Skate Sharpening

What is a radius of hollow and which is right for me?

 

A radius of hollow is the depth of the groove/channel that is cut into the length of the blade by a sharpening machine, which determines the amount of grip or glide you experience.

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While there are a number of varied schools of thought, it is my opinion that personal preference dictates majority of the decision making when determining the depth of hollow. First and foremost you as a skater must feel comfortable and confident with what you are skating on, if a certain depth/setting is what you have been skating on for a prolonged period of time, any significant change may effect your level of confidence, thus putting you at an increased level of risk while you are on the ice.

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A lot of factors determine what depth of hollow you should be skating on. Let's break those down, as well as some basic physics that govern the science that is skating.

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Deeper hollows offer greater bite and edge control, making them ideal for beginners, smaller or lighter skaters who lack the physical size to press their edges firmly into the ice, or those who have a more upright stance. These hollows provide the benefit of quick acceleration, tighter turns, and greater traction when battling in front of the net or in the corners. For beginners and upright skaters, a deeper hollow offers greater stability and control. However, the downside of a deeper hollow is that it creates more friction and resistance, reducing glide, potentially leading to quicker fatigue.

On the other side of the radius spectrum, a shallower hollow is preferred by skaters who generate more downward power in each stride through greater bend of the knees and lean more drastically into turns, namely most professional skaters, who happen to be larger athletes and poses excellent edge control. Reduced hollow demands greater knee flexion and lateral angle of attack to dig the edges into the ice, which allows for longer strides and enhanced speed while gliding. Additionally, it can minimize fatigue due to reduced glide resistance.

The most commonly requested hollow cuts here at Sharp Skates NJ, as is in most Pro Shop are ½” and 5/8”, as they strike the optimal balance between edge depth and glide efficiency.

 

Smaller hollow- More Bite (e.g. 3/8)

• Deeper cut into the ice, edges feel “really sharp”

• Better for lighter players who dig in less to start with

• Ideal for beginners or those skaters who have an upright stance

• Feels like extra effort is required to skate as your skate edges dig into the ice more

• Stability and control

• More responsive turns

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Larger hollow- More glide (e.g. 7/8”)

• Shallower cut into the ice, edges feel “not that sharp”

• Better suited for stronger skaters that have deeper knee bend and with greater lean

• Feels like skating is more efficient or “easier” since less of the edge is sinking into ice

• Faster top speed

• Less resistant glide

• Easier on the joins

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When am I due to sharpen my skates?

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There is no predetermined amount of time when your skates are ready for a fresh sharpening. Environmental as well as mechanical factors will dictate your specific needs. Is the ice you are skating on sand or concrete based? Did you skate on controlled or natural ice? How clean are the rubber floors at your rink (if any)? Did you hit a post, or another skater's skates? 

 

Most experienced skaters develop specific preferences for how frequently they like their skates sharpened, influenced by factors such as their skating technique, time spent on the ice, and blade quality. A widely accepted guideline suggests sharpening skates every after 8 - 12 hours of ice time, depending on how those hours were spent, i.e. skating in circles during a public skate, or an intense week of power skating camps. However, some players are meticulous, preferring their skates are sharpened before each session, whilst others delay until their blades have no discernible edges left. During hockey games and practices, blades can suffer nicks and burrs from contact with the boards, goal posts, or other players. Although tools exist to quickly address minor imperfections, they cannot replace a proper sharpening.

Establishing a consistent sharpening routine will help you avoid that dreaded slipping sensation and keep your blades in optimal condition. Regular maintenance is crucial, as poorly maintained blades are more difficult to sharpen and perform subpar. Properly sharpened and maintained skate blades can last more than twice as long as those that are neglected.

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What factors might wear edges faster?

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• Temperature of ice will affect your skate blade wear, as colder ice is harder and will wear your edges faster.

• Walking around the rink? As well maintained as the flooring around the ice rink can be, the surface still collects debris. Anything from small stones, dirt, sticks, screws, and more, your skates will take more of a beating if you regularly walk around the rink without guards on and will need more frequent touch-ups. Be especially careful at some of the local rinks that have large sections of concrete exposed in areas right between the locker rooms and the ice itself.

• The quality of your steel. Some brands offer a range of different types of steel for their blades.  Higher level steel blades are easier to sharpen, hold an edge longer, possibly require less sharpening, but still require professional care and maintenance.

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Are my blades dull?

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A good time to determine if you are due for a sharpening, is just after you finished skating. Think of whether or not you had good grip on tight turns or sudden stops, or did you feel uncertain and out of control? While drying/wiping your blades, visually and physically inspect them. Look down the length of each blade. Do you see any bright spots or lengths of sparkling metal along any of the edges? Carefully run your fingers along the full length of the blades. Do they feel smooth, or do you feel imperfections, nicks, or deep gashes? If any of the above is present, you are due for a fresh sharpening. Blades often wear unevenly, with the inside of the toes and outside heels sustaining more significant damage and wear, examine those sections more carefully.

 

More experienced skaters will know precisely when they are in need of sharpening, while beginners will take some time to "get the feel".

Ultimately, the true test lies in the skating experience itself. Over time, you'll pick up on the subtle signs that indicate an edge is losing its keenness. Keep in mind that after sharpening your blades, there will be a short period of adjustment to the feel of a fresh edge. Although freshly sharpened blades usually perform better, you might be momentarily thrown off by the change, having grown accustomed to how duller blades felt.

 

Is it worth getting a second set of blades?

 

If your budget allows it, it certainly makes sense to have a spare set of blades, or even multiple sets, especially since most ice skating rinks no longer have a reputable skate sharpening service providers, or use the consistently poor quality automated machines. It is always better to have a reliable set of backup blades you know you can trust close at hand.

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How do I look after my blades?

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• Always dry and cover your blades after each use, store them in a pair of soft guards to protect them during travel. 

• Try to wear skate guards at all times when you are not on the ice.

• Keep skate guards dry and clear of any small debris like sand and pebbles.

• Loosen the laces, open the boot and pull the tongues out as much as possible after reach use to allow the skate boot to dry properly out of your bag. Moisture can affect the materials of the skate boot over time.

• Wipe down the bottom of your skate boot where the rivets/screws are located to avoid early rusting and damage.