Skate Sharpening Tips

The bottom face of an ice skate is hollow ground to impart a cutting edge to each side of the blade. The Radius of Hollow (ROH) determines the amount of "bite" each side of the blade has against the surface of the ice. The lower the ROH, the higher the bite angle. A high bite angle allows the blade to penetrate deeper into the ice, resulting in increased drag. Higher drag means that more energy is required for the skater to accelerate; however, it also means that the skater has a greater degree of control while maneuvering on the ice.

  1. Choosing the Right ROH

    • Since the recommended Radius of Hollow varies among different classes of skaters, choosing the ROH is matter of trial and error. For example, National Hockey League players tend to favor an ROH between 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch to achieve the appropriate balance between maneuverability and acceleration. Figure skaters, on the other hand, tend to prefer better glide. This calls for an ROH of 1 inch or higher. The recommended ROH for beginners and recreational skaters is usually between 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch.

    The Grinding Wheel

    • Each pass of a blade over a grinding wheel results in wear to the stone. Out-of-shape grinding-wheel profiles will result in an uneven bite angle and unmatched outer blade edges. Dress the grinding wheel with a diamond stylus after sharpening two to three pairs of skates. Adjustable tolerances on the dressing gauge will allow you to apply the correct ROH to the stone. Use different diameter wheels for each ROH.

    Centered Stone Cutting Height

    • Adjust the blade to the correct height after clamping the skate into the adjustable fixture. Center the stone precisely in the middle of the skate blade to ensure an even bite angle on both outside edges. If the stone is off center, one edge will be higher than the other, resulting in less efficiency and an off-balance feel for the skater.

    Skate Sharpening

    • Smoothness of hand and an even grinding action is essential to imparting a straight, indentation-free cutting surface along the length of the blade. Finish each blade with a handheld ROH dressing stone after mechanical grinding.

    Removing the Burr

    • Make sure the side-honing stone is perfectly flat; removing burrs—thin ridges or areas of roughness produced in shaping metal—eventually will wear a lengthwise groove into the side of the stone. Apply moderate pressure when beginning, and increase the sideways force as you remove the brittle edges of the burr. Run a thumb over each edge after side honing to ensure complete burr removal. Finish with two passes along the edge of the blade with the handheld ROH dressing stone.