Speed Skate Sharpening Jig Comparison: EHS StayBent vs. Bont vs. CBC
Every competitive short track and long track speed skater eventually faces the same equipment decision: which speed skate sharpening jig should I buy? Because speed skate runners are hand-honed to a flat 90-degree profile rather than hollow-ground on a wheel, your sharpening jig determines whether your blades stay parallel, square, and—most critically for short track—hold their bend.
Inside our skate lab at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, UT, we stock and test the leading jigs from EHS StayBent, Bont, and Carpenter Boot Company (CBC). Here is how they compare side by side.
Side-by-Side Speed Skate Sharpening Jig Comparison
| Jig Model | Price | Discipline Fit | Clamp Style & Bend Safety | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bont Speedskating Sharpening Jig | $372.00 | Short Track & Long Track | Curved bend-safe holders + leveling plates | Skaters & families wanting one compact travel jig for both ST & LT |
| CBC Sharpening Jig | $399.99 | Short Track & Long Track | Machined upright jaws preserving tube alignment | Developing to advanced racers seeking rugged North American build quality |
| EHS Shorttrack Jig (Model 2025) | $419.99 | Short Track Specialist | Self-aligning Dutch CNC pivoting clamps | Competitive short track racers protecting aggressive blade bends |
| StayBent EHS Portable Jig | $449.00 | Short Track & Long Track | Modular breakdown CNC anodized chassis | Frequent flyers packing a full sharpening bench in checked luggage |
| EHS StayBent Pro Jig | $1,175.00 | World Cup ST & LT | Heavy-duty zero-flex multi-point tour frame | Clubs, coaches, national team techs & multi-skater households |
3 Engineering Factors That Separate Great Jigs from Frustrating Ones
1. Short Track Bend Preservation
Short track blades carry a deliberate curve so you can lean past 50 degrees in the corners without chattering. If you clamp a bent short track blade inside rigid, flat parallel vise plates, tightening the knobs temporarily straightens the tube—meaning your stone grinds uneven edge heights that spring out of square the moment you unclamp! Always choose curved or pivoting clamps like the EHS Shorttrack Jig or Bont Jig if short track is in your lineup.
2. Torsional Rigidity vs. Airline Portability
When sharpening 64 HRC powder-metallurgy steel with coarse diamond stones, lightweight sheet-metal jigs flex and chatter. CNC-milled anodized aluminum designs—especially the StayBent EHS Portable Jig and CBC Jig—deliver stiff bench stability while breaking down flat for travel.
3. Why Your Jig Is Only as Flat as Your Stone
Even a $1,175 StayBent Pro Jig cannot produce a true 90-degree edge if your diamond stone is bonded to thin stamped steel that bows 0.2mm in the center. Pair your jig with a stress-relieved Salty Gold MIC-6 Cast Aluminum Double-Sided Diamond Stone (140/400 & 600/1200 grit) and Pro Burr Diamond Plate for dead-flat contact from toe to heel.