Sparx Skate Sharpener - The Truth From A Skating Coach

[@gypsyproductions9914]

The Sparx machine offers something that most proshops can't, and that is consistency. You get the same sharpening every single time which is not possible at most proshops. I sharpened and profiled skates for 35 years. Started with an old Fero, then Foley, Blademaster, and then Wissota. While the finish of the Sparx isn't quite as good as I could offer with the a conventional machine, it is still quite good. The machine only puts the hollow in the blade, the true art comes in how the blade is deburred after grinding. There is a youtube video on my channel on how I debur. It was shot long before I bought a Sparx but the technique is the same.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

I’ve had mine four and a half years, it’s brilliant, one pass every 3 hours skating does the job. I found a local hockey shop gradually destroyed the profile on my blades, they became flat. This was the best LHS too. A manual sharpener cannot maintain even pressure throughout the pass, even though they tell you they can. Another LHS uses a large ProSharp machine with a proper grinding wheel, that is probably the best local option but the location is next to a rubbish rink, small with awful ice. At £10 or more per sharpen, the Sparx soon pays for itself.

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Great point! There is only one local shop I trust with my steel but hard for me to get there.

[@issacasimov]

I own sparx , ProSharp AS1001 and blackstone commercial sharpener. How long the edge holds depends on the material of the blade. The automatic machine gives even pressure, no manual can make it perfect but sometimes you want to change profile and automatic cant. Even with sparx you should de-burr/oil the side and sometime manually polish it with very fine sandpaper.

[@schneider4414]

Did you feel you needed to purchase the extended warranty?

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

@@schneider4414 No. A friend had one which took several puck shots to the glass, accidentally of course. It survived.

[@PatJones82]

I've had mine for about 4 months and love mine. Good stuff.

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Awesome..and how do feel about the edge it puts on vs. the pro shop?

[@PatJones82]

@@DuPrawPowerskating That's a good question and I wish I could answer that. I bought it because my "pro" shop is not pro at all and every time I got a sharpen, it was different depending on who did it. Sometimes it was great, sometimes terrible, and I can't tell you how many times I drove 30 minutes there to find them closed. So in my scenario, I'm thrilled to have a "consistent" edge whenever I want.

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

@@PatJones82 that is good call Pat! I remember when I had my go to person at the shop and sometimes it was done by somebody esle where I'd be uneven or even a dull edge in spots.... that's the worst skating like that and knowing you have a bad edge on one blade.

[@PatJones82]

@@DuPrawPowerskating Yep! That feeling when you step on the ice and know immediately they messed up your edges. Haha. No more of that issue and others already mentioned is worth the money I think.

[@TerrysTwigReviews]

Exactly what I needed, thanks for uploading. I was looking to buy one of these soon :P

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Hey Terry! Very glad it helped man! You have a channel all about twigs? How long have you been at it on KZbin?

[@SMarT-fe1ox]

I’m not sure I agree that a pro shop sharpen would hold an edge “longer”. That would have to do with you’re de-burring, grind wheel depth, and number of passes. You’re steel material and environment are what kill you’re edge. It would benefit us all if you could find out what’s done differently or checked and redone at the pro shop compared to running 2 pass on the sparx and calling it done…

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Good points and when I have controlled the variables that are all good points that you mention including the number of passes it's still easy for me to tell as I'm on my skates 3-4 hours a day. When you really look at the material Sparx use with the grinding wheels as well, it's a composite plastic wheel covered with a thin layer of stone compared to a real full stone wheel. Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of the Sparx, but I'd always choose my pro shop guy if I have the time.

[@philsetala3804]

All of the hockey shops in Minnesota have moved to the commercial grade Sparx machines for what it’s worth.

[@liamlad1]

so what I have noticed is that a sharpen at the shop is a 4 or 5 cycle equivalent. When I do it I may do a 4 cycle but typically a 2 pass just to refine.

[@thedaveko]

Hi, have you ever had your skates sharpened by a Cag One machine? I've been trying to do research on these machines, but seem hard to find on the internet. Looks like that machine is using a grinding wheel more similar to a Blademaster or Blackstone. In fact they use the same dressing spinners as the Blackstone machines, they are interchangeable. Would love your thoughts.

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

I have not had a Cag One machine sharpen..... I used to grind my own edges at the shop, but if you look at those it's an entire solid stone not just a plastic hollow wheel laced with a stone coating...might be why I preferred a real shop sharpen.

[@cr370]

Thinking about doing this as a side business. How many skates per day to you think this equipment can handle before it has any problems. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Great idea and definitely call Sparx about the difference between their commercial system vs. the home version. Thanks for watching! Their commercial version is made to hold up to the wear and tear better.

[@marioprona]

I have gone to multiple shops trying to get my skates sharpened and every time it’s a different sharpen. My brother in law got one of these and it’s like I’ve never had my skates sharpened before. It crushes any skate sharpen ive ever had and I’m 38 and have played hockey for a long time

[@GO-AVS]

I thought it was just me in thinking the edge did not last as long as one from the shop. Thx

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment, yes that's been my thoughts so far.

[@darylhaan2560]

Yep. Noticed the same thing. The edge set by to manual/pro shop grinder is more durable but this is offset by the convenience of just being able to freshen up the edge with the sparx. Like others, we got sick of the unpredictable sharpening from the pro shop. Sometimes an A+ sharpening but often a B or C sharpening. The sparx will give you an A- sharpening every time. At home. On your schedule. No drive time. No drop off/pick up. Etc.

[@cglasford1]

@@darylhaan2560 That is 100% my experience! if I'm paying $8-12 a sharpening it better be a GD grade A sharpening every time. I got tired of that and the fact that it's 10-15mins to the shop, 10-20mins in the shop and then 10-15mins home every time I want to get my skates or my sons skates sharpened. Now I just do 1-2 passes every 3 hours on the ice and our skates are always dialed in. So if there really is a difference in the quality of the sharpening, I can't tell but the Sparx is way more convenient. Plus all the rinks and Pure Hockey all use a sparx now anyways so it's becoming harder to even find a legit pro shop to sharpen them at.

[@marpua]

Which version Sparx is this? 1 or 2?

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

This is a Gen 2

[@obga18]

How do you know how many passes you need?

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

I like 3 passes because I can feel a good edge, but some people prefer 4

[@yellowsnowman9157]

What ring/hollow are you using on the sparx?

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

1/2 for ice and 7/16 for the pro grade synthetic...thanks for watching 👀

[@cglasford1]

@@DuPrawPowerskating That is very interesting. Almost all of the skating coaches I've talked with, watched or listened to these days are pushing everyone to shallower hollows like 5/8s, 3/4, 7/8s and even 1" Also from what I've read almost all Collegiate and NHL players are now on 3/4 or less. Per this recommendation I have recently transitioned my skates and my both of my sons to 3/4 fire and seems to be great.

[@kore996]

What sharpening edge would you recommend for a 4 year old just learning to skate? Someone told me 1/2” in and I heard you say that’s the most popular. I was a goalie what seems to be a lifetime ago so this is a bit alien to me 😂

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

You can't go wrong with a standard 1/2 cut until you player turns 12 and 13 yrs...when they can start telling you more specifically how they feel and what they 👍 like

[@keithh8]

I thought the pro shop (pro hockey life for example) is using this to sharpen customer's skates as well, why the edge lasts longer there?

[@DuPrawPowerskating]

Thanks for watching Keith! Oh if a pro shop is also only using a Sparx then ...no the edge wouldn't hold any longer.... apples to apples... I was only talking about pro shops that still use a full commercial sharpener.

[@keithh8]

@@DuPrawPowerskating Ahh I see, thanks! :D