I went with one of my recreational students (and her mom, a friend) to help the skater get new skates. Then we were going for lunch. The daughter wanted a pair just like she had but bigger. She skates well in them but they're too small. How hard is it to buy that?

When you run into bad staff at a skate store, then it's hard. The saleswoman we had was arrogant and actually wouldn't bring out the skates we wanted.

I do know that as a coach, that as of this moment I have immediately stopped referring skaters there. This isn't my preferred skate shop, but I don't dissuade parents from going there, but now I will. If I send someone in for Coronation Ace, I don't want them coming home with Pattern 99, which is what almost happened.

That's really infuriating! It's a good thing you went with them.

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I had a terrible skate shop experience recently as well. I was helping a mother choose skates for her two kids, as the person at the skate shop knows absolutely nothing about figure skating. The entire time she was trying to figure out what size to have him bring back from the warehouse (he didn't have them in stock, but needed to drive a few minutes to pick them up), he was sighing and rolling his eyes. When he finally did come back with the skates, he brought back a girl's 9 instead of a ladies' 9 for one of the pairs. Instead of apologizing, he continued to be rude and blamed the parent (literally said, "It's your fault"). He was completely out of line the entire time. I don't know if the parent picked up on the attitude as well as I did because she didn't speak English too well and was preoccupied with finding skates, but if I were a parent, I wouldn't even want to go back to the rink, much less the pro shop after the way he behaved.

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You know, sometimes a bad experience will turn the customers away, but when the shop holds a monopoly, it's tough not to patronise it - unless you want to take a risk and shop online.

I have SEVERAL experiences. Take note that in this region (southeast asia), skating isn't a big thing. Still, when you're in a business, I do expect them to know more about skating equipment!

1. For my first pair, I didn't know any better and got fitted with size 255(25.5cm) RF4s. Was told it's a month old, little usage from previous owner. Experience then told me it was more than a month old but definitely rather new. The worst is that I got fitted the wrong size, and the blades are apparently not going from heel-toe. While having it a little shorter is fine, coach said the toepick was too behind. My feet measure about 23.5 cm. It was a comfort and not very snug when I tried on a friend's 235 risports. Geez. I had to stop for a month and wait for new skates - from the net this time.

2. Friend and I were in a neighbouring country and she was looking to sharpen her Paramounts. The skate shop person has NO IDEA what are paramount blades and started asking where she got that kind of blades. He was saying Paramounts are inferior because it's not one piece, and the colours are gimmicks, colour will come off soon, poor metal quality, got cheated of money when he heard how expensive they are, that it will fall out, advised us not to buy paramounts again. The whole times i was thinking, who does he think he is? If you don't know anything, don't say a word! Of course he didn't know how to sharpen them. And we walked away, thinking, yeah right.

3. Local skate shop didn't mount my skates well and brought it to the rink to complete the job. There was no waterproofing (probably why my screws are getting loose now), and one screw went in slanted. What was I thinking when I went into a hockey-oriented shop, even though they sell tights and beginner skates?

4. Said skate shop didn't sharpen my skates even though I left it there for 3 days. I remembered them saying the sharpening guy will be back from a Europe business trip soon. So the next week, I asked a friend to bring it down for sharpening. A week after the day I originally asked, the sharpening guy is still not back. Geez. If they're not sure, don't make promises!

I don't know where to sharpen my skates now. I left it with a foreign coach from China last time, and it came back with a deeper ROH and I am still scraping ice when I spin. I recently saw he sharpens them with a handheld sharpener. Granted, it's sharp, but way too sharp and deep, and he charges too much compared to the rink that closed down. The proshop said they know how to sharpen, but... let them touch my babies? I'm apprehensive.

I'm lucky to have found a good fitter although it's a day trip, twice, once to order and once to fit, mount and take home. It's run by an current skater so there is lots of questions about balance point on the blade, heavy or light jumper and foot problems of course.

I have learned one great thing though is that any skate fitter who tells you that a boot that hurts will soften up once you break them in is full of baloney. The only thing breaking is your feet.

Ugh, I was incorrectly measured for custom boots at my pro shop in Florida and it was a huge pain - had to have new boots made, was worried the shop was going to charge me for both but they didn't. I'm pretty skittish since then.

A good experience though that I didn't learn of until much later - when I did receive my new boots, I took them to a public session at the Ellenton rink - they still didn't feel right, so I went to the pro shop and they offered to heat mold them for me right there. So I'm going on and on about adult skating thinking I was talking to a hockey kid. Yeah that was actually Mark Ladwig :-P

I didn't realize this until much much later...

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Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

Even though they're twins, sometimes I can get away with "handing down" skates from one sister to another. We usually get an extra few months out of at least one pair of skates this way. Sooner or later, I have to buy the second pair though.

When the hand-me-down recipient needed new skates a few months ago, I called my pro shop in NYC, but they wouldn't be able to get the boots/set for a few weeks.

So I called a few local pro shops to see if anyone here had the model and size in stock. I lucked out with one place about 45 mins away. The guy on the phone confirmed that he had the boot I wanted with a stock blade, and he could move her current blade.

We got to the shop about an hour before closing. He measured her, then went in the back and said "last pair in that size - give me about 20 minutes and I'll change the blades." So, we puttered around for a while, then came back and waited in the shop.

It seemed to be taking a long time, when he came over and apologized. Turns out that the BOX had the right size, but the BOOT was in the wrong box! The skates were for her current size (so the blade looked okay - same as her current boots) -- he had already mounted the blades on the wrong skates!

Poor guy - it was late, he was tired, and he made a mistake. They found the right boots in the other skates' box and he took care of the mounting, fitting, heat molding and sharpening quickly. He even sharpened my skates for me, gratis!

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I was incorrectly measured TWICE for customs, and I did have to pay for both pairs - and now my new pair when I get back on the ice. Unfortunately, we didn't know the first ones were so wrong until I seriously injured myself and have had two surgeries in two years. Fun.

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"Without a struggle, there can be no progress" ~ Frederick Douglass

We're lucky to have Skater's Edge here in Cleveland (they have 2 shops and actually come to my rink a few times a month to sharpen and look at skates, too). They really know their stuff. I've heard of people coming to them from all over the Midwest.

I have had good luck online. I bought my last pair of boots from skatebuys.com...but I've been wearing the same size/brand of boots for years so I was able to go the online route and save myself a lot of money (boots were cheaper that my local place and I didn't have to pay taxes on top of that and shipping was free). The first pair they had sent to me (directly from Riedell) had defective soles, but I sent them back and they got a new pair out to me right away. I've also ordered blades online, but again, they're the same blades I've been wearing for years (Ultima synchro).

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2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

That's who I've used for almost 10+ years and I love them! I make over a two-hour drive (from the Pittsburgh area) to get my skates sharpened and they've fitted me for my last two pairs of custom Harlicks.

Carl is absolutely wonderful! I could not be happier with the time he takes to correctly fit and sharpen my skates; no complaints here. I've recommended the shop to several of my students who now also make the lengthy treck to Cleveland. The drive is so worth it!

I've been going to the same person for about 15 years. It's usually a 1-2 hour drive, but well worth it! I have had some problems with my skates, but it's not the fault of the fitter. I think if you're in this sport long enough, you'll have a lemon pair of boots.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Singapore skater, sounds like that pro filer thing Query has been advertising around here might be really good for you!

Same thing here. Sort of. I didn't realise how wrong a risport fit was for me until I tried on grafs. Also, the blade mounting was all wrong (they weren't on right) so I couldn't learn to spin at all.

No wonder really - they were bought at a skating shop that's infamous for sharpenings that take toepicks off! But at the time I didn't know better at the time.

Pro-filer...Well I've searched it online and at eBay. I'm a bit squirmish about doing my own blades. Is the end result the same as a sharpening from the wheel?

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I'm thinking what a better sport it would be if the proshops are all equipped! Skaters learning loop will not get RF2 Super (Mao wears them), skaters learning stroking will not be sporting pink Paramount blades... People can actually progress at their potential!

Yeah, Carl and Chris always take good care of everyone. I'll usually call ahead, let them know I'm coming on my lunch hour (since it's close to work) and they'll take care of me then. I've had the past 2 sharpenings done by Rich out of the Lakewood shop (which is closer to home), I actually really like how he's been doing them, too. I've only been going to them for a few years but no complaints! They did overboot a friend of mine--there is no reason a petite (110 pound at the most) 24 yr old adult just-turned-bronze skater not even working on an axel yet needs to be in Reidell 2010s, and she's had problems due to the stiffness. I'm kind of surprized at that. That's really the only issue I've heard.

I used to have everything done at Fritsches, a hockey chain in the area that has since gone out of business. My uncle worked for them for YEARS. They didn't really carry a lot of figure skates (mostly just Riedells, Risports and some low-end stuff), but he could get me what I wanted at cost and he really knew what he was doing when it came to fitting, sharpening, etc. A lot of local people would go to him, too. There were days where after synchro practice, I'd load up the trunk with most fo the team's skates and take them over to him. (My only gripe was the time he talked me into Risports, which I HATED.) Plus I didn't have to pay for sharpenings. He works in another field now that the shop has gone out of business, but from the time I started skating until 3 yrs ago, he was the ONLY person allowed to touch my skates.

Is anyone in Rochester NY? I lived there for a year and had my skates sharpened by some guy who would work out of what was more of a ballet apparel store in Fairport. He was good, too. He was the first person, other than my uncle, who I let sharpen my skates.

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2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

I don't know, I haven't tried it. It does seem to me like you're left with very little choice though.

There are a lot of folks at my rink in Syracuse who take their skates out to Rochester...they load up laundry baskets full and everyone takes a turn driving out there. I usually end up going to a shop that is open in Camillus, but have used Dale before.

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Skating Dreams

"All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES." --Nike

Upon recommendation, I went to Rainbo Sports in Chicago for my skates a few years ago (wow, I think it's almost 3 years, now!!). I made an appointment with John, I believe, since we were driving 5 hours to get there. Even though the place was super busy, we had great service. I got exactly what I needed. I definitely wouldn't hestitate to make that drive again for a new pair of skates. However, my coach has had good experience with a fitter much closer to home, so I'll probably give him a try next time.

As for sharpenings, I take my skates to an older gentleman who sharpens skates at his home. He's the sweetest person, does great sharpenings, and tells fun stories about show skating in its heyday.

Advertising... Hey that's not fair. I'm not in business, though I've considered it, as an unemployed scientific ex-programmer. I wish I had all the skills and resources to open a pro shop, but don't. Besides, there are too many here, and I don't want to compete with people who showed me stuff. Besides the things I like to do economize. So what if I could increase their skate and blade lifetime, or adapt used skates. That isn't a profitable way to run a business.

I don't even think Pro Filer is all that great - The holders are pretty clumsy, and get in the way. Their directions are less than ideal, and I think water is a better lubricating agent, and less messy, than the oil they provide. And I pretty much have to take my Matrix blades out of their mounts to sharpen them, which gradually strips the heads. And they need more hollow sizes. But I don't know of any better equipment at this time.

I ordered direct from http://www.pro-filer.com but shipping and handling were expensive, and not all browsers can see their site. Rainbosports.com and a few others resell them. Or try

"pro-filer" sharpening figure

at a search engine like http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=%22...TF-8&fr=opera2

The end result is not the same. Hand sharpening produces a much sharper edge - meaning the metal at the tip is thinner. Some skaters, like me, love that, some skaters hate super-sharp edges. They might be able to sharpen a little less, and then dull it by skating carefully for a few minutes - I don't know, as I can't figure out how to skate on dull blades, and don't know why some people prefer it.

The thinner edge doesn't last quite as long, but this is more than compensated by the fact hand sharpening wastes much less metal. It only takes a few minutes, once you get used to it.

The blade has to start out reasonably sharp. It would take a very long time, and would wear out your expensive stone too much, to start with a flat blade, or with a blade with the wrong hollow.

You need to experiment. My first try, I sharpened my outside edge higher than my inside (I think?), and had to redo it. With patience, you will get it. But a small child, or an elderly person with shaky fingers, might cut themselves.

Someone should sell an inexpensive light duty machine sharpener, designed to semi-automate the process for figure blades, with a few customizable options, that everyone could buy. I've seen one (too expensive, made for rinks) for hockey blades. (It was a vending machine. Was warned not to let it touch a figure blade.)

Or someone should sell a low priced hand sharpener of similar design to pro-filer, but with less clumsy holders.

But I don't get it. How can anyplace not have a decent pro shop? If anyplace has enough skaters to support a rink, how come one of them, doesn't open one? Maybe run it out of their home, by appointment. Many coaches know enough. Some skating moms could use the extra money to support their kids. If the rink doesn't have something, maybe they would let one put up a little ad.

Dale! That's his name! He was good. I'd drive from Syracuse to Rochester to have him do mine when I was a grad student at SU, too, if they couldn't wait until a trip home to Cleveland (boyfriend at the time was a grad student at RIT so it wasn't like it was out of my way, I was usually in Rochester every other weekend).

__________________
2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

Interesting that you say that, the place I've been going to (I alternate between two shops) said I should get the 2010s as well, even though I wanted the 1310s. You know the problems I had with Jacksons last year and I'll never be overbooted again. I really think the 2010s would be too stiff for me, they feel like solid rocks when I pick them up. When I do get new skates after ANs, I'll really have to be firm that I want the 1310s.

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"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"

How are the 1500s on you? The 2010s don't seem to be a whole lot stiffer. At least it's more reasonable for you, since you're working on doubles. But we have kids/teens at my rink who are doing doubles and, in some cases, a triple or two, but are in 1310s because of their size/weight.

I'll probably go with 2010s next pair, but I weigh A LOT more than you and Kristin, and I've been in Royals and then 1500s and I don't think something less stiff would be the right move for me when I'll be starting doubles soon. Not sure when new boot time will be though, I'm hoping to squeak out another season in the current pair.

__________________
2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

When you mean thinner edge, do you mean sharper blades or a smaller radius of hollow (which produces a deeper "grove")? Profiler sounds like tough stuff to me. I think that could be what the coach at the rink did to my skates. Still so sharp that I scrap a lot of ice during sit spins (and sometimes conveniently sit on it).

I hope some company comes up with a cheaper and better sharpening alternative. But they probably think that skating industry is too small and not worth the investment.

Regarding the proshops in Singapore... Well, some of you know chowskates here right? She has an online store and some friends got their boot and/or blades there. The only other physical store is hockey-oriented and stocks beginner figure skates. It is in the same mall as the only rink in Singapore. The only rink is not Olympic size and is run by the same management as the mall. (I reserve my comments on the management.) It takes less than an hour to drive from one end of Singapore to another, on a good day. One coach though, can fit skaters with SP-Teri, but there's just no stock on hand to let you try it out. The rink banned lessons on weekend, and certainly doesn't survive on us figure skaters. We need them more than they need us. /rant

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A little off topic: what do you all think about the cushy LS series? Are they too cushy to the extent that it seems never tight enough?

It's hard to compare the 1500s since they were broken in and a little broken down when I got them. They've been fine for me but I have no idea how stiff they originally were when I got them.

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"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"

I love those old guys. During skate camp I had a guy who not only adjusted my blades, but also sharpened the Big Guys parabolics for $10. I can't even get just my ordinary blades sharpened for that and the Big Guy pays a chunk for his parabolics (plus he has to listen to his technician grumble about the extra work parabolics make)

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