How to Manually Sharpen Ice Skates With a File

Having properly sharpened skates is essential for optimal performance on the ice. Both your speed and agility are affected by the sharpness of your blades. Sharpening ice skates requires refined skill and careful technique. Skate blades consist of two ridges; when your skates are properly sharpened, both ridges will be perfectly level. If you are new to ice skating and the concept of sharpening blades, it is best to take them to a professional shop. Incorrectly sharpening your blades not only will make skating difficult, it ultimately can destroy your blades.

Things You'll Need

  • Skate sharpening jig
  • Flat file
  • Burr stone
  • Towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your skates into the skate sharpening jig. Tighten the front support of the jig first, then the back support. Remember to always set up your skates in the jig the same way each time your sharpen your blades.

    • 2

      Tighten the back blade brackets. Your skates should be flush against the plastic restraining bar. Tighten the front blade brackets. Make sure your skates are level in the jig before beginning to sharpen your blades.

    • 3

      Sit with your jig in between your knees. This will help you to keep the jig steady as you work. Start with your file at either the heel or toe end of the blade. Move the file across the blade in a diagonal motion. The file must always be perpendicular to the blade; otherwise you will take the edges off your blades.

    • 4

      Run the file across the blade in one direction about 20 times, then repeat in the opposite direction.

    • 5

      Run a burr stone across your blades to remove any leftover metal fillings.

    • 6

      Wipe off your freshly sharpened blades with a towel or rag.