The Things LHS Do

[dalebert 8]

I understand that, I meant if the stick was at the shop, he knew he liked it but had to order it online because the cost comes out cheaper in his situation, maybe he could still support that shop via phone sale if they did it.

[ArrogantOwl 7]

Sorry for the 1 month Necro,but my LHS needs to update its website... It said they're open to 10pm... we get there and they're closed with a sign that says they close at 4.

[Hradsky 1]

Sorry for the 1 month Necro,but my LHS needs to update its website... It said they're open to 10pm... we get there and they're closed with a sign that says they close at 4.

At least it has a website

[watchgreat 4]

At least it has a website

I would rather have one with no website then one with false information.

[interpathway 9]

I would rather have one with no website then one with false information.

QFT. I've had shops with incorrect contact info, so frustrating.

[rachael7 1]

Grrrr... LHS just sent out an email blast informing us they were adding "FBV" sharpening. I thought "Yay, finally!" So I shot 'em an email back to say thanks and to make sure it was the real deal... turns out it is the Blademaster knockoff and not actually FBV. Bastards. I have no idea how Blackstone is going to deal with the proliferation of FBV as a generic term - definitely some intellectual property law in play and a subject for another thread - but man, that false labeling sure is frustrating from a consumer point of view.

[Gwyren 0]

Grrrr... LHS just sent out an email blast informing us they were adding "FBV" sharpening. I thought "Yay, finally!" So I shot 'em an email back to say thanks and to make sure it was the real deal... turns out it is the Blademaster knockoff and not actually FBV. Bastards. I have no idea how Blackstone is going to deal with the proliferation of FBV as a generic term - definitely some intellectual property law in play and a subject for another thread - but man, that false labeling sure is frustrating from a consumer point of view.

rachael, it is that way a few places around here as well.

[jbatafuco 6]

Grrrr... LHS just sent out an email blast informing us they were adding "FBV" sharpening. I thought "Yay, finally!" So I shot 'em an email back to say thanks and to make sure it was the real deal... turns out it is the Blademaster knockoff and not actually FBV. Bastards. I have no idea how Blackstone is going to deal with the proliferation of FBV as a generic term - definitely some intellectual property law in play and a subject for another thread - but man, that false labeling sure is frustrating from a consumer point of view.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the two?

[wrangler 157]

Short answer -- different cut.

Long answer -- Blackstone web site, Blademaster web site, and this 58-page thread here on the topic:

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42307-blackstone-flat-bottom-v-thread/

[interpathway 9]

Same at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel. They do fine work though.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Grrrr... LHS just sent out an email blast informing us they were adding "FBV" sharpening. I thought "Yay, finally!" So I shot 'em an email back to say thanks and to make sure it was the real deal... turns out it is the Blademaster knockoff and not actually FBV. Bastards. I have no idea how Blackstone is going to deal with the proliferation of FBV as a generic term - definitely some intellectual property law in play and a subject for another thread - but man, that false labeling sure is frustrating from a consumer point of view.

It would be hard to stop the general public from referring to ANY flat bottom technique as a FBV...I mean everyone says Kleenex...regardless of what brand of tissue is in the box right?

But they should definitely be able to prevent shops from advertising as "FBV" if they are using the competitors equipment.

[wrangler 157]

It would be hard to stop the general public from referring to ANY flat bottom technique as a FBV...I mean everyone says Kleenex...regardless of what brand of tissue is in the box right?

But they should definitely be able to prevent shops from advertising as "FBV" if they are using the competitors equipment.

I think Blademaster would appreciate the advertising of their BFD system, too, and be interested in correcting this.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I think Blademaster would appreciate the advertising of their BFD system, too, and be interested in correcting this.

Not necessarily.

[Stoop 1]

Grrrr... LHS just sent out an email blast informing us they were adding "FBV" sharpening. I thought "Yay, finally!" So I shot 'em an email back to say thanks and to make sure it was the real deal... turns out it is the Blademaster knockoff and not actually FBV. Bastards. I have no idea how Blackstone is going to deal with the proliferation of FBV as a generic term - definitely some intellectual property law in play and a subject for another thread - but man, that false labeling sure is frustrating from a consumer point of view.

Some super fun trademark trivia for you: "descriptive" terms are easier to challenge as trademarks, and Flat Bottom V sure seems descriptive at first glance. The initials FBV perhaps less so.

[wrangler 157]

Maybe so, but that's not even what Blademaster calls it. They probably could have done better than choosing "BFD Flat Bottom", though.

[shotty 7]

the general public referring to anything with that tech as FBV is a positive for Blackstone, as it associates their trademark with the process/product. pioneers have that impact... much like every OPS was referred to bybthe general public as a Synergy back in tha day, regardless of brand. OR for those back country skiers: Dynafit Bindings*

if Blademaster had a superior product, it would be in their best interest to educate their customers and the general public on the benefits of their tech, and differentiate themselves from Blackstone. As RadioGaGa said, Kleenex is the trade name behind the product and I bet you the "B" grades dont care if their customers refer to their brand as Kleenex, so long as they keep moving units.

*(for those unaware of Dynafit, the are a ski touring company that invented and patented an ultra lightweight binding where the pivot point was in the toe and connected to the boot using two pins. some years later the patent expired opening the market to other companies to use that design, and to this day, that system is still referred to as "dynafit compatible"

[dsjunior1388 81]

the general public referring to anything with that tech as FBV is a positive for Blackstone, as it associates their trademark with the process/product. pioneers have that impact... much like every OPS was referred to bybthe general public as a Synergy back in tha day, regardless of brand. OR for those back country skiers: Dynafit Bindings*

if Blademaster had a superior product, it would be in their best interest to educate their customers and the general public on the benefits of their tech, and differentiate themselves from Blackstone. As RadioGaGa said, Kleenex is the trade name behind the product and I bet you the "B" grades dont care if their customers refer to their brand as Kleenex, so long as they keep moving units.

*(for those unaware of Dynafit, the are a ski touring company that invented and patented an ultra lightweight binding where the pivot point was in the toe and connected to the boot using two pins. some years later the patent expired opening the market to other companies to use that design, and to this day, that system is still referred to as "dynafit compatible"

That sword cuts both ways. The Zamboni people love when an Olympia machine is mentioned as a Zamboni, but when the Olympias were overheating during the Olympics, the Zamboni people had to make it perfectly clear it's not their product. Its usually easier just to make the distinction as a brand, not allow another company to work under your umbrella term and take market share from your brand.

[wrangler 157]

That sword cuts both ways. The Zamboni people love when an Olympia machine is mentioned as a Zamboni, but when the Olympias were overheating during the Olympics, the Zamboni people had to make it perfectly clear it's not their product. Its usually easier just to make the distinction as a brand, not allow another company to work under your umbrella term and take market share from your brand.

Not to mention that if you don't aggressively protect trademarks, you lose them. Looks like Blackstone has registered "FBV" and "Flat Bottom V".

[Chadd 916]

Some super fun trademark trivia for you: "descriptive" terms are easier to challenge as trademarks, and Flat Bottom V sure seems descriptive at first glance. The initials FBV perhaps less so.

The fact that BM marketed heavily against the FBV, touting the benefits of their shape and detriments of the FBV, would certainly work against them. I'm surprised that C&D letters haven't gone out yet, I was under the impression that all of the patent paperwork was done.

[interpathway 9]

Hell, let all the shops get their customers onto BMs version of FBV before sending out the Cease and Desist. Six months later the LHSs are desperate to get Blackstone's wheels.

[Apes44 7]

Well usually its the high school kids that do it. Not the adults. They'll see their friends or whatever and just throw out free stuff like they run the show

Depends, my store had a deal with our team that we were allowed a few rolls of tape or laces, and half our team was an employee of the store, so if it was busy just walking around the counter made it quicker for everyone. If the sharpen line was backed up, Id jump back and do my own skates if I needed them done and if I had the time would help out to get the line down. Gotta know the whole situation

[AIREAYE 248]

Depends, my store had a deal with our team that we were allowed a few rolls of tape or laces, and half our team was an employee of the store, so if it was busy just walking around the counter made it quicker for everyone. If the sharpen line was backed up, Id jump back and do my own skates if I needed them done and if I had the time would help out to get the line down. Gotta know the whole situation

That's not right

[dsjunior1388 81]

Hell, let all the shops get their customers onto BMs version of FBV before sending out the Cease and Desist. Six months later the LHSs are desperate to get Blackstone's wheels.

Just realized this is what happened to me. Went to Peranis (when will I learn?) and asked if they did Flat Bottom V. They said yes, I asked for a 100/50. They gave me a chart and told me they have "new measurements." X5, X6, X7 or something along those lines. Told him to give me the equivalent of a half inch. I felt like I was skating on a flat bade, couldnt turn, cut, or dig into the ice for anything. Must have been the Blademaster answer to FBV and a shop worker who didn't understand/care about the measuring system.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It was BFD. Sorry, but don't feel bad for ya...we've known FBV runs on two sets of numbers for how many years now? And how many times have we told people that they use the FBV name for credibility?

[coolpeoplearewildfans 0]

My LHS(that I nolonger go to) owner openly mocks rec players. When he found out I was a college student playing adult rec instead of high school or juniors or something he basically told me the wood sticks are over there, dont touch anything expensive. Needless to say I bought my Dolomite's elsewhere.