Nice vid. I recently went from a 5/8 to a 1/2 fire and really enjoyed it. I just ordered a 5/8 fire after picking up a pair of LS5's on sale. They say the carbon coated steel can have more bite so I'm hoping the 5/8 fire will still give me some good grip like the 1/2 fire does on my standard steel (LS2)
If you remember to, I'd love to hear how that feels! My guess is that it probably still will feel like you have less bite, but the LS5 will hold that edge longer. I've never skated on the LS5's, and hardly got to use the included LS4's before I bent them. But once I start playing again next month I'll probably need to replace the old LS2's I have after a few months
@@SeenByYosh Will do! I just got the ring delivered today so I should have an answer by this weekend. For context, I'm 6'1 and about 215. I would say im middle of the road for my skating technique. Nobody ever taught me how to skate but I also grew up playing in the streets and then played adult rec inline for awhile. We'll see how well/poorly that transfers over to trying all these different hollows :D
Well, after some good use, I think they might be a little too shallow for me. I sometimes feel like I slip out unless I really need an edge. I was going to try to tough it out through the wheel, but I ended up putting back the 1/2 fire to see if that feels better
That half second of video only cost me 15 minutes of tutorial watching and painful frame by frame masking haha. I appreciate very much that you appreciated it!
Haha yeah, I find I usually do more frequent sharpening and fewer passes with FBV to make sure I'm not stepping on the ice to start a game with a dead spot.
Dunno if you’re still reading these or not but just a quick question. I’ve had a Sparx for a few years, I’ve had 1/2 Fire the whole time but have never used it before, I use a regular 1/2 all the time. I’ve been thinking about trying my fire ring for my next skate, just wondering how many passes I should do with the Fire ring on first shot to make sure it’s fully changed over? I sharpen after every skate with my 1/2 consistently and only do 2 passes each time. Thanks
Definitely give it a try! 4 cycles might be enough coming from 1/2" ROH. I usually make a few short sharpie marks at the heel, mid, and toe if I'm a bit worried. Then I check to see if I have full coverage
Thanks for watching and the feedback! Back then, this was probably the Rode VideoMic Go, just off camera. And largely unedited, I'm sure 😅I use a lav on my main channel now which is much better... but a boom that I can keep set up in front of the shot is on my list as that channel grows.
Thank you for the video 🙏 My only question is if you own a Sparx you can use the fire grinder ring to cut for every game so even though it’s sensitive to damage would it last one game?
Yeah it's not so fragile that you wouldn't make it through a game or even multiple sessions... it's just something to note that is physically a bit different. If I was using a consistent ring, I settled into running about two cycles on my skates every other skate so that they were always nice and fresh.
Thank you for responding. Your videos are awesome 👍👍 but I have another question that I’ve been thinking about. If you had a choice between FBV and Fire which one would you pick and why? I ordered my new sparks sharpener on Monday and it was a hard choice between the pro sharpener and the Sparx. I chose the Sparx. Thanks 🙏
@@eddiearriaga3800 I wouldn't say I have a strong preference between the two, the differences are so small I doubt I would be able to tell (whereas there definitely is a difference between ROH and either FBV/Fire). Before I stopped skating for the pandemic I was still really liking the FIRE so I think you'll be happy going that way.
@@SeenByYosh I finally bought the 3/8 fire ring. I sharpened it for myself and my son.... We both play. Unfortunately we both hated it. After being on 1/2 fire for a while now, we found the 3/8 to have too much bite. It made transitions and crossovers difficult after being used to the glide of the 1/2 and bite when needed. The 3/8 was always engaged and it engaged too quickly. It wasn't for us. I do hear great things about the 5/8 fire but were happy with 1/2 for now.
Oh no! Sorry to hear, but thanks for remembering to stop back. And at least you know now. Hopefully you might come across someone local who also wants to give it a shot.
I went from 5/8 to 5/8 Fire and it felt a little sloppy honesty. I did like the glide though. I just bought my own Sparkx machine and bought the 1/2 Fire, I need a little more bite.
Idk I feel like I really want to give this sharpen a try but I enjoy some of the sloppiness of that softer transition sometimes. It sort of assists my indecisive or inaccurate movements as a mostly beginner skater. I cut mine at 5/8 currently, I’m not a small person, so I wouldn’t mind the extra glide to help out. Do you feel like this cut is for a higher level skater or it really doesn’t matter, you just have to get used to it.
Sorry, seeing this late! I would say preference probably matters more than skill here and that you would get used to it, especially with the FBV-like shape that Sparx has. The true FBV that I tried beforehand did feel "weirder" for longer. The unfortunate part about switching is that $60 is expensive for a ring that you might only use a few times... I tried the 5/8" FIRE first and it was too shallow, even though I feel I can manage on a 5/8" ROH.
I skated a 5/8 for years then when I recently got a sparx i tried the 1/2 fire (it came in the starter pack). I love it. I feel like i have the glide of my 5/8 but i can really make that ice crunch with the edges. Id say go for it. I'm not the greatest skater and I liked it better. But then again, with fresh cuts i think the sparx makes any hollow crunch the ice
Do you mean switching between regular ROH hollows? I would usually run 4 passes if I was switching hollows to something immediately above or below, just to make sure I had a nice, clean starting point.
Sparx advertises 10 passes for a new hollow. Of course that is their generic recommendation for all size transitions. So you'd likely need fewer passes for a smaller switch. Experiment using a sharpie on the bottom of the blade and do 2-3 passes at a time until the sharpie mark disappears and you have your new hollow.
Yes, definitely do not do 10 for a hollow switch, I believe this is their recommendation for new steel actually. The last new set I did only required 8 cycles, but that will vary too.
Good question - I've only played in net on ice a handful of times long, long ago. So I couldn't even tell you what ROH I'd like in net personally. In theory, FPV is going to damage more easily but I would give it a try if you're interested (maybe first at a shop before getting a full ring). Would love to hear your thoughts here if you try it!
Thank you so much for this. Great explanation and extremely helpful!
Pure hockey also switch to sparx if you want to try flat bottom v
Good callout, a lot has changes since this vid!
Nice vid. I recently went from a 5/8 to a 1/2 fire and really enjoyed it. I just ordered a 5/8 fire after picking up a pair of LS5's on sale. They say the carbon coated steel can have more bite so I'm hoping the 5/8 fire will still give me some good grip like the 1/2 fire does on my standard steel (LS2)
If you remember to, I'd love to hear how that feels! My guess is that it probably still will feel like you have less bite, but the LS5 will hold that edge longer. I've never skated on the LS5's, and hardly got to use the included LS4's before I bent them. But once I start playing again next month I'll probably need to replace the old LS2's I have after a few months
@@SeenByYosh Will do! I just got the ring delivered today so I should have an answer by this weekend. For context, I'm 6'1 and about 215. I would say im middle of the road for my skating technique. Nobody ever taught me how to skate but I also grew up playing in the streets and then played adult rec inline for awhile. We'll see how well/poorly that transfers over to trying all these different hollows :D
Well, after some good use, I think they might be a little too shallow for me. I sometimes feel like I slip out unless I really need an edge. I was going to try to tough it out through the wheel, but I ended up putting back the 1/2 fire to see if that feels better
Ok Yosh, I may have to give this cut a try
Alright! Hopefully I can pull a Friday/Saturday back to back soon.
0:20 smoooooth
That half second of video only cost me 15 minutes of tutorial watching and painful frame by frame masking haha. I appreciate very much that you appreciated it!
When you lose an edge it is the worst edge lost you’ve ever had. The FBV was great until I got a flat spot in one foot
Haha yeah, I find I usually do more frequent sharpening and fewer passes with FBV to make sure I'm not stepping on the ice to start a game with a dead spot.
Dunno if you’re still reading these or not but just a quick question. I’ve had a Sparx for a few years, I’ve had 1/2 Fire the whole time but have never used it before, I use a regular 1/2 all the time. I’ve been thinking about trying my fire ring for my next skate, just wondering how many passes I should do with the Fire ring on first shot to make sure it’s fully changed over? I sharpen after every skate with my 1/2 consistently and only do 2 passes each time. Thanks
Definitely give it a try! 4 cycles might be enough coming from 1/2" ROH. I usually make a few short sharpie marks at the heel, mid, and toe if I'm a bit worried. Then I check to see if I have full coverage
@@SeenByYosh awesome, appreciate the feedback! 👍
Thanks for the video 👍🏽
I‘d suggest maybe using a microphone if possible.
Thanks for watching and the feedback! Back then, this was probably the Rode VideoMic Go, just off camera. And largely unedited, I'm sure 😅I use a lav on my main channel now which is much better... but a boom that I can keep set up in front of the shot is on my list as that channel grows.
Thank you for the video 🙏
My only question is if you own a Sparx you can use the fire grinder ring to cut for every game so even though it’s sensitive to damage would it last one game?
Yeah it's not so fragile that you wouldn't make it through a game or even multiple sessions... it's just something to note that is physically a bit different. If I was using a consistent ring, I settled into running about two cycles on my skates every other skate so that they were always nice and fresh.
@@SeenByYosh Thank you 🙏
No problem, thanks for watching!!
Thank you for responding. Your videos are awesome 👍👍 but I have another question that I’ve been thinking about. If you had a choice between FBV and Fire which one would you pick and why?
I ordered my new sparks sharpener on Monday and it was a hard choice between the pro sharpener and the Sparx. I chose the Sparx.
Thanks 🙏
@@eddiearriaga3800 I wouldn't say I have a strong preference between the two, the differences are so small I doubt I would be able to tell (whereas there definitely is a difference between ROH and either FBV/Fire). Before I stopped skating for the pandemic I was still really liking the FIRE so I think you'll be happy going that way.
Has anyone tried the 3/8 fire? How is the performance compared to 1/2 fire?
Not me, but also curious
@@SeenByYosh I finally bought the 3/8 fire ring. I sharpened it for myself and my son.... We both play.
Unfortunately we both hated it. After being on 1/2 fire for a while now, we found the 3/8 to have too much bite.
It made transitions and crossovers difficult after being used to the glide of the 1/2 and bite when needed. The 3/8 was always engaged and it engaged too quickly.
It wasn't for us. I do hear great things about the 5/8 fire but were happy with 1/2 for now.
Oh no! Sorry to hear, but thanks for remembering to stop back. And at least you know now. Hopefully you might come across someone local who also wants to give it a shot.
I went from 5/8 to 5/8 Fire and it felt a little sloppy honesty. I did like the glide though. I just bought my own Sparkx machine and bought the 1/2 Fire, I need a little more bite.
Idk I feel like I really want to give this sharpen a try but I enjoy some of the sloppiness of that softer transition sometimes. It sort of assists my indecisive or inaccurate movements as a mostly beginner skater. I cut mine at 5/8 currently, I’m not a small person, so I wouldn’t mind the extra glide to help out. Do you feel like this cut is for a higher level skater or it really doesn’t matter, you just have to get used to it.
Sorry, seeing this late! I would say preference probably matters more than skill here and that you would get used to it, especially with the FBV-like shape that Sparx has. The true FBV that I tried beforehand did feel "weirder" for longer. The unfortunate part about switching is that $60 is expensive for a ring that you might only use a few times... I tried the 5/8" FIRE first and it was too shallow, even though I feel I can manage on a 5/8" ROH.
I skated a 5/8 for years then when I recently got a sparx i tried the 1/2 fire (it came in the starter pack). I love it. I feel like i have the glide of my 5/8 but i can really make that ice crunch with the edges. Id say go for it. I'm not the greatest skater and I liked it better. But then again, with fresh cuts i think the sparx makes any hollow crunch the ice
If you already have a common grind (not fire or fbv) does it take a lot of passes to grind in? Does it take it a lot of grinding to go back?
Do you mean switching between regular ROH hollows? I would usually run 4 passes if I was switching hollows to something immediately above or below, just to make sure I had a nice, clean starting point.
Sparx advertises 10 passes for a new hollow. Of course that is their generic recommendation for all size transitions. So you'd likely need fewer passes for a smaller switch. Experiment using a sharpie on the bottom of the blade and do 2-3 passes at a time until the sharpie mark disappears and you have your new hollow.
Yes, definitely do not do 10 for a hollow switch, I believe this is their recommendation for new steel actually. The last new set I did only required 8 cycles, but that will vary too.
What's your thoughts on using the fire with goalie skates?
Good question - I've only played in net on ice a handful of times long, long ago. So I couldn't even tell you what ROH I'd like in net personally. In theory, FPV is going to damage more easily but I would give it a try if you're interested (maybe first at a shop before getting a full ring). Would love to hear your thoughts here if you try it!
@@SeenByYosh I plan to try it in the next few weeks. I got the starter pack and it came with the 1/2" fire
Nice, enjoy it!