FAQ
Straight answers, no runaround. If your question isn't here, ask The Dude directly — John answers personally.
The Shop
Where are you located?
Annandale, VA — 6455 Holyoke Drive. The full address and directions come with your appointment confirmation.
Do you take walk-ins?
No — in-person service is by appointment only. That's not gatekeeping; it's how your skates get dedicated attention instead of sitting in a pile. Book a time on Calendly — slots open and close regularly, so check back if you don't see one that works.
What are your hours?
Hours vary week to week. Calendly always shows real-time availability, and John occasionally opens extra slots outside normal hours.
How fast is in-person service?
Most sharpenings are done while you wait or same-day. Bigger jobs (profiling, boot work, repairs) depend on the work — John will give you an honest timeline when you book.
Sharpening & Services
What's the difference between ROH and FBV?
ROH (radius of hollow) is the traditional cut — one curve, dialed to your depth preference. FBV (flat bottom V) gives you glide and bite at the same time. Which one's right depends on how you skate — read Sharpening 101 or just ask.
I don't know what hollow I need. Is that a problem?
Not at all — that's the job. Tell John your level, position, weight, and what you're feeling on the ice, and he'll dial it in. Most shops default everyone to 1/2". You're not most skaters.
What is profiling and do I need it?
Profiling shapes how much blade touches the ice and where your balance point sits. It's the single most underrated upgrade in skating — factory profiles are often inconsistent even on brand-new steel. Read Profiling 101, or check the profiling services (ProSharp, Cag One, and TSD Custom).
Do you work on figure skates?
Yes — and properly. Figure blades are not hockey blades, and they're not treated like them here. Standard and competition-edge sharpening, blade mounting, boot work, and waterproofing. See Figure Services.
Goalie skates? Recreational skates?
Yes and yes. Goalie, player, figure, rec — if it has a blade, it gets sharpened right.
How often should I sharpen?
You'll hear "every 8–12 hours of ice time" from most shops. Here, customers typically go 15–20 hours between sharpenings — a properly finished edge simply holds longer. Come in sooner if you catch a rut, hit something hard, or feel sluggish in turns.
What does it cost?
Full pricing for every service lives on All Services & Pricing. Package deals are on Service Packages.
Mail-In Service
How does mail-in work?
Order your service online, ship us your skates or steel, we do the work within 1–2 business days of arrival, and ship them back. The full walkthrough is on the Mail-In Services page.
Where do you ship from and to?
Anywhere in the United States. You cover the trip to Annandale; return shipping is a flat $11.99, paid at checkout.
Can I mail in just my steel instead of whole skates?
Yes — and for sharpening or profiling hockey steel, it's the smart move. Pop the blades out of your holders and ship just the steel. Cheaper to ship, nothing to miss from your bag. Pack them in a blade case (Howies or Bladetech if you need one — it comes back home with your steel).
Can I mail in figure skates?
Absolutely — including competition-edge work. Skaters outside the DMV use this exact service because a trustworthy figure sharpener is hard to find. Use blade guards or wrap the blades, and pack the boots snug.
How long until I get my skates back?
Work is done within 1–2 business days of your skates arriving unless we contact you about something. Add shipping time each way — most customers are skating again inside a week to ten days, coast to coast.
What if I have a game this weekend?
Tell us before you ship — reach out and we'll talk timing honestly. If it can't make it back in time, John will tell you straight instead of letting you find out the hard way.
What if my skates are lost or damaged in shipping?
On the way to us, shipping is in your hands — add carrier insurance if you want the protection (cheap, and recommended for high-value skates). On the way back, TSD insures every return shipment up to the value of your skates. If the worst happens, we'll handle the claim with you — and since we sell skates, we'll help you get replaced and back on the ice. Once your skates are on the bench, they're treated like family.
Do I need to include anything in the box?
Yes — a note with your name, order number, contact info, and any specifics (hollow preference, profile type, anything John should know). It's also in the confirmation email you get after ordering.
Equipment Orders
Do you stock everything in the shop?
No — and that's deliberate. Most gear is ordered from suppliers when you order from us, which keeps overhead low and selection wide. Orders are typically processed within 1–3 business days; see the Shipping Policy for details.
Can I get gear fitted or baked?
Yes — boot baking, stretching, punching, and fit work are all available in-shop by appointment.
Do you do custom jerseys or engraving?
Both. Custom jerseys & apparel for teams and individuals, and laser engraving including custom blade etching.
Gift cards?
Right here. The easiest gift in hockey.
Still stuck? Contact The Dude — you'll get John, not a ticket number.
