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.

Only Maximum Edge Skate Sharpening Member in Georgia at The Marietta Ice Center

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE                                      

Diamond Sharp II Is The Only Maximum Edge Member in the State Of Georgia 

Marietta, GA – July 1^st, 2011 – Steven Betolatti, resident of Lilburn,GA and Realtor at Keller Williams Realty Consultants, is also the proud owner and operator for the Diamond Sharp II skate sharpening center at the Marietta Ice Center.  His dedication and reason for this endeavor began with the fact that he himself experienced the difference of a Maximum Edge sharpening versus any other out there.  He saw the need to let the North Georgia hockey players also benefit from this proven and patented skate sharpening method.

"Skate sharpening can make it or break it for a hockey player, especially the beginner players," stated Betolatti. " An experienced player can compensate and adjust his playing even with a bad sharpening but a beginner player may hang up the skates from a bad experience on the ice."  Betolatti previously owned an ice rink in Daytona,FL and knowing how important the revenue from his learn to skate program would be, he decided that investing on becoming a Maximum Edge Certified Sharpener was a must.   He contacted his friend, Bob Diamond, and they decided to join forces thus becoming Diamond Sharp II.  He and Bob had become USA Hockey level 5 hockey coaches together so they both shared interests in allowing the players to have the best sharpenings available to them.

So, in 2005, Steven became Diamond Sharp II in Florida and has now moved his operation to the Marietta Ice Center.  "The Marietta Ice Center has a fabulous hockey program and the only junior program in the Georgia area,"says Betolatti, "so it was a privilege to be able to be associated with it's program and rink owners, David and Ruth Falkenstein.  It is great to see the dedication,commitment and love they have for the sport and the team.  I enjoy being able to be a small part of this program by sharpening the Jr. Knights skates.  I usually make sure I am there for their games as well to offer last minute assistance and repairs."

The Maximum Edge system is second to none.  It is a patented 7 step process created by Bob Allen, that has trained many NHL and OHL team trainers and continues to have his shop in Windsor, Canada where the training takes place.  It offers a consistent result.  Whether Steve or anyone else trained in Maximum Edge sharpens your skates, the results will be the same - perfect every time!  The profile that Maximum Edge offers is excellent as well and offers a 10 -20% increase in speed.   It also helps alleviate back aches and limits injuries.  This is done taking the weight,height, position and other variables into consideration.

The training for Maximum Edge included 48 hours of "theory" before a skate was even touched.  Ask your local skate sharpener who trained them and for how long.  I would doubt any other training can compare.

Check it out.  From today through September 10th, Steven is offering anyone that posts and subscribes to this post an extra stamp on their "Loyalty" card and a chance to win a $100 value 10 sharpening card.  Post on this site, subscribe, visit http://www.iceneeds.com/ and post a comment there, leave a review on www.facebook.com/iceneeds and follow on twitter @diamondsharp2 and increase your chances to win this $100 card! 

Sharpening are $10 and profiles are $40.  You can also purchase a skate sharpening card for $80 (gives you 10 sharpenings).  In addition, he offers monthly specials and offers.  It is not a full pro shop but he does do all skate repairs including repairing rivets,replacing steels and tuuks and has the essentials (tape,mouthguards,etc.). Diamond Sharp II also offers pick up and delivery (call for details).  He offers team discounts (must have 10 skates at once) or fundraising opportunities as well as sharpening at your place which we will discuss in future blogs (have a hockey party and have Steven sharpen your skates while you barbecue).  You can also mail Steven your skates and he can overnight them back to them as many of his customers already do or you can stop by his Lilburn location as well.

This post focused on ice hockey skates but Steven is also well trained for figure skating and has even sharpened many professional figure skaters blades and they all wish he could travel with them!  You can reach Steve at 678-666-5101.

For more information about Diamond Sharp II, visit http://www.iceneeds.com/.

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Check out the Marietta Ice Center : http://www.themicice.com/