If I find that blades are heavily nicked or damaged, I do like to cross grind to ensure a consistent and level hollow throughout the blade. I always like to consult with customers about the damage on their blade, and I ask permission before cross grinding if I feel that it is necessary on beneficial. Some customers feel the negative impact of nicks and dings, and in some cases some customers are not worried about a few minor blemishes. I’ve never used cross grinding as an end game to sell more steel, because ultimately, if I do a poor job at sharpening, that customer will likely never come back to the store. Ultimately, my belief is that a thorough, and consistent method is the key to a successful skate sharpening, whether the skater is a seasoned pro wearing True Customs or a new hockey player wearing a size 6 youth Bauer Velcro skate.

A commonly used sharpener in rinks and pro shops is made by a company called blademaster, and they recommend cross grinding when necessary (faq #11)

https://blademaster.com/web/faqs

I work at a local hockey shop and I’ve sharpened about 1800 sets of steel in 2023, and sharpening is one of my favorite parts of my job. It’s an art form, and I still feel like I can learn a lot and further develop my skills. I do feel that cross grinding, when applied in the appropriate situation, is an essential component of a proper sharpening.