Chadd

Finally found my FBV spinners, Blackstone had my old address on file and I had to track them to my old townhouse complex. The box was just sitting on the floor in the office. The best part was getting an edge back on my skates again just in time for a playoff game. I had been going without a sharpening since the Michigan game. I almost forgot how magical the glide really is on fresh edges.

That's an article you will never see in the US. Good balance but it's a shame the writer wasn't able to offer his impressions of the FBV.

FYI: For the two of you that keep posting place that is taking "pre-orders", you can stop. Every dealer will have the stuff.

What hollow did you use before? 7/16" So you've gone from 7/16 to something with the bite roughly equivalent to 5/8 and the edges are still sticky? Something sounds odd here, did you have them profiled at the same time?

What hollow did you use before?

It's a very big toe with rounded edges, not fully square but larger than something like a Lindros.

X01 and X02 are both very good value for the money and selling very well, don't expect any discounts for a while. It would probably be cheaper to buy a second set of steel and always carry a backup to tournaments and road games. That seems much easier and more logical to me.

But they are available on the bigger Blackstone machines, correct?? Asked my LHS today and the guy said they weren't released yet, but I'm thinking they just haven't ordered it... Jimmy has one so I'm guessing they are available. Your shop might not be aware of their release.

fair enough - but at least was my line of though correct? I'm just not sure how 100/50 would actually offer more bite then let's say 90/75 - sure edges would a have a bit sharper angle, but they'd by 33% less deep?! It's not like you should be wearing them down to the point of being flat, it shouldn't be a big factor. Depth and bite don't have the same correlation as they used to with something like an FBV

Chadd, Do you know if there are plans to do so? Thanks. Bob I would expect them to be available eventually.

The /50 spinners aren't available on the mini so there is less experience with them.

The only issue there would be making sure you were actually at a point where the wheel would be flat, not really all that tough if you already have a jig holding the skate. It would just require mounting the bench grinder at the proper height.

I've been getting a fantastic finish with the regular spinner on my X02 and the stock wheel. I did up some old tacks and the finish was stunning for a portable.

I'm actually not a fan of them, but I agree that it provides some interesting opportunities moving forward.

no idea as I haven't seen a price list, but compared to other brands/models they should retail for around $99

I think Bauer is pretty on with their release dates. My one95 stick booking arrived a day early and you can bet that FLD's will have the X:60's at their front door come April 10th. Hell they were ordered in September, they should be able to have them delivered by April. They have also missed in the past.

Nobody ever hits their release dates anyway, what does it matter?

Vaughn only has the right to sell tackla pants in Canada, Montreal sells tackla in the US.

Isn't Warrior's 4 the same as everyone else's 5 for the most part? Depends on the rocker

Those aren't really very different options are they? Either way it isn't good.

FBV is the biggest advancement in skate sharpening in most of our lifetimes, it is not a fad. Further advancements may eventually surpass it, but to call it a fad shows a lack of understanding the concept as well as the industry. Changing your profile may or may not benefit a skater, as they may already be using the best profile for them and their game. Meanwhile the FBV will improve your straight line speed, regardless of the profile on your skates, while not reducing your ability to stop, turn or cut. Even at the NHL level, players do not stride for every second of every shift and even if they did, they would be carrying more speed into every cut or turn thanks to the FBV.

Bauer used to do a bunch of toe curves in their wood blades and none of them exist anymore. If any manufacturer thought they could sell more sticks or blades by offering a toe curve, don't you think they would? Of course, you would then have the people saying they want it in a different lie or change the rocker or ....., it really would turn into an endless "if only" situation. It is amazing how many of us are still around from the old days, we really do appreciate the fact that so many people still like to hang out with us.

I'm not scared of it, I just don't like it. :) I'm usually pretty good on my shifts though. The only exceptions are when I get stuck on the wrong side of the ice and everyone else goes for a line change or if I'm on the point during a PP and we're controlling play.

Next time just get longer screws and leave the old holders in place. ;)

Youth skates are a pain in the ass on any sharpener, same story with smaller goalie skates. As to your other problem are the edges level to begin with?