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Posts posted by Ivan
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Some interesting posts here reg. the FBV, Blademaster (they just got a new redisigned site), etc. According to one post even Wissota is shooting for their stand alone FBV type dressing system that is using Blackstone spinners
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Does any one have any idea if diamond spinners could be refurbished after they're done?I asked my diamond company(diamonds is all they do). After examining a used one I sent them, they said they couldn't do it. if you find a place, please let us know.
I am overseas in Ukraine now. The difference here would be that here they will say yes, we can do it, then take your money and do something that won't work. So my $ will be going to Blackstone for replacement spinners.
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Does any one have any idea if diamond spinners could be refurbished after they're done?
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I am strongly considering the blackstone x0-1 sharpener. I've read alot and researched this one and the wissota. SO I called Blackstone today and decided that I was going to order one if they were willing to substitute a fbv spinner. After a short conversation the salesperson said it was ok, but I would have to pay the $15 difference. (seems like pinching pennies to sell a $879 sharpener that I'm sure is half profit). Then the salesperson proceeding to try and sell me the "upgraded" skate holder for $100 extra. When I said I wasn't interested he told me that this is the one that all the NHL teams use and it was far superior to the holder that came with the X0-1. He said if I wanted it after I ordered the package it would be $250 and that they were phasing out the current holder for this new one because they had had some complaints about it. Well all of the sudden I wasn't so sure that I wanted the X0-1. I said I wanted to think it over since I was only getting it to sharpen my sons skates so it wasn't going to get alot of use and I was having a hard time justifying getting it at all, but the sharpener at the rink is horrible and they charge $8 and if I want a good edge I have to drive some distance. So then he told me the deal was only for today, and when I called back I wouldn't be able to get the upgraded holder for $100.Well sorry for the long post but now I'm concerned since he CLEARLY indicated that he "highly highly" recommended the upgraded holder. (He really said it twice.) My son is 10 and will probably play til he's 18 and then probably play rec hockey so he can keep it (if it lasts). But I will only be using it at most once a week to sharpen his skates and maybe every two weeks to sharpen mine. I'm not sure either one of us is good enough to notice the FBV edge. Should I just get the wissota? the Blackstone? what about the upgraded holder? Thanks in advance for reading this and helping.
DPT
When I was buying my Blackstone sharpener - I was a total novice. Knowing nothing or very little about skate sharpening makes buying decision very tough. Blackstone sure was not the only brand/company I was considering at the time. Per my experience with Blackstone folks - they're very professional, ethical , and patient (I'm embarrassed now how many e-mail exchanges I've had with them. Now I know how silly some of my questions were). Anyway, aside for patience and high professionalism, the Blackstone person didn't try to steer me towards spending more money and buying something I wouldn't need (i.e.they told me not to get the most expensive Scissors clamp)(I was getting a professional Spinner before teh FBV came out). The bottom line is: if they recommend it, get it. You won't regret the extra $100 by no means.
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Quick question on the 100/50 - if I'm having stability/slip issues on the flats of the 90/75, the 100/50 would be worse, due to the even shallower hollow, no?No. Also, you really should be fine on 90/75 unless you're in flyweight category. Give it some time (provided your skates are sharpened properly).
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Front page of the New York Times Sports section. Pretty sweet. Blackstone guys must be happy. -
Sorry if this was posted before. Just came across it
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Hockey Shop and i think there is only one more that do FBV in Vancouver, anyone know of anyone else? Its too far of a commute to get done, i talked to some shop owners and they are waiting to see the reaction it gets then they might think of moving to FBV.Danny L of Larry's Sports should be convinced to get one. I can't believe they're so closed to getting it. I didn't buy mine for making money of it and breathe the skates dust. But it sure has paid for itself buy driving more customers to the store to just sharpen and then when they see the stuff I got, they buy it. I can't understand how being busy as they are they still haven't gotten one.
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Thanks, JR!
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Kinda curious about the two screws at the bottom of Batgage. They don't really seem to do anything at a first glance. Or am I being wrong?
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The smaller the wheel, the more you have to dress it to get a proper shape on the wheel, thus killing the life out of your Spinners. It's cheaper to buy a new wheel than a new Spinner.JR, how can you be 100% sure the spinner is done? I'm noticing two of the ones I use the most spin longer now, yet still seem to be dressing the wheel.
Also, reg. the Batgage, in the very beginning I noticed it takes a little practice to properly put it on the blade. Is it possible to de-calibrate it somehow (by accidentally dropping it or by messing with the two crews at the bottom (I think my empoyee did that).
I also think that over time it might be loosing it's accuracy as skate blades cut into it's aluminum body.
Thank you.
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You noticed it right. I stopped using the batgage since pretty much of the beginning of the learning curve. In my case if I don't touch the pitch knob, the spinner (either regular or FBV) does perfect job, so, basically, there's no need to check the edges level. Now I reserve the batgage for customers who potentially would want to check the edges level.Get the kick out of the FBV myself, especially on a harder ice.
Do you find that you need to adjust the knobs significantly with different blade widths?
Absolutely. But that doesn't irate me or something. To me it means better precision coming from using the tri-lie holder (I have a professional turbo portable spinner with the U-12 Tri-Lie holder)
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I've been working with the X-01 for the second day, and can now get even edges and smooth passes. I've noticed that the batgage does not fit on certain goalie blades, as it seems to be designed for the width of player blades.You noticed it right. I stopped using the batgage since pretty much of the beginning of the learning curve. In my case if I don't touch the pitch knob, the spinner (either regular or FBV) does perfect job, so, basically, there's no need to check the edges level. Now I reserve the batgage for customers who potentially would want to check the edges level.
Get the kick out of the FBV myself, especially on a harder ice.
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Just tried out the 100/75 FBV today, with a 20/32' combo radius with medium forward lean (goalie). It does feel a lot like 3/8" ROH, but it isn't enough bite for me as I'm used to a 5/16" radius. It holds its edge pretty well, but may be more dependent on the brand of steel used. Has anyone heard if Blackstone is coming out with a spinner with more bite?Give it more time. The FBV requires some adjustment. The chances are you won't need more edge than 100/75
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How many dressings are you getting out of a FBV spinner? I'm getting a Mag-50 to use with a BM portable, and am curious how often I'll be replacing the spinner.Right now I'm on my fourth wheel with the same 90/75 FBV spinner. So far so good
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Totally worth it. Lasts longer and performs better. I'm upset I don't have time to get it done for my game tonight, and will have to use a shitty ROH sharpening.What I think is funny though is that no one really knows about it in Vancouver. I ask every hockey shop I go to and most either haven't heard of it, or claim it's un proven yet and not worth the investment. I think they need to get on MSH
Larry's Sports in North Vancouver must have the FBV
Nope. They were the ones that said it was unproven and not worth the investment at this time. They didn't want to affect their current customer base.
Then Danny L screwed up.
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Totally worth it. Lasts longer and performs better. I'm upset I don't have time to get it done for my game tonight, and will have to use a shitty ROH sharpening.What I think is funny though is that no one really knows about it in Vancouver. I ask every hockey shop I go to and most either haven't heard of it, or claim it's un proven yet and not worth the investment. I think they need to get on MSH
Larry's Sports in North Vancouver must have the FBV
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I'm joining this thread REALLY late in the game.My shop's had the FBV for a while, but I've been too stubborn to try it until now. I took a 90/75 to freshly flooded ice... I've never felt anything like that before. It was incredible; felt like I was skating on velvet. But in a good way.
I get the best results on 90/75 FBV. I don't actually think that " the time will show" The time has showed. I simply can't go back to traditional hollow.
I'm joining this thread REALLY late in the game.My shop's had the FBV for a while, but I've been too stubborn to try it until now. I took a 90/75 to freshly flooded ice... I've never felt anything like that before. It was incredible; felt like I was skating on velvet. But in a good way.
I get the best results on 90/75 FBV. I simply can't go back to traditional hollow sharpening. Ytied to compare a few time. Big difference. I thank the time has already shown the FBV is here to stay
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Does anyone else own a Blackstone Spinner w/FBV in Europe? Or is it just me. Currently in Ukraine.
Just curious.
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I wouldn't take those "conversions" too seriously. The FBV gives a very different feel than a standard ROH.FWIW..I used to skate on 3/4, and went to a 90/75. That FBV has way more bite and glide.
Second that
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They're not really 100% comparable but maybe this will help
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Not sure how intellectual property rights apply either. The flat bottom vee is a great idea and kudos to Blackstone for implementing it. However machinists have been doing this for years. Just google "diamond roller dresser" and you'll come up with plenty of diamond dusted shaped that can be used as a negative or positive to make a shape, or in this case, make a shape in a stone, which then makes the shape in something else. Blackstone would still be selling the product of the spinner, but could they require you to buy a machine or a $1700 assembly? Trying to think of a similar example in retail, wasn't there something with Tuuk blade patents?As for the wearing of the spinners, I bet if you go across the wheel rather than straight at it, you can get a nice light touch on the wheel, similar to touching a skate to the wheel to get a witness mark.
But it appears that NOBODY ever thought of changing the hollow concept that would give break through benefits to hockey players but Blackstone Sports. And their FBV concept obviously works very well. In my case none of my customers would go back (to traditional hollow) after having tried the FBV. IMHO, Blackstone sharpeners are the best.
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IMO, It'd sure be interesting to find out about the actual results. Looks like it may work. From a quick look, in this case you loose the advantage of the three-lie holder though.
Then I'm not sure how ethical this would be as far as Blackstone Sports is concerned.
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My guess may be wrong but it probably won't work on ProSharp sharpeners
Blackstone Flat-Bottom V Thread
in Ice Hockey Equipment
Posted · Edited by Ivan · Report reply
Here http://blackstonesport.com/technology.cfm they say When trying the FBV, a skater should understand that the feel on the first use will be different, but then after a few minutes of warm-up, the transition will be effortless and the advantages and speed of the FBV will be apparent quickly. My personal experience - this is very true.