't want to risk it. it may be a great product, just lack of interest in our area for wierd butt plugs. FWIW, the angled ones didn't sell much either.

On that note - SmartHockey Stickhandling balls? I know every shop seems to have tons, but I don't think I've ever heard of someone actually buying or using one. we sell one or two a week. We've been selling them for 6 yrs. They sell great, not a bust for sure. I'd guess and say we sold approx 1000. Now Oggie grips.... that's a bust. But we also must take into account that some things sell better in different parts of the country.

For those unfamiliar: http://www.gohocks.com/hockey/index.php Yup, hocks were a bust for sure. I don't think I even sold one at regular price. I told them, they needed to make the upper in black, not white. They looked like a tidy whitey sewn onto socks. If they were black, they would have sold.

The Curtis Curve is not a bust, many love it and still use it. I had one, a VIC in the early 80's, in fact it's up in the rafters in my garage. for sale, best offer :) I personally didn't like it but I have lots of people ask for it. I've been selling the Eagle version, no problem. Goalies still like it.

If you are honest with the shop, they'll treat you just fine. Tell them you really want the XXXX's now, and since they can't get them for you fast, you'll probably have to get get them elsewhere but will bring them to them for sharpening, molding, etc. I make a lot of money sharpening, molding, stretching and punching and servicing skates bought elsewhere, in fact, almost as much if I sold the skate myself. Even better for me, because I don't have to stock ridiculous inventory. I wouldn't be mad if you bought skates I didn't sell elsewhere and had them serviced, I don't think your shop will as long as you are honest with them. Also, don't be bothered by the shop pushing Grafs. Many shops push the brand they sell. I know one shop who tries hard to talk you out of your decision, and will force you to sit down and watch a video of how their"favorite" brand's skates are manufactured. They will talk down all other brands, even brands they sell.

It's going to happen, just not for some time. What company is going to invest the $$ to create such a monster? Who would pay $30 a sharpening to pay for this technology. As for your other question, yes, I have one customer who likes a deeper hollow on his left skate because that's the one he pushes off with and is his dominant foot. So 3/8's on the left, 1/2 on the right. It works for him and he claims better performance.

I fully agree. Robot machines (if developed) could certainly sharpen skates better than any human. The machine would also have to be able to examine the skate to determine if the sharpening was done correctly. The act of sharpening is relatively easy, but the act of ensuring it was done right is somewhat more difficult. If one could develop a machine that can sharpen, and then inspect results both mechanically and visually, there would be no need for skate sharpening humans. Except of course, someone who could recognize that a blade was loose, or a holder broken, or a holder out of alignment, or steel height getting low, etc. . If a machine can do all that, at a reasonable price, then I'm all for it. Again, we need another computer machine to ensure the original computer machine is aligned correctly and calibrated correctly. I don't think the end cost to the consumer would be reasonable and the price of sharpening would skyrocket. Perhaps in 10 yrs, we'll see something that's groundbreaking. But, how is this machine going to know how to pick the correct hollow, or pitch, or radius for the individual? Someone's going to have to develop some awesome computer program to do that too.

BS! Everyone who scams, knows they are scamming. They know before they enter they have NO intention of buying. They are only going in to get their size so they can buy online. Premeditated, yes. Scamming is cheating. I can't for the life of me understand why people think this is OK and actually try to stick up for these a-holes. I don't give a crap if your a poor college student, a single mom, whatever. Be an honest person and buy the product from the online store without scamming your LHS. These a-holes want the cheaper prices but want the service and ability to size without paying for it. Be honest people, if you want to buy online, look at the little 2-inch pic online, then try to figure out your size and be a man and take your risk buy buying sight and sizing unseen. LHS are NOT showrooms for online stores and if you use them as such, you are stealing from them. It cost LHS money to display a product. Lots of money. When you cheat them, you are stealing from them, and yes in some cases can force them out of business.. If some SOB comes back to my store after I or my staff spent hrs fitting them for something and they have purchased that item elsewhere, they are no longer welcome in my store. GTF out and go get your sharpening at the online store. Honestly, we don't need those a-holes business. You always think everyone is out to get you. Thats probably why you hide behind your "twin's" name. You are soo narrow-minded to think that all these people walk in and say, "I bet I can screw this guy over." No, they walk in and say "Wow, it's a lot cheaper online." I wonder how many of these people think "Hey, he has it worse than HG and can't offer their price." Probably not many, that is NOT their fault. You can't blame a child for touching the hot stove when they don't know any better. I wonder if you feel the same way about offering services online that take away business from local economies because certain websites poise themselves as an authority. Hmm, I wonder if they only do business to those that are in areas that don't have shops that offer those services. Wouldn't that be like stabbing a brother in the back by taking his business? Actually, most customers are honest and I really appreciate them and their business. For me scammers are few and far between because my in-store prices are essentially the same as online stores, in some cases cheaper. I really don't worry about it too much except when I see it on forums where people encourage and support that concept . When I see that, I speak up. As one of the few store OWNERS on this board I guess that makes me the bad person. As for my, "twin". When I joined MSH I didn't think it would be appropriate for anyone to know who I or my business was, this way I could give honest reviews on products, without any retribution by manufacturers. I explained this to JR right up front. What good is conversation with out being able to discuss the bad too. Also, I did not want to solicit any business like others do on forums. Staying anonymous would have been the best. Nevertheless, after about a year, one of the vendors let it out who I was. So "TBLfan" that the name your mother gave you? What's your real name? How dare you have a "twin" name. Lastly, I shop online all the time, as do many. It appears you have a problem with online sites selling services that they can get locally, why is that? BTW, I don't steal anyones business, in fact I encourage others to get their sharpening locally, always have, always will. It's right on my website, always has been. I don't advertise or solicit business, skaters looking for relief find my store on google. Why people come to me is because they have tried their local person, and either they suck at it or they can't get what I offer. I guess you expect them to continue to support their local guy and skate crappy. Is that your answer?

No, I'm not defending that. Both are wrong, but IMO the scammer is worse. How I handle it when I sense a scammer is that I just don't tell them anything, or give them 5 choices. I'm not getting their business anyway, so I'm not loosing anything other they don't come in the store anymore, and that's a good thing. I'm all for fitting fees.

Completely different. Did you spend a 1/2 hour of the clerk's time at the organics market first knowing that you had no intention of buying from him? Exactly. Choosing on price is one thing, I and most people do that all the time. If Kmart has item for $20 and another dept store has it for $30, then that's a no-brainer. Neither of the 2 stores is providing anything different than the other, it's apples to apples. However, scammers want the service too but aren't willing to pay for it. So with willful intent, they sneak down to their LHS and try products on, examine them, and/or waste lots of the clerks time, then run home any buy it online.

BS! Everyone who scams, knows they are scamming. They know before they enter they have NO intention of buying. They are only going in to get their size so they can buy online. Premeditated, yes. Scamming is cheating. I can't for the life of me understand why people think this is OK and actually try to stick up for these a-holes. I don't give a crap if your a poor college student, a single mom, whatever. Be an honest person and buy the product from the online store without scamming your LHS. These a-holes want the cheaper prices but want the service and ability to size without paying for it. Be honest people, if you want to buy online, look at the little 2-inch pic online, then try to figure out your size and be a man and take your risk buy buying sight and sizing unseen. LHS are NOT showrooms for online stores and if you use them as such, you are stealing from them. It cost LHS money to display a product. Lots of money. When you cheat them, you are stealing from them, and yes in some cases can force them out of business.. If some SOB comes back to my store after I or my staff spent hrs fitting them for something and they have purchased that item elsewhere, they are no longer welcome in my store. GTF out and go get your sharpening at the online store. Honestly, we don't need those a-holes business.

So, who in your opinion is more terrible, the person scamming the store, or the salesperson who didn't tell the scammer the correct size?

How many cuts with the spinner do you get before it needs replacement?

Yea, I hated to change from ralph, but the shipping, duties and fees were just ridiculous.

I'm not sure. It depends on if England has higher duties from stuff coming from Canada or the US. I'd go with whomever is cheaper, shipping and duties. I had been using NASH but switched to Midwest. Shipping is cheaper and no duties for me. NASH seemed more "informed".

Yes, the steel is excellent, although I haven't got the veliocity in goalie, just the regulars. The Step goalie steel is like 1/2" taller than the standard RBK's. Very pricey tripple of the RBK's. And Skate Dr, you have to contact a STEP distributor, not the main company. For you I would go thru NASH.

Be sure to let us know how long the edges hold, compared to your old steel. Intervals between sharpenings.

Why? The Pitch steel is perfect. No reason for an aftermarket version. Actually the width of the Step steel would enhance the fit and the performance of the Pitch Holder even more so though. Hmmm? Just measured the Step and the Mission widths, they are the same, within .5mm. Both around 2.95mm. As with any steel there could be variations in width, but I don't think that would be enough to make any noticeable performance difference. Is there something i'm missing?

Why? The Pitch steel is perfect. No reason for an aftermarket version.

No LS2.1 yet. Step would be foolish not to produce replacement runners for the Bauer models. I checked today with two STEP distributors, neither knew anything about 2.1's, so I imagine it will be some time before we see them.

The reason why they are liked by skaters and trainers is that they are less likely to break in a game situation than the stock steel.

What skaters have told me is that they noticed extra stability and more power in heel turns with the STEPS.

Oh, I know how to prevent it... I even own a ozone chamber. I just thought I was immune because if I hadn't got it in 45yrs, why would I get it now. Answer: SUPERBUG!

Just got back from the doctor to get stitches out, however another round of horse pill antibiotics, at least not more IV's. For those of you who don't think you can get staff infection from hockey equipment...oh well that's another topic. I'll get a good pick of the Velocity mirror finish here later today.

The price is closer to $70 each, not a pair. Very tough to swallow. To some it will be worth it.