Yellowknife (Sep 13/06) - Sharpening skates isn't just about science, it's an art.

With 18 years of experience between them, Gary Stoodley and Jake Power decided to turn their artistic ability with blades into a business. The two partners opened Canuck Edge Skate Sharpening last Saturday in the Multiplex.

"It was a no-brainer to have a skate sharpening facility in the Multiplex," said Stoodley.

The two co-owners had long talked about opening their own skate sharpening business.

Both sharpened skates at Yellowknife Hardware. When the store closed down, the partners decided to purchase the Flemming Grey freehand B-3 skate sharpening machine, he said.

When the City of Yellowknife put out a proposal to open up a skate sharpening facility at arena, the pair jumped at the chance.

The two business partners put in a proposal and found out last April they were awarded a room to operate out of, he said. "It's basically a dream come true to have our own business," he said.

A number of different pieces of equipment for the business were required for the initial set up, said Power.

A special air filter drum needed to be installed in the skate sharpening room and a variety of sharpening stones was also necessary, he said.

Having a range of stones allows for different types of "grinds" which give a skate a particular type of sharpness, he said.

"A lot of people are used to having their skates sharpened a certain way," he said.

Prices for adults range from $6 to $8 depending on the type of grind and sharpness a client wants. A pair of children's skates will cost $5 to sharpen, he said.

Canuck Edge wants to be flexible and always accommodate its clients, said Power.

The business plans to sell hockey sticks and other hockey accessories their clients ask for, he said.

For the next few weeks though, the pair will focus on their main drawing point and hope to grind out 40 to 50 pairs of skates a day.

"We want to make our name by what we do," he said. Canuck Edge plans to be open seven days a week, including full days on the weekends.