Maximum Edge vs. Blademaster

[moose77 0]

I'm looking at having my skates contoured/profiled to try and extract a bit more performance out of them. My question is this...some LHSs advertise the Maximum Edge system and some the Blademaster system. Does one do a better job of setting up one's skates for maximum perfornace than the other? Is there a contouring system better than these two I might look for at a shop?

Any advice, especially from LHS employees, would be greatly appreciated.

[prenny207 1]

max edge is a technique, blademaster is the machine that is used. even if the dealer is max edge trained they are still using blademaster (most times anyways). find somebody that u trust. doest matter in the end what they advertise, it matters whether or not they know what they are doing.

[Jason 65]

Not sure if Blademaster has a system out. I know that my sharpener uses the Maximum Edge system on a Blademaster machine and the results have been phenomenal. I couldn't be happier.

Is there a better system than Maximum Edge? I'm not sure, it's the only one I have experience with. I have been very please with my profiles and sharpenings thus far.

Keep in mind that it doesn't so much matter about the system, but the technician behind the wheel (sharpening wheel that is). I've also heard of technicians using the ME system that butchered peoples skates pretty badly. Ask JR or Chadd if they know anyone in your area that does good profiles. Heck, maybe JR can do your skates for you. Isn't he in the Detroit area?

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

Both Blademaster and Blackstone sell bars/holders for profiling.

I use Blackstone's.

[Jason 65]

JR,

Do you find Blackstone's to be superior?

[moose77 0]

Not sure if Blademaster has a system out. I know that my sharpener uses the Maximum Edge system on a Blademaster machine and the results have been phenomenal. I couldn't be happier.

Is there a better system than Maximum Edge? I'm not sure, it's the only one I have experience with. I have been very please with my profiles and sharpenings thus far.

Keep in mind that it doesn't so much matter about the system, but the technician behind the wheel (sharpening wheel that is). I've also heard of technicians using the ME system that butchered peoples skates pretty badly. Ask JR or Chadd if they know anyone in your area that does good profiles. Heck, maybe JR can do your skates for you. Isn't he in the Detroit area?

Jason,

Who's your sharpener? I see you hail from Vancouver, I live just south of the line in Birch Bay, Washington and Vancouver's an easy drive.

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

JR,

Do you find Blackstone's to be superior?

Over Blademaster's?

Yes. You can retrofit it to any table on the market and it has more settings than Blademaster's (8 pitch settings in each direction). The Blademaster one is embedded in the table, which is nice, but you can only go 3 in each direction.

[trox_355 0]

Kinda OT, but on a Wissota machine, isn't profiling a freehand operation?

[mxpowder 1]

Anyone know of custom sharpeners in the Southeren California area? I've got a pretty good pitch, just wondering if someone I could work with localy....not so much down time mailing.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Kinda OT, but on a Wissota machine, isn't profiling a freehand operation?

Ummmm no there is no such thing as freehand profiling......all systems have bars to measure against!

[moose77 0]

I'M A BELIEVER!!! I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!!!

A couple weeks back, based on recommendations and suggestions provided to me by hockeymom, oldtrainerguy, and jason, I took my skates to a Maximum Edge dealer and had my Bauer 5000s profiled.

The gentleman at Ultimate Edge Sports (inside Ice Sports North Shore in North Vancouver,BC) listened to me explain how I mostly use my skates (officiating) and recommended a 9/10 profile with forward lean and a 5/8 hollow to get me more "up" on the ice rather than digging into it as much. He then held each of my blades against a 9/10 template and showed me why I was having problems. Turns out one of my skates only had about 1/2" of blade actually touching the ice while gliding. He also asked if I felt like I was fighting falling back while skating backwards. I told him yes and he said he could adjust that as well, putting me in more of a "leaning forward" position. His cost for these services was $34.50CDN.

I picked them up a week later and tried them out lining two Peewee AA games that weekened. The shallower hollow did take getting used to, as I felt like I had no bite on my starts and that they wanted to slide out from under me. I DEFINITELY noticed a difference in my ability to maintain speed while gliding and that the new forward lean helped with forward skating. After a few games in them, I'm finally used to the new hollow, I'm feeling faster than I have been in years since it's easier to get up to speed and maintain it, backward skating has improved as well since I can skate in the proper position, and I've noticed my knees feel better after officiating in several games in a row. My only regret is I wish I'd done this sooner!

Many thanks to the folks that answered my questions on this subject and helped me see the light. OTG, I'll probably wait until the fall/winter season is done before trying the 9.5/10/5 profile you recommended but I try it. After my kid's game this morning, we're heading back to North Van and I'm having HIS skates profiled as well!

[trox_355 0]

Ummmm no there is no such thing as freehand profiling......all systems have bars to measure against!

Okay, it seems like i remember someone saying something about how it's done by eye. Good to know.

[biff44 0]

The good things about flatter hollow are that there is less friction, and it is easier to get two parallel edges using some jamoke at the LHS (shallower hollow so the set up of the machine is less critical).

The bad thing is that the edges will bight less into the ice, so you may find yourself sharpening them more often. Get a good stone and work on those edges every game!

[Jason 65]

Hey Moose,

Glad to hear that everything worked out for you. Do try the 9.5/10.5 next profile. I found that to be the best balance between stability/glide & agility. I also am on a forward leaning profile. I feel that it is absolutely necessary for Tuuk holders. Don't give up on the shallower hollow. You will adjust. I went from 3/8" to 1" in about a year. I'm down to 7/8" now for the winter, but I will probably go back to an inch or more for the softer ice in summer. If you way more than me (180lbs), you should be able to skate on 3/4" without any problems. Let me know how your kids skates work out.

Cheers,

Jason

[moose77 0]

Hey Moose,

Glad to hear that everything worked out for you. Do try the 9.5/10.5 next profile. I found that to be the best balance between stability/glide & agility. I also am on a forward leaning profile. I feel that it is absolutely necessary for Tuuk holders. Don't give up on the shallower hollow. You will adjust. I went from 3/8" to 1" in about a year. I'm down to 7/8" now for the winter, but I will probably go back to an inch or more for the softer ice in summer. If you way more than me (180lbs), you should be able to skate on 3/4" without any problems. Let me know how your kids skates work out.

Cheers,

Jason

Since you asked...

Had my son's skates profiled at Ultimate Edge, they put the same profile on his size 3 Bauer 3000s that I have on my 5000s (9/10 with 5/8 radius). Just like with me, it took him a couple ice times to get used to the change but now he just loves it! His new saying is "I'm faster than fast, quicker than quick!" I'm just glad he's enjoying himself.

As for myself, I'm used to the 5/8 hollow now and am considering going flatter. Perhaps 3/4 or the 7/8 you mentioned. I'm going to keep the current profile for a bit though, as I'm hoping to play spring hockey with my oldest son. When the season ends in June, I'll probably try the 9.5/10.5 profile and spend time over the summer getting used to it.