To self bake or not to self-bake my Easton Stealth S7s

[thetimmer 0]

I've found this forum earlier this week and so far I have mixed thoughts as to whether I should self-bake my recently purchased S7s. The box says 200° F for 5 minutes but don't know if it's preheat to 200° F, then turn off, then bake for 5 minutes like some posts allude to. a few other things I am unsure about is to whether to put my foot into the boot (post-bake, of course) with or without socks on and for how long.

The local rink offers heating for $12 and I'm a cheap mo-fo and if I can do it myself, I would. I do have a conventional (electric) oven. But, if I do take it to the rink, how long do I need to factor in for sitting around time while the boot molds in place.

Lastly, new skates, are they already sharpened and/or do I need to do a first sharpening before use?

thks

[W.Heinle 0]

So you just spend some serious coin on some new skates but are to cheap to spend another 12 bucks on getting them fitted properly...sorry but I really cannot follow that logic. I guess you'll never get them sharpened either

[eric42434224 1]

^^^^^^

That isnt helpful at all.

S7's are not serious coin by any stretch of the imagination, and maybe they guy needs to save every penny when he can.....just like tons of people in these economic times.

Timmer...I cant answer your question, but I know there are many knowledgeable people here that can and will.

They will likely tell you exactly how you can do it yourself....but they will also tell you it will void your warranty and that you will be on the hook for any screw-ups.

Good luck!

[number21 3]

Or you don't HAVE to bake them. It just helps break in time/molding to your foot.

I would pay the $12 and do it. You have to lace them up and sit for like 15minutes I think. Then you shouldn't skate for 24, or I think you can put them in a freezer to speed it up (you'll have to use the search button to find that info).

I am guessing you ordered these online, you need a sharpening. A first time sharpening at a good shop (not sports authority or anything) will be more expensive than an average sharpening.

[eric42434224 1]

Good Point. Baking isnt always necessary. I think it is even less necessary with composite skates like my s15's. I baked my first pair and didnt notice a difference....but they fell apart. Perhaps the bake played a part, or maybe not. I did not bake my pro stock s15's and didnt notice any difference either.

Not sure of the s-7's though as they are made different with different materials. My suggestion is that if you dont have any issues with the fit, then why bake? Just break them in naturally.

[USHLTender 0]

Just make sure if you bake them yourself, you use a conventional oven. I had a kid bake his own vapor xxxx's that he bought from us in a regular oven and melted them. Even though we bake skates for free, regardless of where they were purchased.

[twister18 1]

Should be a CONVECTION oven, not conventional. Need the airflow around and in the skate

[thetimmer 0]

holy crud. the local rink shops are proposing $40-50 for baking, and $15-25 for initial sharpening. The cheapest bid, from the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.....I'm not so sure about. The dude gave me a $40 overall bid but he sounded stoned. Since I don't have a convection oven, I might have to bite the bullet. These local shops sure got you in a sling when it comes to skates - either pay their inflated prices for skates or pay through the nose to bake and sharpen if you don't buy from them.

[krwwc6 0]

Well, when you loose a ridiculous amount of business to online sellers, but still provide adequate customer service to customers, along with the ability to try on a skate before you buy it. . . they sort of need to charge extra to make back the money they are losing from online retailers. If you'd bought the skates from them in the first place, you wouldn't be paying money for a baking or first time sharpening, and you probably would have broke even.

[Spreedizzle 1]

You can try the Sports Forum in Brandon.....but chances are it will be about the same price.

And like said above.....no business is in business to loose money. With too many people using LHS as "fitting rooms" and purchasing online, the shops have to make money somehow to keep their doors open. Typically, when you buy a new pair of skates at a LHS the baking and first sharpening are free, and you of course get professional fitment. In other words.....the $30 you saved online is negated due to all of the free services that you get when you purchase at a LHS.

[TBLfan 25]

holy crud. the local rink shops are proposing $40-50 for baking, and $15-25 for initial sharpening. The cheapest bid, from the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.....I'm not so sure about. The dude gave me a $40 overall bid but he sounded stoned. Since I don't have a convection oven, I might have to bite the bullet. These local shops sure got you in a sling when it comes to skates - either pay their inflated prices for skates or pay through the nose to bake and sharpen if you don't buy from them.

Avoid that crook at all costs.

[thetimmer 0]

Well, I did my own baking, in a conventional oven (gasp!), and they fit pretty good. I'll have to go to the Brandon ice house forum and get their initial sharpening for $25. Yes, I would've gotten baked and sharpened for free if I bought from them but I think the skates I got were a good $90 to $130 less online (hockeymonkey) than what they were selling for there.

Of note, these skates replaced a 1st or 2nd generation Easton Z Air's that I had for something like 8-10 years now. It's amazing how much bulkier the older skates were, particularly at the ankle and toe. The skate holder on one of the boots had developed a 4" crack near the pins. I wonder if I can get replacement holders. They are original Razor Bladz and not Razor Bladz II, however they both have the same 6 in the back 8 in the front pin sets. Do you think the II's can replace the broken original? This time, I'll get the shop to do the replacement. I love my original Z Air's and would prefer to stick with him until the end of time.

[Zamboni 6]

Are you guys serious about an outrageous price for an initial sharpening?! How is that justified, I can see a LHS charging for fitting, or charging for baking....but sharpening has nothing to do with the skate purchase. The guy who sharpens our skates will get a kick out of that....$25 for the first sharpening!

[TBLfan 25]

It's one more reason to buy the skates there. If you buy the skates there you get all of that for free.

[ahbroody 1]

Sorry but all this talk about knowledgable sales persons is a tub of crap where I live.

The local rink is generaly staffed by 17-20 year olds who are to busy looking cool and talking crap, yup often about the guy that just left right infront of the next guy. They know little about personal fit issues and just make blanket recommendations.

The other shops are staffed by hackie sack jugglers and pot heads or a dude who is often to busy reading a book to want to do much help.

There are 2 shops in opposite directions from me that have decent service but you pay for that service most times.

I just dont have any sympathy for the local shops that provide piss service. If you provide piss service expect people to use you for what they can.

Gasp I have baked multiple pairs of my own skates and nothing bad happened. Crazy.

[Zamboni 6]

Guess I'm lucky to live where competent skate sharpeners are competing for business. Best sharpener around, Pro Cut in Oshawa gives the first sharpening FREE. Smart business move, you go for the free sharpening and return because the quality was good. Watching 10 year olds talk about current season with OHL Generals players waiting in line for sharpening is how that part of the game should be.

[interpathway 9]

Best sharpener around, Pro Cut in Oshawa gives the first sharpening FREE.

Think I've heard of that place, but last time I checked you can't be lucky enough to go there until you die.

[chicago_hockey 0]

Guess I'm lucky to live where competent skate sharpeners are competing for business. Best sharpener around, Pro Cut in Oshawa gives the first sharpening FREE. Smart business move, you go for the free sharpening and return because the quality was good. Watching 10 year olds talk about current season with OHL Generals players waiting in line for sharpening is how that part of the game should be.

When you buy new skates from your lhs the initial sharping/baking is always free.

[Zamboni 6]

Guess I'm lucky to live where competent skate sharpeners are competing for business. Best sharpener around, Pro Cut in Oshawa gives the first sharpening FREE. Smart business move, you go for the free sharpening and return because the quality was good. Watching 10 year olds talk about current season with OHL Generals players waiting in line for sharpening is how that part of the game should be.

When you buy new skates from your lhs the initial sharping/baking is always free.

Understood, guess my posts from a totally diferent market have muddied the waters here. Last few pair I purchased for my son we refused the free sharpening, one from a place with a great rep to stick with our personal favourite sharpener. I just can't get over a place trying to charge more than their regular price for an initial sharpening-can see the skate baking price.

[Rustpot 1]

Guess I'm lucky to live where competent skate sharpeners are competing for business. Best sharpener around, Pro Cut in Oshawa gives the first sharpening FREE. Smart business move, you go for the free sharpening and return because the quality was good. Watching 10 year olds talk about current season with OHL Generals players waiting in line for sharpening is how that part of the game should be.

When you buy new skates from your lhs the initial sharping/baking is always free.

Understood, guess my posts from a totally diferent market have muddied the waters here. Last few pair I purchased for my son we refused the free sharpening, one from a place with a great rep to stick with our personal favourite sharpener. I just can't get over a place trying to charge more than their regular price for an initial sharpening-can see the skate baking price.

The skate comes with no hollow, the initial sharpening takes quite a bit longer to build up the ROH. Not only do more passes need to be made, but the skate needs to be done slower so the heat won't build up in the runner and cause issues. Essentially they're making 4 times the number of passes from a standard sharpening (or however many, I don't know) so they charge 4 times the price as they also lose time to get 4 more pairs through the line (on busy days). My LHS does $4 regular and $15 first time I think.

Take the free first-time and get them redone at your favorite place, no need to be charged for the initial-sharpen service unless you're intent on spending more than neccessary to patron your favorite store.

[adam14 182]

Are you guys serious about an outrageous price for an initial sharpening?! How is that justified, I can see a LHS charging for fitting, or charging for baking....but sharpening has nothing to do with the skate purchase. The guy who sharpens our skates will get a kick out of that....$25 for the first sharpening!

when i broke steel on my RBK's, the owner refused to insert any other steel except the same kind that is in Epro holders (with the holes along the top) and then having him insert them, and sharpen them.. came to 125.- swiss francs.

God I hate this country sometimes.

[Cove 39]

holy crud. the local rink shops are proposing $40-50 for baking, and $15-25 for initial sharpening. The cheapest bid, from the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.....I'm not so sure about. The dude gave me a $40 overall bid but he sounded stoned. Since I don't have a convection oven, I might have to bite the bullet. These local shops sure got you in a sling when it comes to skates - either pay their inflated prices for skates or pay through the nose to bake and sharpen if you don't buy from them.

Try living in Canada.

[thetimmer 0]

holy crud. the local rink shops are proposing $40-50 for baking, and $15-25 for initial sharpening. The cheapest bid, from the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.....I'm not so sure about. The dude gave me a $40 overall bid but he sounded stoned. Since I don't have a convection oven, I might have to bite the bullet. These local shops sure got you in a sling when it comes to skates - either pay their inflated prices for skates or pay through the nose to bake and sharpen if you don't buy from them.

Try living in Canada.

I'd like to try living in Canada. Whistler itself is preferred.