GKC

......Just curious JR. I'm wondering if you would, with FBV, need to adjust your sharpening winter vs summer? I'm in southern Ontario and haven't really noticed a difference in bite or glide during the summer. Course it could be that the ice I'm on is extremely hard (it's at the local university and the place is wikid freezing cold). I'm sure it depends where you are. Does the ice change a ton in the winter in the south? I've never skated south of Ohio, so I have no reference..... I would think that FBV being not a deep cut, would be a HUGE advantage in climates where the ice changes drastically...IE: you wouldn't need to alter what your used to. ...just wonderin' -G

...Plus re-training the staff. Even if you have a stable full of great tech's, that hour or so you spend telling them about the system, and explaining the how's and why's...It's still time. Then there's the sales staff... It's not much of an investment if it never gets sold. -G

Does anyone know where one is available for download? -G

I started all of them on 90/75...Which I suggest for most people trying FBV for the first time, and it seemed to work out pretty well. I moved them up to 100/75 based on the feedback, and what I could see from their play. Most of them felt the 100/75 was too keen, and a bunch of them were catching edges all over the place. Some of them went back to the 90/75, some are on 100/50, some on 100/75. It's kinda hard to get an accurate read on most of the kids. You almost feel like your leading the answers when trying to get an opinion out of them. I had to keep reminding myself that they are 8 and 9 years old, have only been skating for 3 to 4 years, and probably had no idea what I was talking about. They...God love them....just want to play Hockey. I think It's a bit of a moving target. You have to find the one that works best for that given individual. I know that sounds a little generic....But everyone, including kids will find a grind that they feel will work best for them. And there is always the guy's who sharpen their skates three times a year and could care less. Sorry about the "No Hockey" rule. Our store does bicycles and Hockey...I kinda can't ever get away from either. Maybe I should look at that rock climbing thing...course there is the fear of height's to deal with... -G

So a little update..... We have had our new Blackstone triple head machine, with the spinner, since the end of February. I couldn't be happier with the machine. It has brought us a TON of new business, and it works beautifully. I myself have been sharpening for over 20 years, and compared with our previous equipment, this machine is absolutely a joy to use. Steve at Blackstone has been wonderful to deal with, and when the time comes for a second machine for our other location, it will be a Blackstone. Business aside, I have also been skating on FBV since we got the machine. It truly is like nothing I've used before. I'm currently on the 100/50, and I feel fast...real fast. The other slugs I play with, that can get past their "ways" and try it, also tell me that they feel faster and more agile than they have in years. Also have a bunch of ref's and a few senior OHL players on it. They all agree it's really like nothing else out there. I also have had the pleasure to do a little experimenting with my son's novice team this year. After switching them to FBV, I can honestly say that there was a definate improvement in their play this year. They just seemed to be winning races, and skating better. Maybe it's just a fathers eyes, or their improvement as the year went on, but man...they seemed better. I do have a few questions for the seasoned sharpeners out there... Why no cross grinding? If done properly, with a light touch, would you not remove less material than repeated grinding on your finish wheel? Especially going from standard ROH to FBV? I can see not using the cross wheel when re-sharpening with the same cut, but when changing for the first time..... If your good at what you do, you should never be altering the profile of the blade. Anyone tried combo grinding FBV for goalie skates? Do you use any kind of stink/mold killer on the skates while they are in your store? I gotta say their were times this season when that corner of the store was brutal... What profiling systems are you using? That's all I have for now. Thanks all for a great thread. -G

Hi guy's... Just found this thread. I can't believe how many pages there are! We just got our new machine about two weeks ago, and I can't believe how many people already know about FBV. People are driving from quite far away to get their skates done. I'm floored! I guess word travels fast. I've been on the 90/75 since we got the machine, what a difference. The glide is unbelieveable. the bite isn't quite as sharp as the 1/2" I came from, but I haven't yet lost an edge. I'll try the 100/50 later this week and see how that works. I'd like just a bit more bite than the 90/75. I am curious if anyone has seen any difference in smaller kids? I put my 8yr old on it and he says it's awesome, how objective that is we will have to see. Have to say that dealing with Steve from Blackstone has been a great expierence. Great service, and a really awesome piece of machinery. Now if I could just convince him not to sell anymore machines in my area..... Thanks, G