darkhors

I agree here. I've had a Sparx for just about a year and the only time I run into "issues" is when I mess up the height of the starting point. I'm very detailed when it comes to things like this, so I try to get it perfect and once in a while I'll have to stop it after the first cycle to readjust the starting point because I'm just a hair to high. Other than that I haven't had any issues with it. It works just as it should and I've had multiple people in my league tell me how much better their skates feel then when they were getting them done at one of the local shops. To be fair (said in British accent), we don't have anyone in the area that I would consider to be a Professional skate sharpener, but we do have 1 or 2 people who have been doing it for a long time. That said, one of our guys is getting older and sometimes it seems like he's off just a bit so there's a very small bit of inconsistency. The thing with the Sparx that I really like is that it doesn't change the profile of the blade unless you have the height adjustment too high. I have Blacksteel on my skates and I never have an issue with them. The only time I get out of pitch sounds is when someone gives me their skates and the blades are totally #$#@$ up with huge nicks and such. Once it levels the edge out though, it's back to the neutral pitch sound that we're used to. Having 5 pairs of skates to sharpen in the family makes it worth the time and money to have one of these.

Most people feel "floaty" when trying FBV or Fire, you should. You're sitting on top of the ice instead of digging in. Mark, since you're using Fire already, I wouldn't be worried about trying the 3/4 Fire. The biggest thing is what kind of ice you're skating on. Is the ice you play on consistent? Is it hard, soft? The softer the ice, the shallower you can go, but I skate on medium to hard ice and have never had an issue holding an edge on the 5/8 Fire. I don't have a 3/4 Fire yet to try, but I would give it go if I had it.

If you thought the blade on the 6.0 was too pingy, try the Xcore9ACF (2019 version). It has a softer feeling to the blade but still has the BRT (braided rib tech) to keep it strong and stiff. If you liked the one90, I think this would be a very similar type of stick, but with new tech. Also, the flylite has gotten a lot of good reviews too. Honestly though, you should be looking at prostock sticks. You get a better stick and the cost is about 1/2 of what you'd pay for a top end retail stick.

I came from a 100/50 FBV and I absolutely love the 5/8's FIRE. He may think it's not quite as much bite, but it's there. I've never had an issue holding an edge because of my skates. If I blow a tire, it's because of me, not the skates. I've actually been switching people over to the 5/8 FIRE from 1/2 ROH in my beer league and they're loving it too.

That's comparing apples to oranges. Regardless of the profile, you should have noticed much more glide on a 92/50 over a 1/2" with the radius being the same. As for what depth to go. If you're running a 5/8" ROH right now and want more bite but still keep the glide, I would go 90/50 FBV or a 5/8 Fire from sparx. I went from a 90/75 FBV to the 5/8" Fire and have been very happy with the results. I still get way more than enough bite, but I don't feel like I'm digging into the ice when I'm gliding.

Yeah, you should be fine with the Sr. Mine fits well, it just takes a little adjustment when you first put it on.

They make a Senior and Junior, the same way Bauer does. My understanding with all fishbowls is they are all Sr or Jr sizes. I've never seen an adult have an issue with the senior size fishbowls. Even most of the kids in high school that I know are using Senior sizes.

Yeah, I just didn't want to do that since I had the other ones.

It's on a Bauer ReAkt 75. I actually had to use my old Bauer clips on the top and the j clips because I couldn't get the top clips to push together enough to get the screws into the helmet, so I used my Bauer ones and they worked perfect. The clips are nice though, they look like the modified bauer clips. The j-clips have 2 spaces for the screws and I think they should have made it one long space because I needed to go a little lower and I couldn't because they stopped at the top of both holes. I hope this makes sense, but when you see them you'll understand.

The best girdle I've owned (and currently use) is the RBK 9k pro stock. You can get them on sideline swap if you're not in a huge rush and they are by far, the best girdles out there. They have enough adjustment and the best protection, plus there are so many shells you can use with them because a ton of pro's still wear them. I bought mine on SLS for about $100 brand new.

I just bought this and am coming from the Bauer Hybrid. I wanted something a little lighter and I know how bad the Bauer Concept III can be with fogging. What I noticed right away when putting it on is that the holes are noticeably bigger on the CCM compared to the concept and it sits a hair further away from your face. It'll be interesting to see how it goes when I get out on the ice.

I also sharpen Step Blacksteel in the sisters and it gives a great finish on the steel!

Agreed, the sweet stick is absolute garbage. It single handedly ruined the edges of my daughters teammate during a league semi-final game. Luckily we won and I took her skates home and sharpened them up, but she was so upset during the game that it compounded the issue of having zero edge on her skates. Confidence lost and over thinking began. Never use a sweet stick, ever!

So I have 3 people in my house who each skate multiple times a week, plus my brother and his kid. If you figure $10 a pair x 5 people over the course of a season, we're going to break even very quickly. Here's a few things I really love about the machine. 1.) I don't have to worry about the pressure I'm putting on the skate blades. It's consistent each and every time. I can run 2 passes on my skates before I play or once a week. I'm on the ice about 4 hours a week and 2 of those are just coaching. 2.) it's super easy to change hollows. If I decide to go with something different, I just unscrew the ring, put the new ring in and off I go. I usually check the calibration every 10 sharpenings or so unless I notice something's off when I check the edges. 3.) I can put this almost anywhere. If I want to put in my dining room, I can do that without fear of having metal shavings everywhere. I can also take it with me to tournaments and do it in the hotel room and know that my edges are perfect. We weighed the options, but for us it seemed like a no brainer and less work to achieve the same results. We're also sharpening for other kids, beer league teammates and such so we're making a little money on the side to help offset the cost of rings too. One thing I would say is to get the sparx edge checker. I have the Blademaster one and it's good, but the sparx is better for just a little more money.

What is the difference in pitch between this holder and the edge or the new Step? Is it more forward than the Edge?

This guide is the best thing there is out there for stick codes and to my knowledge was put together by a few EQM's. So it should be pretty spot on. The LK does in fact mean low kick.

The Bauer hybrid is the best for not fogging. I wear it now and have never had one issue with fogging. I don't even have to use any anti-fog spray. I just use that if I need to get some smudges off. It's a little heavier than the regular bubble, but you don't notice it when it's on your head and strapped up. I highly recommend it. I went from a visor to a cage and had to switch after about 3 weeks because I just couldn't stop seeing the bars.

Thanks, I totally missed that in the menu.

@JR Boucicaut is the one on the right the flare square?

What about the edge checker from Sparx? Or should I get the BR100? I'm looking at picking up a Sparx over the break so I want to get an edge checker that I could possibly use if I try out the flare. I can't seem to find the Flare square anywhere online to purchase.

Has anyone successfully used the Sparx on these? I'm wondering since the Fire ring is a rounded FBV if that would work and just go with the most shallow ring?

I know you said you had issues with Step being tough to get in, but I can't express how impressed I've been with my Blacksteel (I also use Edge holders). It really is a great product. I'm not against massive or tydan, but you can find Blacksteel for cheaper than both of those if you look around.

They shouldn't be running "systems" yet at that age. Fundamentals and basic knowledge of positioning is the most important thing outside of making it fun for them. I agree with everyone, pull your kid out and get them on another team a.s.a.p before he never wants to play the game again. That would be the worst thing to happen.

Wear OS is the new version of Android Wear. They just renamed it Wear OS because it's the OS for wearable products. I have a ticwatch S and that's what they use so you can download all apps from the Google Play store.

Any chance you're going to get this on Wear OS anytime soon?