Beacon Hill Skate Shop

09/08/09

Top Notch

by Bergie at Citysearch

I went to a lot, and I mean a lot, of different places before I found Beacon Hill Skate. Now that I found them, I won't go anywhere else. They do them right on the spot and you don't have to wait, unless there are people in front of you. But it still doesn't take long. I have great control and can stop on a dime...They are the BEST... go there...you won't be disappointed,,

• Pros: The guy was really nice and very knowledgeable...

02/20/09

Best Sharpening... Have tried MANY other places

by cookvt at Citysearch

First off, this review is for hockey skate sharpening, I don't know about the roller skates or skateboarding stuff... As far as skate sharpening goes, this is by far the best place I've found after three years of hockey in the Boston area. I have tried a bunch of places, including driving a bit outside the city, and nothing even comes close.

This is not the type of place that you hand over your skates and they disappear to the back room for 15 minutes and then off you go. Chris actually shows you the sharpening process, pointing out what to look for when skates are sharpened correctly. It was really nice to get back on the ice after getting them sharpened here, the difference between other sharpenings was quite obvious.

The shop is exactly as described in other reviews, it's not the biggest flashiest place around, but he knows what he's doing and he's fun to talk to.

Hockey skates cost $10, with an additional $5 if they're rusty. If nothing else, that's incentive to take care of your skates. Yes, you can find some places for cheaper around, but in the long run you're going to spend A LOT more because you'll have to go back over and over. If you want a quality job, it's well worth the few extra bucks.

I don't know about the review right below mine. From my experiences, there's no way Chris would give back a pair of skates with uneven edges. That was one of the main things he fixed for me... my edges were very uneven and he was clearly disgusted with the shop that had sharpened mine before. I also know someone who got goalie skates sharpened here with no problem. Don't let that negative review keep you from trying this shop... see for yourself.

As a last note, the shop is not on Beacon Hill by the Charles MGH T Stop, it's on Charles Street South, on the other end of the common.

• Pros: Best sharpening in town. Easy to get to (by T or on foot, I don't think there's much parking)
• Cons: Not open all day, but if you call he'll let you know when he's around

02/07/09

GO TO FROG POND FOR SKATE SHARPENINGS (THAT IS HOW BAD HE IS)

by hockeykids at Citysearch

skate sharpening were horrible. i sharpen skates to but i could not get home to do mine or my wife's. She is a goalie. She specifically asked chris if he did goalie cuts and he said yes, so we did it. We were desperate and when he said because she has a little rust on them it would be 5 dollars more. Then he went on to tell me that my skates that had a small but of rust on each skate it would cost 15 dollars. So combined 35 dollars for two skates. Let me put it this way i have bought shin pads that cost less. The edges were way off he ruined my wing cut on my skates and know i have to travel 2 hours home and fix the goalie skates that were cut like a forward. HOW DOES THAT HELP A GOALIE. For all of the above stay away. Look at other negative reviews completely agree. Does not know what he is doing. I just wanted to thank him for making me go home and have to spend more money to get new blades and get my radial back to the way it should be. I rather get my skates sharpened at the FROG POND

• Pros: does he have any
• Cons: pricing, sharpening quality

05/28/08

Really Good Job for Sharpen the Skates

by Skater123 at Citysearch

Owner Chris knows how to sharpen the skates. My picky competitive skater only likes Chris's job, and for that we have to drive an hour to get the skates sharpened, but it worth the driving and gas.

• Pros: Best job for sharpen the skates
• Cons: Need to drive to the city

02/18/08

Super (but call for hours)

by DDfromDorchester at Citysearch

I have been going to Beacon Hill Skate Shop for about 12 years. I've bought my kids skates there and I would not get skates sharpened anywhere else. I tried cheaper places twice and the results were mediocre the first time and the second worse than leaving the blades unsharpened. I had Chris redo them after one time on the ice. Chris is careful and methodical in sharpening skates, and you pay for his time. It's worth it.

If you don't own skates and are looking to rent, I would go to Chris over renting at a rink. The shop is two blocks from the Common so you can rent and walk over to the Frog Pond. You'll get properly sharpened skates and help with sizing.

Don't expect a well-organized, pristine shop. It's a messy place, but he knows skates and how to care for them. Don't expect a bargain, but you will get good value for your money.

12/04/07

Great service and advice

by bostonewehockey at Citysearch

Not only did Chris do a great job sharpening my skates, but he also gave me a break down of how skate sharpening work (and the difference between sharpening new skates as opposed to those that have seen serious ice time). He also gave a great recommendation for restaurants in the Burlington, VT area (I was headed up to watch a few games) and an impromptu skate lesson right in the store. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it was truly one my best visits to a skate shop. He gets my full support! Thanks, Chris!

• Pros: Great job on the skates, great service, adorable cat
• Cons: None, really.

02/23/07

the best skate sharpener around

by dhockey at Citysearch

I have been playing hockey for 17 yrs in various leagues and and scrimmage nights, and have been using Chris for 3 seasons now,because he knows his stuff.I,m kinda picky about how my skates are sharpened,and don't trust anyone else but Chris to touch them.He even went as far as showing me how to

stone sharpen them by hand to get a couple of extra uses out of them, which was really helpful.

• Pros: very knowledgable,damn good skate sharpener
• Cons: I'm allergic to his cat

01/25/07

Great for Serious Figure Skaters

by krzemien at Citysearch

I've lived in Boston for eight years (since college) and haven't REALLY skated in almost as long. I don't have a car so I needed a place that specialized in competitive figure skates and was T-able. When I finally found Chris at Beacon Hill Skate Shop, I knew I had something good. I mean, yeah, it's $15 to have your skates sharpened, but anyone who really skates knows that's what the going rate is. I'm refering to those of you who can feel the difference between a 7/16 and a 1/2 sharpening. :-) Mine were a mess since I stopped competing after passing my senior test in highschool. But Chris did a great job and I will bring them back everytime.

I have a feeling that he does an equally good job with the typical skate sharpening and I think it costs less for recreational and hocky skates.

Thanks so much Chris!

09/06/06

Great local business, very helpful owner

by danyeo at Citysearch

I visited this shop on Labor Day to replace my wheels and bearings for my in-line skates, when most other shops were closed. Not only did he point out that the $80 bearings I had purchased a few years ago from board and blades (thank god they're gone!) were not in fact "swiss bearings" but a significantly cheaper variety, was friendly enough to help and teach me how to replace them in the future despite my turning down his offer to install them for a nominal fee. I highly recommend this shop for anyone who wants to business that has been around for years and deal with an owner who is honest and knowledgeable.

The shop is also co-run by a very friendly cat for any cat lovers!

• Pros: Convenience, honest and helpful owner

04/22/06

Do not go there!

by sduzhypmb at Citysearch

I went there for sharpening service of the ice skating. He asked for a price 15 bucks which only needs 4-5 bucks somewhere else. Stay away~!