The answer is not a simple yes or no. There is a contouring process when I profile. However, what makes the Maximum edge profiling so different than what many others call "contouring" or "changing the rocker" is that rather than just using a machine "template", I am able to hand tick the skate blade and even create "custom" combination profiles based on the skater's size,position and skating style.
The Maximum Edge system of profiling does take a longer time due to the fact that we are creating a custom profile just for the particular skater. Howerver, after 120 profiles in the last 12 months, I would say that the skater's are noticing the difference!
Do you have a new pair of skates for the new season? Now is the time to get them profiled.
Call me and I can explain further.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Maximum Edge in Comparison to the Other Guys!
I love receiving comments and testimonials from my clients. I truly get satisfaction in knowing that an athlete is having a better time on the ice due to my sharpening.
The latest email I received brought to light one of the main areas that I have spoken about many times. All too often, sharpeners will "round" off blades which is NOT the proper way. Most skate shapeners put too much pressure at the begininng of the pass as well as at the end resulting in the blade becoming shaped as a banana. It is a misconception by some skaters that this is the proper process. But the reality is that this is simply deforming the proper contour of the blade and not helping the skater. For maximum benefit, a profile is needed.
One of the factors I stress is that what I do to one blade, I do the other. I count the passes and both blades will be treated equally. This enables the skater to maintain the proper contour of the blade. All too often, I see sharpeners taking one skate and giving it 10-20 passes while the other skate gets 4-6. Sometimes skate must be profiled in order for me to recuperate the proper contour due to past improper sharpening. When I am the sole sharpener of the blade from the very start you can be assured that you will feel the difference.
I personally had the experience recently where I changed my own blades on skates that I had been the only sharpener for the last 6 years. When I took the blades out, I placed one over the other and was pleased to see that they were identical. This is the result we want to see in all skates.
This is not an impossible task and it will surely be the result with consistent Maximum Edge Sharpenings.
Thank you for your comments and kudos and please keep them coming. I appreciate it and hope to continue servicing your skaters.
The latest email I received brought to light one of the main areas that I have spoken about many times. All too often, sharpeners will "round" off blades which is NOT the proper way. Most skate shapeners put too much pressure at the begininng of the pass as well as at the end resulting in the blade becoming shaped as a banana. It is a misconception by some skaters that this is the proper process. But the reality is that this is simply deforming the proper contour of the blade and not helping the skater. For maximum benefit, a profile is needed.
One of the factors I stress is that what I do to one blade, I do the other. I count the passes and both blades will be treated equally. This enables the skater to maintain the proper contour of the blade. All too often, I see sharpeners taking one skate and giving it 10-20 passes while the other skate gets 4-6. Sometimes skate must be profiled in order for me to recuperate the proper contour due to past improper sharpening. When I am the sole sharpener of the blade from the very start you can be assured that you will feel the difference.
I personally had the experience recently where I changed my own blades on skates that I had been the only sharpener for the last 6 years. When I took the blades out, I placed one over the other and was pleased to see that they were identical. This is the result we want to see in all skates.
This is not an impossible task and it will surely be the result with consistent Maximum Edge Sharpenings.
Thank you for your comments and kudos and please keep them coming. I appreciate it and hope to continue servicing your skaters.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
How Often Should I Sharpen My Skates?
This questioon is asked of me almost daily. A standard answer would not be accurate. You see, as a Maximum Edge sharpener, I am committed to being exact, thourough and consistent so if I were to give you an answer such as "every 4 hours" it would be inaccurate and against the exact standard that Maximum Edge stands for.
Instead, I would love to teach you how to inspect your blades and be able to determine when it is time.
Many of you haveseen me run the blade across my neck after I am done sharpening your skates. Even though it may appear that I need shaving, I am simply demonstrating to you the "clean" blade surface that I have placed on your blade. I do not believe too many sharpeners are willing to do that. I am confident that my sharpening is free of burrs or rolled edges which is what slows you down and what would "cut" my skin if I did not guarantee that clean edge.
When the boot leaves my shop it is impeccably clean yet very sharp. So, I am not asking that you take the skate across your neck but rather you can run your finger lightly across the edge. It should run across smoothly. Also, visually inspect the blade. The dirt will actually create horizontal grooves across the blade. Sometimes you will see me inspecting your blade iwth a magnifying glass and then I can tell you who's ice you have been on! I just love doing that since it always shocks people. It really is not a guess or even my pshycic abilities but rather "science". I am aware by the wear and tear on the skate and being familiar of the condition of each of the Georgia rinks ice.
Feel free to stop by any time and I can run through a few ways to checking on your skates. Obviously, you will also be able to feel how the skate maneuvers on the ice.
For some skaters, they need their skates sharpened twice a week and for others, once a month. Many variables play into this fact including:
- Aggressiveness on the ice
- Condition of the ice
- Skater's size
- Maintenance and care of the skates.
I will be writing a much more throughj post in the next few days regarding the differences between being "sharp" and what a hollow is.
Do you want $100 in free skate sharpening? Click HERE.
Instead, I would love to teach you how to inspect your blades and be able to determine when it is time.
Many of you haveseen me run the blade across my neck after I am done sharpening your skates. Even though it may appear that I need shaving, I am simply demonstrating to you the "clean" blade surface that I have placed on your blade. I do not believe too many sharpeners are willing to do that. I am confident that my sharpening is free of burrs or rolled edges which is what slows you down and what would "cut" my skin if I did not guarantee that clean edge.
When the boot leaves my shop it is impeccably clean yet very sharp. So, I am not asking that you take the skate across your neck but rather you can run your finger lightly across the edge. It should run across smoothly. Also, visually inspect the blade. The dirt will actually create horizontal grooves across the blade. Sometimes you will see me inspecting your blade iwth a magnifying glass and then I can tell you who's ice you have been on! I just love doing that since it always shocks people. It really is not a guess or even my pshycic abilities but rather "science". I am aware by the wear and tear on the skate and being familiar of the condition of each of the Georgia rinks ice.
Feel free to stop by any time and I can run through a few ways to checking on your skates. Obviously, you will also be able to feel how the skate maneuvers on the ice.
For some skaters, they need their skates sharpened twice a week and for others, once a month. Many variables play into this fact including:
- Aggressiveness on the ice
- Condition of the ice
- Skater's size
- Maintenance and care of the skates.
I will be writing a much more throughj post in the next few days regarding the differences between being "sharp" and what a hollow is.
Do you want $100 in free skate sharpening? Click HERE.
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