[hockeystar113]

can anyone suggest a good place for skate sharpening in the western wisconsin (hudson) area?

[baalbrec]

I'm not aware of any place in Hudson that sharpens skates. The only place I've tried on this side of the river is Foster's Sports on Main Street in River Falls. But they botched my skates up so bad I would never go back in there. I had to take them someplace else the next day because they were unskatable. I know there is/was a shop off Woodbury Drive in Woodbury, by the Chipotle, and there is a Play it Again Sports in Woodbury also, but I've never used either of them. I usually drop mine off at Strauss's in Maplewood when I go to work. -Brian

[slparry]

There are a few options: Treadmill Sports in Somerset does a good job if you get the right person sharpening. They seem to do a lot of sharpening. You can go to Cunninghams which is near Sam's Club and the Sportsman's Warehouse in Woodbury just of 94. Cunninghams also opened a location near the rec center in Stillwater. It is next to the new Edge Hockey training ctr across Curve Crest from Cub Foods. There is also a place Top Shelf Athletics in Woodbury. It is in a strip mall across from the new Gold's Gym. I live in Stillwater and usually make the drive to Strauss off 36 an White Bear Ave. They do a good job.

[hockeystar113]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!! I will probably end up giving Strauss's a try, considering both of you recommend going there!

[baalbrec]

If you go to Strauss's on a weekend or Friday afternoon this time of year be prepared to leave your skates and go back to get them later (they'll give you a little tag). They get very busy.

[bgarn]

I've changed this thread to a sticky so it will always show up on top, and also moved it to the equipment category.

Post best skate sharpening locations here!

I personally have NEVER had a bad sharpen from Westwood in Bloomington. They know their stuff!

[JAguitarist]

Westwood in Apple Valley is also really good. My brother plays in bantams recently got his done at the Rosemount Community Center and said it was terrible...He always goes to Westwood in AV (other then that time)

Any Westwood -- Recommended

[mheutmaker]

I may be one of the few people that seems to like Hockey Giant in Bloomington, but they always have done a good job for me. And if you bought your skates there it's free.

[drbad]

We have used Boyer Blades for the past decade - they are in the NW burbs at 124 County Road 81, Osseo, MN 55369 (763) 425-9579. Sharpening blades is their only business. What is really nice is Al, the owner, truly understands the intimate nuances of a goalie's skates. His son is a goalie and I have 2 goalies in my family. We just don't go anywhere else.
Bart

[jthirteen]

I'll add another shameless plug for Westwood Sports. They sell sharpening packages as well, which I find very convenient.
I also have had good luck with Hockey Central in Blaine. If your ever playing at Schwann’s this is a good option.

[blitzenagain]

AVOID BILL ST MAINE AT ALL COSTS!

They mess up your skates!

[TimBoyMN]

How often do you all sharpen your skates?

[JBergquist_]

Every 2 or 3 hours of ice, I like mine real nice and sharp, which some goalies like and some don't.

[pziemer]

I've had pretty good luck at the Play it Again in Roseville. I get mine sharpened about after every 3rd game(3-4 hours of icetime).

[sting27]

Dave's Sports in Fridley. Their new location by Schwans in Blaine does a good job as well, and offers drive-through service!

Unless I get some big nicks or bumps on my blades, I use a sweet stick every 3-4 hours and only take them in every 10-15 hours of skating.

[Howie J]

I also had good luck with Hockey Giant. The last time I went there they really laid into them and ground the heck out of them, but I had a really wicked edge on them, which I like. I'll just have to buy new Tuuk's in a couple years.

Howie J

[morsonj]

Burnsville Play It Again is awesome, if you get them done by Tyler. That cat is awesome, and the only guy that I will ever have sharpen my skates outside of an emergency situation. I do know that Strauss does do an excellent job. A long as you can find someone who knows what they are doing, and has experience on their particular grinder and will listen to what you want. The other important thing is a shop that will allow their person to re-dress the wheel frequently. If it isn't dress correctly, it will build up a lot of heat in the blade and cause premature breakdown of the edge (I am a machinist so I know how this happens). The other thing to watch for if you have stainless blades, is to let the person sharpening them know this. They aren't as common, and if they grind into them like they would with a steel blade, they can destroy the blade with the heat buildup. If you can get stainless blades, go for it, as they will hold their edge for a lot longer.

Just my 2 cents, ;)

[coolpeoplearewildfans]

northstar skate sharpening in maple grove does a good job but they do nothing but sharpen skates. no gear, no sticks, just a few colors of tape. its one small room covered in hockey memorabilia and a skate sharpener behind the counter.

[MatthewKato_]

I love Westwood in Bloomington. I actually have mine done by appointment ($4) by Fred. If you call and ask for his open times/days you can easily book one. And when you walk in, hand them to Fred – don't let them just grab them and stack them in the regular sharpening line.

It sounds extreme in order to just get skates sharpened (about once a month, 1/2" radius), but I've had bad sharpening and heard lots of horror stories, and I know that when Fred does them they always feel the same afterward. Always.

He actually takes appointments so he's not going blind doing skates 8 hours a day, over and over.

[Big_Sev_]

blitzenagain said:

AVOID BILL ST MAINE AT ALL COSTS!

They mess up your skates!

Can you elaborate? They're the closest sharpening place to me and I have not had problems the 2 times I've gone there. Is there a better place in South Minneapolis that you would recommend?

-Marc