Ice skate sharpening

I'm looking to buy a pair of ice hockey skates and join some of you guys when you meet up on the ice - it's always good fun.

I'll obviously have to get them sharpened at some point but don't know of anywhere this is possible. I assume they must offer the service at the larger rinks or at the time of purchace, but perhaps there are recommendations from others on TT? Even if you could give me an idea of cost, I'd be appreciative!

Bidl probably offers such services, but you could also buy your own kit and keep your blades honed.

u could try to ask sk8tr girl...she might just know

Nope, sorry... I have no idea. I get mine done at the Olympic Center but we have only a figure skate sharpening grind. I can't get any but my own skates done there. Sorry! But if I hear of anything I'll let you know.

Don't get them done at SportSchuster...they suck!! The guy at the rink in Ostpark is pretty good and he does them while you wait. That's the only good skate sharpening I have ever gotten here in Germany.

Yeah, do that when or right after you make the purchase as they're not sharpened when you buy them... just an FYI so you don't land on your face 800 times

Hi,
my favorite place is in Weßling (S5), the small shoe shop "Nördinger" next to the Edeka. It's owned by an elderly gentlemen and his very nice wife. He also does all kinds of leather repair for next to nothing.
(Weßling used to have a fist ligue icehockey team in the 50ies and judging his age he could well have done their skates as well ).

Happy skating,
kati

Cheers for the advice, I'll try the guy at Ostpark when the time comes as it's easier for me to travel to - especially if he does it while you wait.

I learnt the importance of regularly getting my skates sharpened the hard way, dare say the barriers at my local rink at home have some fond memories of me.

Adding to this, does anyone know or recommend a decent skate shop or specialist? A couple of sport shops in the centre of Munich seem to offer a similar range, but I'd like more of an option as I'm aware that I'm more likely to hurt myself if I get something that doesn't fit properly or, for personal preference, doesn't have enough padding. I'm not looking to invest a fortune since I'm only going to be skating socially, but know that cheaper skates have their limitations...

The Ice Rink at Prinzregentplatz does skate sharpening overnight for about 10 Euros or so per pair.

They also have a shop with a good supply of skates at all price levels.

Maybe worth having a lookie there

Crawlie

There is a place in Kirchheim which sells only Hockey stuff, and they do sharpen the skates while waiting.

I know it's a bit far from town, but they have better selection than most of the normal sports shops - and they do speak English.

Here the information about them:

Sportbedarf Ewald Norbert GmbH
Adresse: Klausnerring 26
85551 Kirchheim
Telefon: 089/ 990225-0
Beschreibung: Fabrikverkauf. Vorheriger Anruf ist empfehlenswert wegen knapper Öffnungszeit und geringem Lagerbestand. Kein richtiger Laden, man muss klingeln und meistens warten, bis jemand aus der Produktion Zeit hat. Häufig gibt es sehr günstig Einzelanfertigungen von Profis, die dem Besitzer dann nicht zugesagt haben.

So - not a normal type of shop, but if you want Pro -stuff, I can recommend this.

Hmmm, why does SportSchuster suck? And to clarify -- does the guy at the Prinzregenten ice rink sharpen skates while you wait or is it indeed overnight? There's been some conflicting reports...PM with any tips you might have -- thanks!

I've just taken my new skates to the rink at Prinzregentenstraße and for a cost of 7,20 Euros should have them back on Friday. Can't wait to get on the ice and try them out!

I wound up going to Sport Schuster near Marienplatz and paid €5 for overnight service -- skates look OK, so I guess I would recommend them to others.

@Lisl: Sportschuster sucks because I tried to get my skates sharpened there twice. Both times they came back extremely dull. The second time the skates were more dull AFTER the sharpening than when I brought them in. I refused to pay for the 'sharpenings' both times and I will never go back there ever again for skate sharpenings. This is just my experience.

Sportschuster also sucks because almost everything they have is overpriced by 20%. The place is just a huge ripoff. Instead of shopping at Sportschuster go to Sport Bittl in Allach or Laim, get the 15% discount card and you'll be set. Again, this is just my opinion...

Also, I was at the Ostpark ice rink a few days ago (The ice was perfect!!!) and the price for skate sharpening there was aboot 6€. Can't remember exactly.

Just got my skates back from the rink on Prinzregentenstraße and they have done a decent enough job. Although they are a little bit more expensive than the other places mentioned - I'd rather pay more for someone to do a proper job - I guess to answer my own question I'd recommend these guys...

If it took that long, seriously, you should think of buying a kit and doing it yourself. It really is not much harder than sharpening your knives. The only difference is you want a straight edge and not an edge to cut a tomato with.

I'm gonna make a guess here and say it IS much harder than sharpening a knife.

You will need a grinding disk with an accurate profile for the concave nature of the blade. You will also need to rig the skate into a jig that will move in a curved path in relation to the grinding disk.. Certainly not something you could do by hand...

Saw the kit in Canada and thats how they do it there.. Doesnt look insignificantly cheap.

Speaking from some experience, I have never seen a hand sharpening kit that can put the proper concave profile on the blade as noted above. It is possible to de-burr a really bunged-up edge by running a flat stone across the flat side of the blade. However even with a proper machine and reasonable experience, it is amazing how few ships can do a proper job. Getting a flat bottom with two 90 degree corners (likely best possible with hand sharpening) will only produce a skate that will slip and not grip the ice - and this is exactly what you normally get on new inexpensive skates. I'm glad of the above tips and will try the Ostpark shop. BTW a properly sharpened skate will peel a very thin shaving off the flat surface of a finger nail gently pulled across it, likewise with a plastic pen (my prefered test instrument). However, unless you are taking up competitive sport it is not necessary to have them quite so sharp to have an enjoyable afternoon skate.

Just to revitalize this thread.

Any more places to add?

Does Karstadt sport do sharpenings?

And, why do places need more than a few minutes to sharpen skates?? Overnight or in a couple of days just seems totally nuts to me. Back home (MN) everywhere does it and on the spot and always a great job and for only a couple bucks. There has to be somewhere here that does it on the spot and at a reasonable rate.

Yes Karstadt sport DOES the sharpening. Just ask the personnel.. i hardly remember but I paid around 7-8 euros last year, under 10 euros at any rate. And basically ice skating halls where you can buy skating materials, offer sharpening often as well.

best,
Kaori

So, I tried Karstadt Sport at stachus today and they only charge 6 euro and do it on the spot! Was a good sharpening as well.

They sharpen at the Ice Hockey stadium in Garmisch but it might only be on Match days, will check next week for you if you are interested