If you are a hockey or figure skater, you know how important it is to have well-maintained skates. One essential part of skate maintenance is skate sharpening, which helps improve your skating performance and keeps you safe on the ice.
Improved Performance
When your skates are correctly sharpened, you will notice a significant improvement in your skating performance. Sharpened skate blades allow you to glide effortlessly on the ice, making it easier to perform turns, stops, jumps, and other manoeuvres. Dull blades, on the other hand, can make it difficult to skate smoothly and can even lead to injuries.
Better Control
Sharpened skates provide you with more control on the ice. With a sharper edge, you can perform turns and stops more efficiently, allowing you to manoeuvre more quickly and safely.
Personalised Profiling
Profiling your skates means changing the shape of your blade to suit your skating style and needs. A skilled skate technician can customise your blade to suit your skating style. This process can help improve your skating performance even more and make your skating experience more enjoyable.
Injury Prevention
Dull skates can cause injuries, especially when you're performing high-speed manoeuvres or jumps. When your skates are sharpened correctly, you have more control and better grip on the ice, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Selecting the Correct Hollow
The hollow in ice skates refers to the groove or channel that is cut into the bottom of the blade during the sharpening process. It is the space between the two edges of the blade that are hollowed out, creating a concave curve in the blade. The depth of the hollow can vary depending on the skater's preferences and the type of skating they do.
The hollow serves to create two edges on the blade that grip the ice and provide the skater with control and stability while skating. The depth of the hollow can affect the speed, the ability to turn, and the overall performance of the skates. Skaters must choose the right hollow based on their weight, skill level, and skating style to get the most out of their skates.
The most common hollow in hockey skates is a half inch (½), whereas the most common hollow. In figure skates is a 3/8th. However, it is more personal preference when it comes to selecting the hollow for yourself, if you are unsure, speak with your skate technician as they will be able to help you select the hollow that suits your needs.
It's recommended to have your skates sharpened roughly 40 hours of use on the ice, although this can vary depending on the skater's preferences and the type of skating they do. Here are some signs that indicate it's time to have your skates sharpened.
Decreased Control
If you notice that you're having trouble turning or stopping on the ice, it may be time to have your skates sharpened. Dull blades can make it difficult to control your movements on the ice, leading to slips and falls.
Blunt Edges
If your skates feel like they're sliding instead of gripping the ice, it may be time to have them sharpened. Blunt edges can make it difficult to accelerate, turn, or stop on the ice, increasing the risk of accidents.
In general, it's a good idea to have your skates sharpened regularly to maintain their performance and ensure your safety on the ice.
In conclusion, skate sharpening, and profiling are essential for hockey and figure skaters. They not only improve your skating performance but also help prevent injuries. Make sure to have your skates sharpened regularly by a skilled skate technician and consider personalising your skates' profile to suit your unique needs and style. Enjoy your time on the ice and skate safely!
