jimmy

Yup, I already have 5 conversions lined up, including me! Was ready to do it with a MLX but then concussion happened, so I held off.

What I really like in addition to the fit is the new holder, 2mm higher and steel with almost a 3 degree forward pitch. I think it's going be a great perfoming setup. Simply change the stock 9' radius to what works well for you and you got a winning lower.

Sizing down to size 4, nothing smaller. Only one model, prob will have others later, just like they are doing with the RS, lower models coming out next yr.

He should at least have eye protection! It's save my eyes many times.

If you have access to a 1/2" hollow measuring tool, drop it in and if it fits, you got a 1/2 spinner. You can also put a quarter on ta sharpened blade, if you have a FBV, it will clearly be flat in the middle.

No, it's a regular 1/2 hollow. You will have to buy your FBV spinners.

I would start with a 90/75, try that then try a 90/50 and compare the two and see which you like better. The Blackstone chart is not so precise, hence 100/50, 90/1 and 95/75 all around 1/2-9/16 bite range. So best to try one then compare. I will tell you, if you really like a 3/4 hollow, you prob won't like the bite of any FBV with more bite than 90/75.

No, it's more related to the fact that not many shops have purchased the new equipment to do it. Think also, just how many shops still to this day still do not offer the FBV. And speaking of FBV, when it first came out, there were many who didn't like it. At first when they only offered 100/75 and 90/75, many found the 100/75 too sharp and the 90/75 not sharp enough, so they went back to hollow sharpenings. Wasn't till the 100/50 was released did it really have mass appeal.

I don't think you'll find many on it to begin with, finding someone who has been on it a long time will be pretty difficult.

Sorry Chadd, I have to say you are wrong on this one. Instead of a video of someone skating on a ZC, you prefer what, someone talking about it in a post? What is your answer to the orig question of long term use of ZC? I know of no skater who has used the ZC longer than the skater in the video. There is simply no one else in North America who has used it longer. That's why I offered it. I can recall a while back where everyone was so adamant that they wanted to see videos of people skating, but now it's somehow "irrelevant".

Not necessarily. Generally if a new method of sharpening on the street is bad, it would be evident quick. What beter way to see that it performs than to see someone actually skating well on it? There is no "marketing" involved in the video, the young man is simply skating well for his Bauer contest, which has nothing to do with his skate sharpening. I can remember back when FBV first came out, all the naysayers had to say about that. The ZC is no different, it works well for some, others not so well, just like FBV's.

I'm not a video chopping expert so didn't know how to edit out the non-skating scenes, but if you can fast forward to them you will see some awesome skating. The kid certainly has great skills. BTW, he won the Bauer Contest and a nice shiny pair of APX skates.

Based on your statement, then we should never ask questions on forums. After all, isn't everything all personal preference, equipment, sharpening, durability, whatever? The question was if anyone had used it a length of time. The kid in the video has been using it for years. That's why I posted it. He was on FBV, but liked the ZC better. In the vid one can see maneuvers possible with the edges, so I think it could give someone a perspective of what it's like.

This skater has been on the ZC since it came out. Perhaps watching him skate will satisfy your curiousity.

Except that it's really not $300, by the time yo get the spinners, vacuum, edge checker, etc, that bumps up the actual cost quite a bit. yes, i agree stupid for a high volume shop not to support goalies. As a goalie myself, I use to always get pissed when we were dissed because we were not in the majority. There is a shop near me that actually charges goalie $2 more for a regular sharpening because the guy doesn't want to vary from his 1/2" house cut player setting.

Law, here's a suggstion. If Dukes is where you want to go, why not purchase a skate holder and "lend" it to Dukes providing it's set up and aligned and ready for your skates. You'll then let them use the holder for other goalies and they sharpen your skates for free in return. Once they have a seperate holder, no reason why they can't sharpen you with FBV, no extra work or time needed at that point. The money you save from having to drive around will pay for the holder in no time.

Wow, you did everything you could to try to get that done. For $20 tip, I'd pick them up at your house and deliver them! Anyway, it does take 2x longer to do most goalie skates as it is, due to the better quality stainless. For FBV with one head, you have to change holder from a 2.9 to a 4.0, calibrate, sharpen, then go back to a 2.9, and calibrate. Not a fast process and way more labor than a regular FBV. This is why I got 2 more holders. In the beginning when I had one machine, I got backed up 12-15 pairs while doing a goalie or a Rocket Runner. I tried to have them leave them and come back but a lot couldn't do that. But, since I'm primarily a custom sharpening and radius shop, I just couldn't function right with 1 machine and 1 holder. I know Dukes is huge, but maybe they don't focus on sharpening, rather equipment.

First, the speed advantage for goalies IS negligable. But, some goalies may still want the FBV, that's their choice. But, I sympathize with the shop owner. It's not just a simple few click adjustment. With a line of people, stopping to do a FBV on a goalie really slows things down. So I can see why they wouldn't want to offer it for the very few goalies who may want to use it. I have 4 FBV heads and two holders set and aligned and ready to go for 3.2mm and 4.0mm blades, so for me it's not a problem. But the small shop who doesn't have the machines and holders, it's not cost effective for them to offer it.

Soft ice doesnt effect FBV as much as a hollow cut. The flat prevents the edges from sinking into the ice as much as hollows do.

Now you should try the "real" FBV. ;-)

Do your blades have a ot of scratches on the sides? If so, this is what you could be feeling. Just skate on them and le tus know how they feel.

Did you hone them after sharpening?

He asked for the sharpest, that is the sharpest. I have several customers using it, and they like it and have no problems. They were on 100/75 prior and wanted more bite. Same scenario as OP. Shayno, yes, if they have the 100/1 spinner, that's what you'll ask for.

Try the 100/1