Davetronz

My tendon guard was broken right in half. I removed all the stitching on the tendon guard, and separated the glue. I exposed the material on the back of the tendon guard all the way down past the copper on the back of the skate. I then used the blademaster copper removal tool CAREFULLY to remove the copper rivet. Then I replaced the tendon guard, installed a new copper rivet and used contact cement to glue the backing back onto the new tendon guard. I let it sit for 24 hours to cure. Then I stitched around the top of the tendon guard to finish it off. Very simple repair if you have the tools, patience and skills. The "hardest" part was drilling the hole in the new tendon guard to perfectly match the old one and butt up properly to the skate body. The new tendon guard was slightly different sized, so I had to do this a bit custom to make it flawless. If it was only the copper rivet that was broken, I would have used an exacto knife to cut a "+" shaped cut over the copper area. I would have replaced the copper and then used contact cement to re-seal the vibram.

Still on my phone un-edited. Haven't had a chance to get it posted.

I'm also one who went up from a 5/8 or 11/16 to a 9/16 or 1/2.

I've carefully punched out the heel area in many skates to accomodate haglunds, spurs or bumps. I identify it as a risky area to punch, and I warn the customer about the risks of creating too much room if/when the problem goes away. At the end of the day, I try to make a best call based on the information I have to help the skater with performance and comfort. Many customers accept any sort of risk in return of the possibility of skating pain-free. On certain cases I suggest they see a doctor or podiatrist before I do any degree of punching, or before I recommend they skate again. It all depends on the situation. Other recommendations may come into play as well, insoles, booties, different socks, etc. Punching or physical modifications are usually a last resort.

Thanks OTG. I appreciate the follow-up.

Trying to figure this out myself. I'm going to use a micrometer on the blades and keep a tally the next few times - both when I see the problem and when I don't.

I'm seeing maybe 1-2 pairs a day like this, but yes, it seems to be worse when the holders are more "experienced". Doesn't seem to be localized to Fusion runners. Seeing it with LS2 as well. Haven't seen one with LS3.

Hey guys, I've been seeing an issue with every few pairs of skates with the new LS Edge holders. I don't have access to a Bauer rep anymore because my own pro shop is too small - so I'm hoping someone else in the industry has some official perspective to share. Basically, the blades are loose in the edge holder. Re-mounting the blade doesn't seem to help. The blades move side to side, and it seems like the channel in the holder is too wide (or worn out). This usually happens to both skates equally/to the same degree. I usually notice this first in the skate jig (the skate sags). Then, when I remove the skate from the holder to inspect, I can usually move the blades side to side with my fingers. I've read that you can simply put some teflon tape on the blade in the channel, but this doesn't seem "right" as far as a long-term fix is concerned. I'm also worried about the durability and safety of this for my players. Is there a recall on these that I or my customers should be aware of? Was this just a certain batch sold at a certain store? A certain model? Is there an approved fix other than replacement? Mods, feel free to delete or PM me if this isn't kosher or something that is supposed to be "hush". Thanks in advance!

Mine looks the same (if not even worse) and I've had no problems with lacebite (when I do in every other skate). Best to ask Scott.

No different than previously sharpened steel. You will have to do more passes to get rid of any unevenness or rounding from the factory when they cut the steel. Aside from that, nothing unique. Some cheaper steel may have a "coating" or protectant from the factory which may feel a bit different the first few passes - but that's typically on fairly low quality skates.

It happens. Don't be so hard on yourself. I can't count the number of times I've said "I'm selling all my gear" after a game or shinny. For me, when I was first starting out, I had to find that perfect development division for my skills. A level where the players were just as terrible as my goaltending skills. As someone who played very competitive hockey growing up, this was tough to make the switch down to the lower level - but it let me grow as a goalie and learn correct technique and movement in an atmosphere where mistakes were less pronounced. Have players scored directly off my face? Yeah, I think just a couple weeks ago that happened again. Confidence takes a long time to develop. Confidence comes through experience and small successes. What I found worked well for me was setting a small goal for the game. It wasn't to get a shutout. It wasn't to even win, it was to take one aspect of my game and completely nail it. For example, one of the following: - Always keeping my stick on the ice when I butterfly - Avoiding "shuffling" side to side on my knees when I damn well know how to push off with a skate and slide - Keeping my glove up, rather than down - Performing a "proper" butterfly for each time going down, and not just a flop - No 5-hole goals (you can score in a corner, but my 5-hole is mine) When I focused on a single area of performance, rather than the grand performance, I found those isolated items were progressing, and the larger grand performances were also getting better, because I was dwelling less on the bigger picture. Bad games still happen. All the time. It's the perks of the position. Keep trying, continue to improve your stretching and flexibility (I can't restate this enough), and ensure that you're giving yourself a fighting chance (play with beginners, rather than the guys who've played semi-pro their entire life).

Liam and Mark have both been very helpful and top-notch to me.

Even with custom and agressive skating he could be getting a bit of movement from front to back in the skate I guess. Perhaps it's just a personal preference to keep things really tight so that he isn't re-tying to keep things super tight.

I recall hearing that Jagr uses those straps (or tape) to improve heel lock with his skates by further pushing his heel and ankle back into the skate.

I ended up with a bit of this in my eye (don't ask how) and it didn't burn. Maybe I'll try it on my pancakes, but I doubt they sent a fellow Canadian maple syrup. The smell is VERY familiar to something else, perhaps automotive, but I still can't pin it exactly.

May suggest against this. I think the larger base-plate would be felt on your foot and not flush against the differing in height/shape in sole of the skate. Also not sure how these will stand up. Have replaced many of these on my goalie pad toe bridges when they rust and snap - they're not coated. Would suggest trying traditional copper rivets before going this route.

Not sure why everyone is having so many issues with rivets. I've had a couple pop, but that's normal for any skate with me. Maybe it was a bad, low quality batch of rivets.

I've never had a problem with 5/8 or 3/4 on my goalie skates. Just more too many spinner syndrome. I'd honestly worry about how durable the edges would be for a goalie (posts, collisions, pucks, etc). I'd never put FBV or A-trap on my goalie skates.

TMSS - Too many spinners syndrome.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for... With respect to FBV, First Number: The width “d” of the flat part of the blade, in thousandths, after the sharpening. Second Number: The height “h” between the edges of the blade and the flat area of the blade (in 10 millionths).

Yeah, I've been OK since Ive tightened both and put some Loc-Tite on them.

When I was thinking of dipping or spraying my toes, I wanted to preserve the screw/hole. I've had to replace a velcro strip (skate cut), and I've lost my screw a couple times. I wish that screw wasn't there though!

Scott is only using the 3D tracing for speed skating boots. When I met up with him this time last year he was doing a trace for a national speed skater. I inquired about it for my funky shaped feet and he said that it doesn't produce the best results for hockey.

Thanks guys. Gotta love passion projects!

After 12 years in the industry working for other shops and operating my own mobile team service, I've finally made the move and opened a full pro shop in a busy dual pad rec facility. I'm excited to embark on this and continue developing my own brand. Time to get 'er done!