jcp2

I use my ZC set for coaching and they sure do make a loud noise when demonstrating edges for drills. I may not be an accomplished skater, but I certainly sound like one. I think the players and other coaches are still baffled as to how I am able to "crunch" the ice with every push off. Games are still on FBV.

Perfect Edge in Howell has it. I've not been there but a friend of mine from Whitmore Lake goes there to have it done.

My FBV lasts longer (100/50) than my regular sharpening, but I'm more of a coaster(I play D). I've been able to use the extra glide to save my energy when reacting to the play, and sharp cuts and stops are not part of my regular game.

In the course of my hockey misadventures, I borrowed a set of goalie gear and am giving that a whirl. It would be interesting to see if the Z-channel would work well for this position. Lots of edge when pressured at an angle (butterfly) and little edge when upright without pressure (lateral shuffle). I have an old pair of goalie skates that need a sharpening. Too bad the blades don't come off for a mailing to jimmy. Would the thicker blade work in the machine?

I skated on the Z-channel in a clinic last night. As a point of reference, I used to be on 9/16" to 5/8" on a traditional hollow, moved to 90/75 FBV, now favor 100/50 FBV. I chose the ZC3 setting as the closest equivalent to what I like. I found that the Z channel felt looser on straight glides and didn't grip as much on light pushes, turns, and stops. However, once the blade was tilted more and more pressure was applied, the skates started to bite a lot more. I think, but am not sure, that the reason for this is related to the center channel. It won't really engage until the skate blade is a bit into the ice. The transition from glide to grip was smoother than my FBV, which in turn was smoother than standard ROH. The one thing that I will have to say is that during clinic drills on backwards crossovers, I was able to generate the same strong ripping noises for both my inside and outside edges, whereas before my outside edges (inside skate) were always weaker strokes from a noise standpoint. Whether I was actually better is still a matter of debate. When this sharpening wear out, I will try the next grippier setting to see if all this was because I chose the wrong initial setting.

I think "Glide" is a better term than speed, and that it is dependent primarily on the width of the flat surface. The bit of edge in the ice seems pretty small to significantly affect the glide. Edge angle and depth is definitely important for grip, but blade angle to the ice and the force applied applied to the blade is really important as well. For FBV, I would think that going to a higher edge angle and depth would cost little in speed; the trade-off would be in the smoothness of the transition from glide to grip and the amount of forgiveness for less than perfect technique. In fact, technique would be even more important, as with a traditional hollow system, a grippier sharpening is also a slower sharpening, whereas in FBV, a grippier sharpening can be a faster sharpening.

Can I send two sets, one for fbv and one for z channel equivalent to do a comparison for ourselves? I'll pay for both, of course.

Our goalie rolled his wheeled bag into the locker room last game after a long layoff. We thought he was skating out and were puzzled by the goalie stick. Next thing we know, he's back out the door and driving home because he forgot his leg pads. I think a bag with RFID tagging for equipment would be great for him.

Went back to a standard 5/8" on an emergent basis after being on 100/50 for a few months. The regular sharpening feels like I'm sitting deeper in the ice rather than floating on top. The sound is deeper and louder as well, and of course, glide was reduced. Not a lot of change in the mechanics of how I skated, but I was definitely working harder to keep the same pace. Will be switching back when I get the chance.

I thought that credit card minimums were not allowed by Visa or Mastercard as it would be a violation of the merchant agreement. I'm not sure about American Express.

If you want consistently serious play out of pickup, then you probably should look for another pickup group or a private ice rental where all the guys think the same way, or play in a higher level league. A lot of guys are at pickup to try something out or get a bit of exercise. It's not the same as pickup basketball, where the game can get mutually intense without animosity between players. There are a lot of chances for people to practice basketball without having to go to the park and play half court two on two for keeps. The same can't be said for ice hockey.

Someone drank from my water bottle at the MSH skate. Oh well. I keep my mouthguard in there before and after.

Touche, well played, sir.

Do they have "Not so sharp"and "Super duper sharp" as choices?