Home Sharpeners

[Craner]

I'm in the market for a home sharpener. My guy is getting ready to retire and he's been doing them for the past 30 years so with myself and 2 sons playing I figure it may be worth the investment and time to do it myself. Seems like there are alot of good options out there now for this at less than $2000. Blackstone X2, Wissota, and blademaster SPB850 all look like good machines. Also for a little more blademaster has the BRC2005B with the cross grind and I'm not sure if that is the only difference between that and the SPB850 or not. I was leaning toward the SPB 850 but I just seen some Cag One sharpeners on ebay and kijiji lately and they look fool proof and consistent every time which is enticing especially for a new guy but in looking at some reviews / videos I'm wondering if that machine rounds off the toe and heel giving the blade a banana type profile....some pics of skates you see have the toe almost completely grind down and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with that machine to say if that is the norm or if the wheel is set too high or tension on the wheel too high/low or whatever.

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[blackout44]

I sharpen my own at home and have a Wissota. Been doing it for about 1.5 years.

Personally, I love it, and it was not a challenge at all. I can get a better sharpen than any shop around here. However, you do need to understand the principles in sharpening, such as the basic principle of a hollow and the geometry of the holder and how changing it can affect the edges. I fabricate and machine things all the time, so skate sharpening was no big deal.

I really recommend the Wissota. It's a solid machine. The only thing I don't do is check the edges the way they recommend in their instructions. Their method for checking for level is inaccurate and dangerous.... but I digress. The machine itself is perfectly fine.

I have never needed to cross grind. I determined that if I ever do need to cross grind, I'll take it to a shop. The blade would have to be pretty bad for me to do that though.

I don't have any experience with the fancy automatic machines. Personally, I wouldn't get them. I love robotics and automation, don't get me wrong. But those automatic sharpeners have to many possible failure points in my opinion. You would then have to consider how to fix the machine in case something does break.

 

[shoeshine boy]

+1 for Wissota. I've had mine for close to 15 years and it's still going strong. once I got my holder dialed in it was a breeze.
I agree that Wissota's method for checking edges isn't great. I came up with my own method and it's probably not absolutely perfect but pretty darn close.

 

[Craner]

Thanks for your input. Wissota gets alot of good reviews and I'm also considering the blademaster SPB850 as will. Leaning toward the blademaster because the Canadian $$ is weak and the exchange rate to USD on the Wissota would make it more expensive than the blademaster; I think both are capable machines.

 

[FLYLine27*]

There is a really good home skating system that was advertised on here a year ago..i'll see if can find it.

edit - found it http://www.sparxhockey.com/index still not out yet.. but looks like it has potential.

 

[shoeshine boy]

the Sparx sharpener is really close to being released. I am a Kickstarter investor and hoping to get mine soon.

 

[CornKicker]

i just bought a Wissota but im curious about the edge checking could either of you guys above expand on that?

ps i havent used the machine yet as i just ordered it

 

[deadman1515]

the Sparx sharpener is really close to being released. I am a Kickstarter investor and hoping to get mine soon.

Can it do FBV?

 

[shoeshine boy]

Can it do FBV?

yes it can! all you need is the FIRE grinding ring.
http://www.sparxhockey.com

 

[dss97]

the Sparx sharpener is really close to being released. I am a Kickstarter investor and hoping to get mine soon.

I just watched a YouTube video of it being used and I'm intrigued. Interesting product for sure.

 

[MattGTI]

I just watched a YouTube video of it being used and I'm intrigued. Interesting product for sure.

They had a booth set up at the Pond Hockey Classic.

After asking a few questions, I was offered a free sharpening on the spot.

To be honest, the sharpening came out fine. Looks like a pretty solid product.

 

[A4T1L6]

How to Hockey just posted a video with a very good review of the sparx sharpener.

 

[blackout44]

i just bought a Wissota but im curious about the edge checking could either of you guys above expand on that?

ps i havent used the machine yet as i just ordered it

I realize this response is a tad late, but I'd like to answer so anyone else can see it as well.

In regards to their edge checking procedure....

They supply a piece of steel angle with a magnet for you to put on the blade while it is still in the holder. Its the same concept as any edge checker in regards to a length of metal and a magnet going across the blade to check for level, however, this method wants you to use the holder as the reference, as opposed to other checkers that use a second reference piece that attaches to the blade. The skate never leaves the holder.

The first problem utilizing their method is accuracy. Since you are using the holder as a reference, it is harder to see problems in un-level edges. Their reasoning for this method is that it keeps the skate in the holder from start to finish, because if you remove it to use other edge checkers, it might not go into the holder the same way when you want to make an adjustment, producing a slightly different cut. It can cause you to really chase your tail.

My biggest problem with their method though is safety. It's easy to forget that the piece of metal is still magnetically attached to the blade after checking. I forgot one time that I didn't remove it, and started a pass (I decided to try their method for once and compare). Once the wheel hit the level, it flung it 30 feet across the garage. The wheel stayed in tact, but I did have to dress it alot to remove the large chipped section. I'm very lucky that the wheel didn't shatter, as that would have been very bad. I have not used their method since that incident. Part of me knows I should have been more aware, but I would rather choose a method that doesn't open the possibility of an incident like that.

 

[Bladetek]

I'm in the market for a home sharpener. My guy is getting ready to retire and he's been doing them for the past 30 years so with myself and 2 sons playing I figure it may be worth the investment and time to do it myself. Seems like there are alot of good options out there now for this at less than $2000. Blackstone X2, Wissota, and blademaster SPB850 all look like good machines. Also for a little more blademaster has the BRC2005B with the cross grind and I'm not sure if that is the only difference between that and the SPB850 or not. I was leaning toward the SPB 850 but I just seen some Cag One sharpeners on ebay and kijiji lately and they look fool proof and consistent every time which is enticing especially for a new guy but in looking at some reviews / videos I'm wondering if that machine rounds off the toe and heel giving the blade a banana type profile....some pics of skates you see have the toe almost completely grind down and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with that machine to say if that is the norm or if the wheel is set too high or tension on the wheel too high/low or whatever.

Most often if the toes and heels are ground down, look to the person not the machine

 

[Bladetek]

i just bought a Wissota but im curious about the edge checking could either of you guys above expand on that?

ps i havent used the machine yet as i just ordered it

Simply purchase and edge checker, they cost about $150 or so from Blademaster or less at Sparx. Worth the extra money to be sure of edge eveness

 

[BM14]

There is a really good home skating system that was advertised on here a year ago..i'll see if can find it.

edit - found it http://www.sparxhockey.com/index still not out yet.. but looks like it has potential.

A buddy of mine has it. Phenomenal, consistent cuts. I haven't been to my regular arena since my friend bought this machine. Awesome, awesome product.

 

[CornKicker]

A buddy of mine has it. Phenomenal, consistent cuts. I haven't been to my regular arena since my friend bought this machine. Awesome, awesome product.

i sold the Wissota and bought one of these. its awesome. I do my skates, kids skates, goalie skates etc. Awesome product.

 

[BM14]

i sold the Wissota and bought one of these. its awesome. I do my skates, kids skates, goalie skates etc. Awesome product.

He has all the different stones now. Highly recommend this product.

 

[Marcus Lampinen]

Prosharp https://prosharp.us.com/ is the one I would go for.

 

[shoeshine boy]

for almost half the cost of a ProSharp the Sparx is a MUCH better product.

 

[Marcus Lampinen]

What do you mean by better? They might be cheaper to buy, but you have to change spare parts more often. But hey its only for home usage. Professional sprax can´t even compare to Prosharps...

 

[ChuckLefley]

Hmmm, joined yesterday, first post was touting a product, second post was defending that product. I wonder who “Marcus” works for?!?!

 

[Marcus Lampinen]

Guess this forum is not for everyone. I found a topic that was interesting and wanted to share my thought. Not a conflict. Sparx is good enough for home users, I could easely buy one myself I like the concept!

 

[DevsFan84]

For what it's worth, I've used both- I'm assuming we are referring to the Prosharp Home in comparison to the Sparx. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Prosharps are significantly more expensive to buy, and they need to be calibrated frequently. Consumables are much cheaper. Sparx are cheaper to buy and easier to use but consumables are way more expensive which becomes a factor if you are doing a lot of skates. Also, the build quality of the Prosharp is light years ahead of Sparx- I have no doubt it will last longer. Both do a nice job sharpening.

Which one would I buy? Depends how many skates I was doing. I’d go Sparx for a family, and Prosharp (Skatepal Pro 3) for a team.

 

[IDuck]

I will say this...If you just simply want the ability to have your skates sharpened whenever you want, then get a sparx 100%...but, If you want to do the same thing and learn the art/hobby of HOW to sharpen skates then get a blademaster...I know what I do, but only you can answer that.