Never get your skates sharpened by a HS kid at the rink

[theWB 2]

I knew I was in trouble when he was looking at his cheat sheet the whole time

Can anyone explain to a newb like me what it is I'm looking at in that picture and why it is awful? I understand that skates are to have two, parallel, level edges... but I don't understand how the flaw is being illustrated here.

The measurement should be level, not tilted to one side.

I thought that's what it was, but I wasn't sure how it was working. I looked at this and now I have a better understanding.

I'm just learning and have been skating seriously since April. I hand my skates over to the HS (JC aybe) kids at the rink and ask for them to be sharpened, they hand them back, I hand them $5. (I even saw them put the coin on them once).

I grabbed a square and a straightedge from my workbench and found that one of my skates isn't square. It's not off nearly as bad as the skate in that picture, but maybe half as much. I'm guessing that still isn't great. Lo and behold, it's the same skate that I am not able to skate straight forward on without great effort when skating on one foot. I'll try to take a picture later to show the setup and the skate.

Based on what I've read here, unless they check it for square when they sharpen them, this sort of problem isn't corrected simply by sharpening the skate. Right? Is cross-grinding first the only way to correct this?

How does one go about finding somewhere to get them sharpened properly? I'm in the Lansing, MI area for what it's worth. I've noticed while skating at MSU that you can drop skates off for sharpening there. I guess I should ask if it's some kid at the rental counter doing it or if it's the equipment manager doing it. I guess what I'm asking is how do you guys approach someone and ask, "do you know what you're doing?" without insulting them when you're not really sure you know what their supposed to be doing in the first place?

No one is going to say "No, I really don't know what I'm doing. You probably shouldn't give me your skates" if you ask them that question. The best way to find a competent sharpener is a combination of word of mouth and trial and error. Ask the guys you play with where they go to get there skates sharpened and if they are satisfied. Pick the guys who are "in tune" with their equipment as they are more likely to know and feel the difference between any half-decent sharpening and a good one. There will also be a certain amount of trial and error when finding a reliable sharpener. One of your buddies might suggest a place he likes and you could bring your skates there and get the wrong guy on the machine. Most shops have at least one person who can put a good set of edges on a skate, and finding that person is the key. When you find him, don't hesitate to find out when he works and call to make sure he's there before you go to the shop. Also, cross-grinding is not necessary to fix uneven edges. Best of luck.

[cptjeff 0]

Yeah, unless they're level they're not going to skate well. And you don't have to crossgrind, you just re sharpen them evenly. Some people do crossgrind, but you don't have to.

As for finding a good sharpener, trial and error or asking for recommendations are really your only options. And I would check their work when they hand them to you- check if the edges are even, and if they're not ask them to redo them until they are.

Oh, and at MSU I'm gonna say it's not the EQM. Way too big a school for that. You're getting somebody at the rental counter.

[dsjunior1388 81]

How does one go about finding somewhere to get them sharpened properly? I'm in the Lansing, MI area for what it's worth. I've noticed while skating at MSU that you can drop skates off for sharpening there. I guess I should ask if it's some kid at the rental counter doing it or if it's the equipment manager doing it. I guess what I'm asking is how do you guys approach someone and ask, "do you know what you're doing?" without insulting them

when you're not really sure you know what their supposed to be doing in the first place?

Learn a little technical info and ask the guy at the counter about suggestions for radius or hollows. If he stares at you blankly and then says "umm...this is the on button," maybe try another person.

[CTK30 0]

Back in the day, the 70's, when my dad used to play the game, told me that they were taught to sharpen their skates and everyone sharpened his. He promised he'll teach me this summer/autumn, when he has the time. I think the old way is better, you should know how to take care of yourself, tape a stick, sharpen a pair of skates, etc

And CARRY your own bag. These kids with wheels on them these days....

Yeah! Fuck those kids, going to grow up with an aliened back and shit mother fuckers.

I hope you don't play contact hockey if you have trouble carrying your bag.

[Guitarmy 0]

...EVEN IF IT'S FREE! I swore off getting my skates sharpened at the rink since none of the skate sharpeners care about their work. Most of the time they are joking around with other pro shop guys or are looking around the room while they are sharpening skates. I thought I'd let them do it since they were give free sharpenings to league members. Big mistake. My skates are hardly sharper than when they went in and one skate is definitely off kilter somehow. They are boasting some new "revolutionary" sharpener and leveling tool but the end result is just as crappy as before.

Anyone know anything about the New Blademaster BRVSV Skate Sharpener?

Oh, and they aren't HS kids either.

Logitech Ice, right? I never let them touch my skates anymore, especially since you can get FBV across the street now.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I've had people question me. To this day, they still do. I usually throw in the fact that I've seen the video that comes with the sharpener and that I think I'm comfortable with doing their skates. I had one guy pluck them off the counter before I told him it was a joke.

[kevintung_2k 0]

Just got the X-01 today, and having never sharpened skates before, it was very difficult. After putting witness marks, the batgage indicated that the top edge was too high on both the heel and the toe, yet when i adjusted the left and right knobs clockwise as the manual told me to, the edges did not become more level after putting additional witness marks. When I attempted a pass, the skate stuttered, which may be because I put too much pressure on it. I'm getting kind of stressed about it, can anyone help me out?

EDIT: Sorry, wrong thread, should be in X-01 thread.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It takes about 6 clicks to move it up a line