Original Six

The travel cases that Blackstone offers for the X-series portables appear to fall well short (in both quality and price) of those offered for their professional portables; simply put, they look like plastic typewriter cases, don't have wheels, pull out handles, etc. Has anyone found any better cases for the X-series in the same $200-$300. price range? Also wondering what the skate size "range" is for the Youth and Adult holders and if there is any difference between the X-12 & U-12 Trie-Lie holders other than perhaps the height since the grinding wheel may be at a different height on teh pro portables.

Looks like a great set-up; very nicely done! Thanks for the photos.

I would think with proper maintenance and nothing catastrophic happening (like dropping one down a flight of stairs), there is no reason why these things shouldn't last a really long time. As long as the company and/or their vendors stay in business, you should be able to easily replace the motor and most parts if anything ever breaks or wears out. The X01 does seem to be all you need. What I don't understand is how the X02 can weigh twice as much as the X01, yet it appears very similar and seems to share most of the same components... the only thing that is obviously different is the motor.

I also asked for some insight a few days ago around the pros and cons of the different Blackstone portable sharpeners available; both pro and X series. Here is a cut n' paste from my post around which sharpener I should get: "I believe I’m familiar with the “obvious” differences (wheel sizes, differences in motors, etc.) between the various FBV capable Blackstone portable machines, both “professional” and their “home” X01 & X02 machines, but I would really appreciate hearing from anyone that has had “hands-on” experience using various Blackstone portables. As an example of what “I think I know” - the X02 has a more robust motor than the X01, and as such, is better suited to handle greater “volume,” but what I don’t know is if it also produces better results, or for that matter, are there any cons accompanying the obvious pros? E.g. the wheel spins at twice the speed on the X02 and it is much more aggressive; making it more difficult to use, requiring greater skill, needing to use higher grit wheels to mitigate the increased RPMs, etc. Are there significant differences/advantages between an FC02 and an X02? Is it easier to get better results with the “pro” model because it is “smoother” &/or has a more generous table size? Is there an advantage to a U12 Trie-Lie holder over an X12, or are they just different because the wheel height is different? Is there any difference in ease of use or quality of a sharpening because the FC02 is direct drive and the X02 belt drive (I read on this forum somewhere that the belt drive is noisier/clunkier)? I don’t anticipate having to sharpen very many pairs of skates each week, but by the same token I may be willing to pay up for a “pro” model if it produces better results, is easier to use, and is more durable/reliable. Any advice will be greatly appreciated."

I'll answer your question first; 100/50. I thought it offered an improvement in overall performance, more so in some drills vs. others, and less so in a game situation, but all things considered, better than traditional ROH. And while I understand why you would see me as a skeptic, I certainly wouldn't describe myself as such. You may recall that my first post on this forum was on 3/25 to ask if anyone could provide a copy of the U of Ottawa study (referred to and mentioned often) that provided conclusive findings in support of this technology and here we are almost a month later, and nobody has been able to provide a copy. I even found and contributed links to two separate studies, one by Brock on BFD and an Ottawa study on FBV... only to be told that the Ottawa study I had was an "early" study and it was the wrong one. At this point I've given up on the idea of ever finding the elusive Ottawa study and have decided to take the plunge and buy a Blackstone sharpener. Hoping some folks on this forum who have had occasion to use different Blackstone portables (both pro & home)can share their perceptions/pros & cons of the various models. I'm primarily interested in hands-on usage experience. <p></p>

Sorry for the hiatus; I wanted to get enough ice time in before coming back to post anything. And yes, I did notice a difference this time; no disadvantages and improved glide. I wouldn’t describe it as “life changing,” particularly in game situations vs. drills, but definitely better. Admittedly, enough of a difference to consider buying an FBV capable sharpener. Now the question becomes, which Blackstone portable. I believe I’m familiar with the “obvious” differences (wheel sizes, differences in motors, etc.) between the various FBV capable Blackstone portable machines, both “professional” and their “home” X01 & X02 machines, but I would really appreciate hearing from anyone that has had “hands-on” experience using various Blackstone portables. As an example of what “I think I know” - the X02 has a more robust motor than the X01, and as such, is better suited to handle greater “volume,” but what I don’t know is if it also produces better results, or for that matter, are there any cons accompanying the obvious pros? E.g. the wheel spins at twice the speed on the X02 and it is much more aggressive; making it more difficult to use, requiring greater skill, needing to use higher grit wheels to mitigate the increased RPMs, etc. Are there significant differences/advantages between an FC02 and an X02? Is it easier to get better results with the “pro” model because it is “smoother” &/or has a more generous table size? Is there an advantage to a U12 Trie-Lie holder over an X12, or are they just different because the wheel height is different? Is there any difference in ease of use or quality of a sharpening because the FC02 is direct drive and the X02 belt drive (I read on this forum somewhere that the belt drive is noisier/clunkier)? I don’t anticipate having to sharpen very many pairs of skates each week, but by the same token I may be willing to pay up for a “pro” model if it produces better results, is easier to use, and is more durable/reliable. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the offer guys... very generous and much appreciated. Unfortunately, I "checked-out" after my last post and didn't check the forum until just now or I would've taken you guys up on the offer... already placed an order with No Icing. I'll post again after I take it for a spin.

Good idea - thanks for the suggestion. I've read very positive testimonials about No Icing. I just checked their web site and I can order new steel from them with FBV and the conbo radius I'm used to... not a cheap proposition, but much cheaper than buying a new sharpener... at least I'll know they did it right and if I notice a significant improvement, then I'll feel confident in buying a new sharpener. Thanks again.

The local place has a Blackstone machine with two sharpening heads and a third head that is used for cross grinding. One of the two heads has a traditional ROH single diamond dresser and the other head takes spinners. The guy even places a tiny "100/50" sticker on the tuck of each skate. So short of climbing over the counter and pulling out the spinner to read it, I have no reason to believe that they are trying to fool me... if they are it is a pretty elaborate hoax. I have been to other places and have asked specifically for Blackstone FBV and have either been told that they only have Blademaster BFD, but "it's just as good" and other places where they have tried to fool me into thinking it was FBV, when in fact it was BFD. And I've also experienced my share of "botched" jobs with uneven edges, more steel taken off one runner than the other, profile ruined, you name it. And all of this fun has come at the hands of not only people that check their work by holding the skate up to the light and shaving their finger nails, but even with people who actually checked their work with a gauge. This is why I sharpen my own skates. In any event, thank you all for your responses to my posts... I've taken up enough of this forum's time and will resume my quest for the Holy Grail; the elusive Ottawa study.

I've heard & read these positive comments about FBV from a lot of people... and this is why I remain interested in exploring this further. And by the same token it also leads me to wonder if a lack of skill/maintenance on the part of the folks at the shops where I've tried it is the reason I haven't noticed any improvement. I appreciate all the glowing positive endorsements; probably 100 of the 108 pages in this forum are full of them... this is why I tried asking this forum community for a copy of the study as I was sure someone here would have it.

I appreciate the suggestion, but different sharpenings is exactly the problem... they are almost always a little different from the previous visit, even when I ask for exactly the same thing. This is why I'm considering replacing my ROH sharpener with my own FB sharpener; I simply don't get consistent quality at any of the shops in my area offering FBV. I'll just reach out directly to Blackstone and ask them to send me the study they so often refer to as "proof" of their technology.

I've tried it and have experienced no difference between 1/2 ROH and 100/50 FBV... no better, no worse. That said, I can't say for a fact that the reason I haven't noticed any difference isn't attributable to the sharpener's skills or lack there of, old/worn spinners being used beyond their useful life, the wheel not being dressed often enough, my own skating style/ability, etc., etc. I would simply like to see some scientific evidence supporting FBV before I take the plunge and spend a few thousand dollars on a new sharpener... and then spend even more money trying one spinner after the next until I find the right one. Perhaps some folks can afford to take a leap of faith on the word of "God knows who" on a forum, but I can't. It is not "study complete" for me until I actually read a compelling study conducted properly by a reputable body of knowledge. I first posted on 3/25 asking if someone could share the study and here we are on 4/4 talking about A-Traps and such, and I'm still waiting for someone to pony up a study that makes a compelling case for FBV. I'm not trying to stir anything up on this forum or cause anyone any grief, I'm simply doing my research before making a significant investment; I'm planning to buy the machine...I wouldn't be wasting my time asking for this to save $10. on a skate sharpening.

Since the Ottawa study I found was just "the first of many, and in my mind not terribly convincing, I'd still very much appreciate seeing a copy of the latest and greatest study?

I finally located the University of Ottawa study: http://www.health.uottawa.ca/biomech/lab/docs/ISBS2009-MK.pdf It is a quick read...nowhere near as comprehensive as the Brock study and hardly anything I'd describe as earth shattering or irrefutable scientific proof, but it is positive.

Thanks for explaining. I was under the impression all along that Blademaster had "copied" Blackstone and tried to get around any potential patent infringement by "rounding" their edges to resemble ROH edges vs. FBV "fangs." Hence, I thought Blackstone FBV was introduced to the market place first and Bladematster's BFD was a "copycat" technology.