I'm interested here in the basics that most figure skaters and hockey players expect pro shops to provide: solid blade mounting, boot sole waterproofing, blade straightness, desired hollow and rocker profiles, desired degree of sharpness, even edges, control of nicks, scratches, flat spots and bumps, toe pick tooth trimming, weight centering, shims, snug fit, tongue centering, support, and comfort.
I believe most skate shop employees and interested individuals skaters could learn to do these things if they wanted to and were encouraged to, and instructions were readily available.
(This post isn't about the fancy refinements available from the leading experts.)
(1) Do you believe that most sharpeners and boot technicians fail to meet these basic elements well?
(2) If so, what contributes most?
(a) High employee turnover and lack of employee interest, because employees aren't paid enough.
(b) Lack of available education.
(c) The available literature is too limited.
(d) The available literature is too technical.
(e) Insufficient market size in any geographic area for good training schools to be organized.
(f) Not enough customers would pay extra for better employee training and more careful work.
(g) It is more profitable for skate shops to things things fast than to do them well.
(h) Shop managers don't recognize the problem.
(i) I'm wrong: only an elite few could master the skills.
(i) Don't know, just wish all shops would get it right.
(j) Other.
(3) What do you pay for skate sharpening?
(4) Do you regularly use an expensive or inconvenient pro shop, because the most convenient shop doesn't meet your needs?
(5) Did I leave out anything important?