OfflineAnother season guys yee haa, for those of you who didn't get the opportunity to try JT knife for your sharpening or a new blade I strongly recommend you do, they fixed a blade i couldn't use,they called me to make sure i was satisfide and gave me a blade they manufactured all this in less than a week, this blade they made (AMAZING) 3 weeks now 1/4 turn and no honing! check them out www.jtmachineknife.com
Why not use Ice King, or Ice Master? They're the ones who specialize in scraper blades. A lot of those private machine shops can give some scary results.
I use Ice King blades and have been pretty happy, but another alternative is never a bad option in a pinch I guess. What area are you from, and where are they based out of?
I was using Ice King,but decided to explore my options, as stated by Ice King him self he buys his blades from Europe,JT knife is a manufacturer,they make scraper blades from raw steel they don't buy,so who realy is the specialist,I toured their company seen how it's made,if I want 5ft 6ft better quality steel or a wider blade they can make it, why use a middle man who buys and sells, just wanted to let everybody know we have options,I'm sold.
Still, I'd feel a lot more comfortable about buying a blade from the company that designed the scraper itself, may it be Ice King or Ice Master. They've both been doing it a lot longer. JT may do a good job as well though.
Which club are you at Pebble Head?
I have to agree, I have used both iceking and icemaster and like ice king better. I have also used a local machine shop that told me that they could do it, what a disaster. Do the guys at J&T curl? Do they understand what we need?
Jeff
are you looking for a curling partner? then JT knife isn't your best bet, if your in need of 100% consistency (sharp/straight) blades allong with good pricing then JT is your best bet
I'm still wary of going to a private machine shop that knows nothing about the sport, when there's known good options in Ice King and Icemaster who understand what it takes to make curling ice properly.
What makes me even more wary is the fact you won't let us know what club you're at. For all I know you are the owner of JT Machine Knife and you don't make ice or curl at all. That could lead to a seriously sub-par product.
What club are you at?
I think you have an axe to grind with Ice King......
I kinda agree with icetech1010. I just did men's worlds and Guy from Icemaster was there for a few days getting feedback from the techs there. He was also helping us with honing techniques, helping us keep the blades the best they can be. My club has had some issues with Ice King blades in the recent past, but have been assured that those problems have been rectified. That being said, we will probably be using Icemaster in the future. No offense to JT Knife, they may do a great job, but for me, I think I'll stay with a company that has a track record doing machining for equipment they design, build and support well into the future.
Ride it like you stole it!
The Original pebblehead
The option of using ICE KING to sharpen blades (or anything else) is not likely to be available soon.
Heard last week that Ice King let all of the employees go and that Bill is calling it quits. Also heard he's planning on starting up a new company shortly. Not sure what the name of the new company will be, but I'm sure if he does start another one up, he'll still be able to sharpen blades (the ICE KING EXPANSION post stated Bill had the grinder in pieces because he was getting a new one). Not sure about any 'warranty' issues with Ice King, but at least Bill will still be around the curling world if there are any problems.
Of course this could all just be a nasty rumour, but, perhaps some clubs might want to look into this, in case it is true. I think being informed of this news now will allow those that would be affected to avoid problems down the road (before the next curling season starts).
Ok guys, listen. For the second year in a row the same rumor has popped up. Who ever have the axe to grind with me, please contact me and stop posting false accusations on an open chat line. Yes I let some of my staff go, it is the end of the season. How many of you ice makers are still employed at your home club right now with no ice? Is your club closing up shop? Because if they are I need to know so I can look for more options in the fall. Come on guys, get over it.
And oh yah, I don't hide behind a false name like some of you.
Bill Wood
Owner of ICE KING.
Guess time will tell how 'honest' you are.
And the term is 'username' not 'false name'. I'm assuming there is a reason why the forum gives you the option of using one. Of course if a member wants to use his real name, I'd assume there is a reason for that too. Perhaps for business reasons? Whatever the reason, using your real name doesn't make you braver or better than anyone else here.
If you ask me he sounds pretty honest.
I'd be pretty annoyed too if I owned a company, then read completely false rumours on a chat forum that it was closing up shop. Especially when many of his customers read this forum on a semi-regular basis.
I'd recommend if you want to start posting rumours like that, you make sure what you're posting is true. Otherwise it's reasonable to expect an angry response.
I'm non-bias here... but it seems kind of rude for a business man like yourself to say that your current and possible future customers hide behind false names... kind of gives you a bad name, and is basically rude.
He is defending his business from a anonymous poster spreading lies about it. I think he showed more restraint than many. He isn't being rude to his customers, just the people tearing at him who may or may not have been customers at one time. They may be competitors.
Here in the states Ice King would probably have a legal recourse against "Curious" for interfering with commerce. Maybe Bill should check Canadian law.