For you sharpeners out there...

[AHF 1]

What's the sharpest you've done a goalie skate at?

I ask because I just had a fellow ask for 1/4. (!!!)

Since it was a rather odd request, I confirmed with him that that was indeed what he wanted, and he said yes. I also asked him if he had skated on 1/4 before, and he also said yes. So I assume he knew what he was getting...

[Chadd 916]

Butterfly guys get them pretty deep. I did a pair at 3/8 a couple summers ago for an AHL goalie who was running a clinic for us.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I've done goal skates at 1/4" as well. Like Chadd said, butterfly goalies get them pretty deep.

[AHF 1]

Right on. That reassures me a little. As I was doing them, I kept thinking to myself "this CAN'T be right". :)

(He was a goalie coach for a camp of some sort, so I trust that he knew what he was asking for.)

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I hate doing it because it literally takes forever.

[AHF 1]

I hate doing it because it literally takes forever.

Indeed. The fact that I had to dress the wheel 3 times (Once before, twice during) didn't help. :lol:

[DarkStar50 679]

We have 1 goalie that gets a 1/4" hollow. We charge him more than the standard goalie sharpening. He understands and has no problem since he knows it is taking us much longer to sharpen his skates.

[aarondevera 0]

I have a regular who comes in and asks for what he likes to call the "Belfour" cut: The outside edge is cross-ground, but is about "1/6 higher than the inside edge, sharpened at a 3/8. I'm still questioning whether or not it really matters that the actual sharpened edge is 3/8 +-, but he insists it does.

[VakarLajos 5]

I hate doing it because it literally takes forever.

Yeah, it does!

A friend of mine does his at 5/16. Getting them perfect is a very good affirmation of the time I've put into the craft though.

[Ngo_35 1]

I have a regular who comes in and asks for what he likes to call the "Belfour" cut: The outside edge is cross-ground, but is about "1/6 higher than the inside edge, sharpened at a 3/8. I'm still questioning whether or not it really matters that the actual sharpened edge is 3/8 +-, but he insists it does.

My manager used to do Belfour's skate at the hockey shop. He told me about how Belfour would love the inside edge higher but I didn't think he had the outside edges cross ground.

Back on topic...

There are some goalies who ask for a deep 3/8 cut but when you look at their previous sharpen it'll be flat! I always ask how did they like their last cut and they say it was great. So be weary before giving the very deep cut to some guys. But for the regulars there's nothing much you can do but dread the length of time :) I have one friend who likes a combo cut on his goal skates, deep in the toes and shallow for the rest of the blade. That my friends, takes a semi long time.

[armada 0]

Can somebody give a time estimate it takes to do this job?

[Chadd 916]

Can somebody give a time estimate it takes to do this job?

Until it's done right.

[DarkStar50 679]

It depends on when you think you are done, if they are done! That is, level and true. 10 to 15 minutes plus taking them out of the holder, checking for level and putting them back in the holder, and taking them out of the holder, checking for level and putting them back in the holder and taking them out of the holder, checking for level........ It is not the type of sharpening you can rush through!

[AHF 1]

There are some goalies who ask for a deep 3/8 cut but when you look at their previous sharpen it'll be flat!

...and that was exactly why I was worrying so much.

In my mind, there was no way they were cut at 1/4 the previous time. EDIT: He did say he used his 'magic-stick' frequently, but that won't flatten the blade...

But I think there comes a point where you have to trust your customer. I mean, I confirmed on two occasions that 1/4 was what he wanted, so there's only so much I can do, right? If he comes back to complain, he won't have a leg (or ankle... :P ) to stand on.

[BMcDonald19 0]

i experienced this too. i couldn't believe how long it took! everytime i checked, still not full edge contact. I was also shocked i was sharpening goalie skates this deep... but after he asked for it, and i felt his blades before i sharpened them, they were still fairly deep, so i knew he knew what he wanted. it takes so much off the blades, thank god some of the newer goalie skates have replacement runners.

[DarkStar50 679]

BTW, never cross grind before doing the goal skates that deep. That will add another 10 minutes to get to both edges.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Not only that, the problem is that with carbon steel, with the additional passes it is easy to burn the wheel.

[VakarLajos 5]

There are some goalies who ask for a deep 3/8 cut but when you look at their previous sharpen it'll be flat!

...and that was exactly why I was worrying so much.

In my mind, there was no way they were cut at 1/4 the previous time. EDIT: He did say he used his 'magic-stick' frequently, but that won't flatten the blade...

But I think there comes a point where you have to trust your customer. I mean, I confirmed on two occasions that 1/4 was what he wanted, so there's only so much I can do, right? If he comes back to complain, he won't have a leg (or ankle... :P ) to stand on.

Anytime somebody asks for a specific hollow I try and make sure they know what they're asking for. "You know that 1/4 is incredibly deep, right?" Oh, I thought that was really shallow!

Some people are not the best with fractions. If I do a sharpen that deep I usually tell them to write down the setting on their cowling or holder so they are sure for the next time.

[AHF 1]

I'll resurrect this thread, but I'll veer it in a more light-hearted direction...

What are the most bizarre things you've found in/on skates as you were sharpening them?

So far, I've seen:

-A piece of onion on the blade

-A school eraser in the boot

-A skate basically covered in mud

...and today,

-A half-eaten PowerBar stuck on the laces.

[Gummer12 134]

About a quarter inch of sludge on the insoles from skating barefoot

a dead dried out frog in a boot

and just the typical hella rusty blades, and rivets and other separation issues with boots.

[AHF 1]

a dead dried out frog in a boot.

Dammmmmmn.

That's messed up man. I imagine this one will be hard to top...

[Griff 2]

Brown mold on the outside of the boots.

[theWB 2]

a dead dried out frog in a boot.

Dammmmmmn.

That's messed up man. I imagine this one will be hard to top...

I have that at least equaled if not beaten. Guy comes in to the store. Its pond season and he tells me its time for his once a year sharpen. I start sharpening and after a few passes, I lift up the jig to see how the steel looks. While doing this, the boot is tipped over and a dead mouse falls out along with a pile of acorns. Luckily our shapener is by the back door and we just flicked him into the parking lot.

[jrgretzky99 1]

Did everyone forget about how much heat is generated doing this? The time it takes to keep letting the blades cool is aggrevating enough. I have parents on my sons squirt travel team who beg me to sharpen their goalie skates and I refuse.

[interpathway 9]

I have that at least equaled if not beaten. Guy comes in to the store. Its pond season and he tells me its time for his once a year sharpen. I start sharpening and after a few passes, I lift up the jig to see how the steel looks. While doing this, the boot is tipped over and a dead mouse falls out along with a pile of acorns. Luckily our shapener is by the back door and we just flicked him into the parking lot.

Wow that's unbelievable! And quite disturbing. Gotta love pond hockey season.