mnpucker

This is what I found as well. I have changed to numbers up because it seems best centered there.

Quick question, when you install a spinner do you insert it with the stamped ROH notification side up (where the ROH is imprinted) or the other? Also do any of you have problems determining what FBV your spinners are due to wear? The stamped numbers have worn down on a couple of mine to the point I cannot tell what they are.

Number up for me.

I find it hard to believe that a bit of sweat build up could ever impact anyones foot speed. Seriously? When compared to skates 5, 10, 20 years ago these skates today are nearly weightless. Here is what I learned from the LPH show at the Mn State Tourney. M2 has a redesign of the hot spot as I had heard. I was told that the problem with the old skate was that the thermo form Gel was settling downward each time the boot was baked, including the initial bake. The nearest seam/stitching that defined the gels placement was low enough that the gel settled below the plastic from the tendon guard. Thus the hot spot. M2 has a new thermoform material that is less susceptible to "settling" additionally the seam/stitching placement was raised slightly to insure the thermoform gel stays put.

I was able to bake and try these on today. I currently wear 8.5 One95's. I fit into the 8.5 Mako. What a unique feeling skate, as I told my son about some of the details, specifically the tendon guard, he wrinkled his nose and said I never notice it on my One100s. Upon trying the Mako on his response was obvious. The flexible tendon guard had a unique feel, he really liked it. The tendon guard flex and low boot cut really gives the skate a totally unique feel. Had some one on one time with Dave Cruikshank as well. This is a very interesting skate, I will be buying a pair as soon as available.

This is why he did not bake them. Also he has another "Review" on his site now.

Converted and will never go back. Obviously owning a X02 makes it easy for me. Curious about why people did not like 100/50 as well. It happens to be preferred for everyone I know.

Just use a dime" :)

I saw a pair on ice last night 14 year old in MN, happened also to have the Orange blacked out. The heel is quite bright but they looked good blacked out. I watched him skate, he is a good skater normally but he really looked like he was edging deeper and smoother than many on power turns. The skate is noticable on the ice.

I have owned my Xo2 from the very beginning , in fact I would be willing to be I got one of the first production sharpeners. Going on 2 years this fall? Your usage's nearly identical to mine. 2 Boys and myself. I settled on 100/50 all year round. I think purchasing the Xo2 was the best buy I have ever made. Sorry to all you shop owners for my next statement. A byproduct of sharpening your own skates is less side purchases every time you go to the shop to get a sharpening. The overall benefit is the flexibility owning a sharpener gives you. Game Day after Xmas and forgot to get the skates sharpened? no problem. You will not be sorry. A couple things, get the Ruby wheel, tef top, the upgraded holder and fine shine. Cannot speak on the current Bat Gage. I like my magnetic edge checker. For outdoor ice the 100/75 is the right edge. my boys are 11 and 12 and play all year long at least 3 days a week 2 hours per skate. Winter is more random. I am 6'1" 235 we all like the 100/50. For those that say FBV does not last as long as ROH? the answer is get yourself a MIracle stone and use it after each skate. You will find the FBV edge preserves quite a while. I would say my boys get 2.5 - 3 weeks (almost 18 hours on ice) out of each sharpen. Blackstone has been amazing to deal with. great service and nice people. Good Luck.

We actually have the ability to drill out safes at work in our shop. I will let you know how it goes.

Yeah I got that....one way or another I will get that thing drilled out.

Thanks Sak, One question, you are right about wear on the aluminim of the other types of edge tools out there. Can you help me be more confident that the springs on the BG will remain equal in resistance? I am sure opening up the holes would reduce the tendency of the BG to hang up. I will try drilling it out. Thanks

Hey they make great products, unfortunately my experience with the bat gage I have is not one that I can recommend. I would like to know what is new and improved? I hope the new one works for them. Anyone want an old one? haha

Depends on how much beer you drink I suppose. The only time I make much noise is when I drink way too much beer. Kidding, kind of. I would say that the X02 makes about the same noise as any other brander I have heard. The loudest part of my set up is the Shop vac I have set up for dust removal. So I guess the X02 is not as loud as a shop vac. I have my X02 set up on a work bench I purchased from Lowe's that measures about 48" l x 24" d. Glad I have that much space, it allows me a work space for honing. I do suggest a good light over the set up. My bench has a fluorescent light immediately above the sharpener. I posted pics about 3000 pages ago on this thread.!

100/50, tef top, magnetic edge checker (sorry blackstone but stay away from the bat gauge), ruby wheel is the best IMO (it dresses the blade cleaner than orange), fine shine is fun to play with but not necessary. Travel case>? I have one and use it for out of town tourneys. aside from that a good vac system and a table....might as well make a man cave out of the set up.....mini fridge for a couple beers.

Best purchase I have ever made. It is not difficult. As Rachel said take your time with some old steel. Get the 100/50, tef top (recently used for the first time.....wow what a difference). You will not regret it. Forgot get the edge checker for sure.....

I have to agree with Rachel and JR. Getting in touch with ROH once in awhile will make you appreciate FBV all over again. Regarding poor sharpening jobs, now that I own my own X02 sharpener I know that if I did not I would invest in some sort of edge checker. I would not leave the shop without checking it. I suppose you could have the shop clamp the edge checker on prior to leaving the shop to insure a level sharpening. You are paying money, simply ask the shop to show you if the edges are level.....I think that is fair. There is absolutely no reason you should have to go out and waste an hour on ice to confirm if they did their job right. No way you cant appreciate FBV once you find the right hollow and it is done properly.

Take the cover off and keep using it.

Steve/Chadd I typed out a long response earlier today and then said screw it and deleted it. Steve summed up the direction I was going. Service, service, service, sell me on your shop, convince me you care to find what is best for me. An offer such as previously mentioned combined with a sincere effort to find that right FBV would go a long way toward keeping me as a customer. I go to the shop that I get the best service from. If a shop invests in the FBV system I would assume they would want to do everything possible to get people to use it. I definitely did not intend to suggest giving it away for nothing.

Considering shops charge more for FBV, sometimes a lot more, I intended to suggest an idea that might help LHS' get more people to try it so you can generate MORE revenue not take a "hit". If a shop wants to go with FBV I would think you would want to find a way to get customers to like the edge considering the investment in the equipment. Especially considering how PRO Blackstone this site is. I have talked to people that tried it one time and went back to ROH because they were not totally comfortable with their first choice....usually 90-75 if I am not mistaken. FBV is a unique and new (to Majority of the public) product, it carries some level of uncertainty with its effectiveness. My suggestion was for what 3 sharpenings? give them a 2 for the price of three card. If not whatever I could care less I got my own sharpener. Maybe you just want to go with the "house" job, that is probably the reason so many of us are buying sharpeners....we are being forced to get whatever we are given.

My son is 5' 83 pounds just turned 10. I have learned that they prefer 100-50 in the summer and 90-75 in the winter. 90-75 had a bit too much bite on soft summer ice so we went to 100-50. My other son is 5'3" 114 and 12 he has the very same preference. Hope that helps. As stated though you need to try a couple before settling. I think the LHS's should offer some sort of a "try till in fits" card. I imagine a punch card that lists the various FBV numbers, the lhs could stamp each as the player uses it. I would assume a shop would need to offer 3 sharpenings at some sort of reduced cost to allow for players to settle into the best fit. Once you try the cuts you will know what you need to do as ice conditions change.....just a thought.

I agree wtih Rachel that it does take some time to round the wheel. But I too have the moaning sound from time to time and it begins at the same time you mentioned (mid protion of the blade). I have no answers for you however. Sometimes it is there and then it goes away.

Does the noise also create any kind of chatter marks on your blade? I have had a noise that sounds more like a moan to me....I just vacuum and keep it clean.

Not a ton of technical data here but it is a start. think they are flat as well. It appears the bur is simply turned up.