Frequently Asked Questions

	Do new skates need sharpening?
	Yep, they sure do. You can try skating on unsharpened new skates, but it's definitely the hard way. Skate manufacturers reduce costs by eliminating skate sharpening from their task list. There is also the liability issue. Imagine the lawsuit possibilities not to mention the bad publicity resulting from cuts caused by people handling sharpened skates in the stores.
	How can I tell when my skates need sharpening?
	If you experience a loss of control when skating, or if your skates slip on the ice a lot, they're dull. A quick way to check sharpness is to look at the bottom of the blade. If it looks ugly, then it's dull. Some folks favor trying to shave a finger nail with the edge of the blade, but all that really tells you is that you can shave your finger nail. Sharpness is a subjective thing, and each skater has his own needs and definition. See also: Maintaining Your Edge
	What's the best skate?
	We won't and can't endorse any skate brand. Every brand has its good ones and its bad ones, and frankly that includes all price ranges. When you're buying skates, give 'em a real hard look, and try not to be influenced by peer pressure or the slick advertising. If it feels good, and it looks right, then it's OK. See also: Cheap skates are for Cheapskates.
	How much sharpening is left in these hockey skates?
	When the blade height at the center of the blade reaches 10mm or 3/8 inch, then the blade is dead mostly because it can't be clamped in a skate sharpening vise without compromising the vise. Those determined to squeeze the last gasp from their skates, may be limited to Coin-Op skate sharpeners, because coin-ops have a thin vise jaw. When the blade tips are ground away, your blade life is further shortened, and your blades may be wasted before they reach the "line of death".
	How much sharpening is left in these figure skates?
	Presumably you mean the "good stuff". Your blades are chrome plated, and some of the chrome is ground away parallel to the edge of the blade. This is called the chrome relief. Chrome is a soft material, and once your edges are "into" the chrome, the chrome dulls out fast, making your skates prematurely dull. Also the chrome relief is used to estimate where the heat treated tempering or "sharpening" extends into the blade. In fact, the heat treating does not follow a straight line, but you can use the chrome relief as a guide. So as a rule of thumb, when your chrome relief is gone, so is your blade life.
	How can I get rust off my blades?
	Rust is like herpes -- it's forever, and the best cure is prevention. Rust on the blade bottom can be ground off during sharpening. Rust on blade sides often cannot be removed without corrupting the side of the blade. See also: Maintaining Your Edge
	Will you grind these picks off?
	Why sure, but if you're taking lessons, we expect you to clear it with your coach first. Pick removal is a one-way operation, and we can't put 'em back. Removing picks changes the blade geometry and trashes any resale value. Our tip trimming is not free, and we will cheerfully charge you for the work we do.
	What's the difference between Rockering and Contouring?
	Simplistically speaking, both Rockering and Contouring involve blade shaping. Rockering is free-hand, and Contouring is not. For the full story, see: Custom Radius Sharpening
	I've only skated on these blades a few times, and they're dull. Howcum?
	The sharpener puts the edge on the blades, it's up to the skater to make it last. The ice doesn't make the blades dull, it's everything else they're exposed to. It's true that some alloys that are used for skate blades resist abrasion better than others, but even the tough ones need help. Using skate guards is a good idea, and avoiding abrasive surfaces like sidewalks and arena floors will help too. See also: Maintaining your edge. If you are already pretty careful, and are rigorously using skate guards and/or other methods of protecting your edges, and your blades are still dulling out prematurely, then perhaps the problem lies somewhere else. See also: Custom Radius Sharpening
	Should I dry these skates before you sharpen them?
	I'd really appreciate it if you would, and please don't stop at the runners (steel part). The plastic carrier holds onto the snow and slop that's going to be the real problem, so if you really want to help out, please clean off and dry off the plastic carriers.

	What dressing room are we in?
	Do you sell coffee?
	How much will you take off?
	How long will it be?
	Are we playing here?
	Is this the lost and found?
	Can we borrow ( place item name here)?
	Do you sharpen skates?
	Will you loan me a quarter?
	Will you watch our equipment for us?
	Do you have the time?
	What day is this?
	Can I go ahead of everyone else?
	Are these skates dull?
	Will you page someone for me?
	Where's the arena attendant?