Its amazing how little attention the average hockey player places on the most critical piece of hockey equipment that is actually designed to touch the ice during the game – the skate blade. Professional players, junior players, skaters who have had their skates sharpened by the best in the business all appreciate the difference. However, they are a small percentage of the many thousands of skaters who have never experienced the difference that a skate profile and an expert sharpening by a professional can make.
Skates and blades are an often-overlooked yet critically important piece of the skater’s equipment. A solid pair of skates will maximize a player’s potential but what is the best way to care for a pair of skates? How often should skates be sharpened? How do you know if the guy grinding your blades is competent?
When it comes to choosing a good skate sharpener most people really don’t know what to look for. Even a small amount of education can have a huge payoff for any skater.
Like most good services, the best way to find a good provider is word of mouth and results. Look for a place with a good name and regular, satisfied clients – you get what you pay for. And once you find a good one, stick with them because the sharpener and even the skate sharpening shop will get to know your skates.
I’m often asked how often a pair of skates should be sharpened. This is dependant on a number of factors including – quality of ice, accidental damage to an edge, a player’s individual ‘feel’ for the edges, number of hours on the ice, etc. Some NHL players may get a pair of skates sharpened up to four times a day and even between periods of a game. The average player should normally get their skates sharpened every four to eight hours of ice time.
Is there any way to tell if your skates have been properly sharpened? Have a look at the bottom of the blade. There should be a clean, satiny finish to the bottom of the blade – it should almost feel ‘creamy’ to the touch. Also, check the steepness of the blade at the heel and tow. If the blade curves up too sharply the sharpener has probably been rocking the blade from side to side rather than holding it steadily.
Also, look at the colour of the blade. If you see a brown or blue tinge to the blade it means the sharpener has pressed too hard against the stone and burnt the blade. This has changed the property of the metal in the blade and it is highly likely that the edges will break down very easily (possibly just by walking or skating on the blade) causing the ‘I’ve lost an edge’ effect right after having them sharpened.
Have the sharpener show you that the blades are even. The easiest way to do this is with a special level adapted to a skate blade - a standard device used by all Maximum Edge dealers. If you can tell with the naked eye that the edges are uneven, you’re in trouble.
Another trick is to take a cotton ball and run it down the edge of the blade with light pressure. If any fibers from the cotton ball catch in the edge of the skate, it hasn’t been sharpened properly.
The first big test after the sharpening is when you are on the ice. If you feel the skate is too sharp or not sharp enough you may need to have your hollow radius adjusted. Then how does it feel on the ice the second, third and fourth time? Consistency is important – you have to trust your blades every time you step on the ice. Small adjustments made by a Maximum Edge dealer can really affect a skater’s performance.
Studies done by Bob Allen of Maximum Edge have demonstrated that fine-tuned skates can have tremendous paybacks in terms of maximizing a skater’s ability. Good skate maintenance leaves a player in control of their skates, allowing the player to focus more on the skill aspects of the game rather than the simple acts of pushing off and striding. It can give a skater of his/her team a competitive advantage. A player will not have to exude as much energy, which can make a huge difference in the later stages of the game when the other team is getting tired.
Gary Stevenson
Mega City Promotion/Maximum Edge
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