SkateMate patented handheld Ice Skate Sharpener / Conditioner for ALL ice skates, Ice Hockey, Speed skates or Dance! by Skatemate

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Small Radius (Less Than 1/2”) – Suitable for lighter players who don’t dig into the ice as much Pros This range ensures that Figure Skating blades will feel different when touched. It’s always wise to take the extra step and go to a professional skate sharpener if you’re not sure how each individual blade should feel in terms of edges and hollows. Are Speed Skating Blades Sharp? Since the abrasive cylinder is elastic and will conform to the blade using only LIGHT pressure, it fits itself to the ROH of the blade at hand. Most skaters get between 10-20 hours of ice time from each grind. This number also depends on your body weight, experience level and how sharp you prefer your blades to feel.

Figure out the radius size you need. The default that most skate shops use is a 1/2" radius, which is standard for young skaters. A smaller radius will create a deeper hollow, creating better grip and more drag. A larger radius, on the other hand, will produce a shallow hollow with worse grip and less drag. Grip determines maneuverability, while less drag allows for greater speed. The special ceramic-embedded abrasive used in SkateMate's cylinders is the second-hardest material on the face of the earth. Only pure diamond is harder. The best way to test if your ice skates need sharpening is to gently rub the top of your thumbnail down the side of the blade. If your blade is sharp enough, it should scratch the surface of your nail, but if the blade is dull, it won’t leave a mark.Keep in mind that even when being careful, ice skates still possess sharp edges capable of cutting, so always show respect for your environment when skating. Your Skate Blade Needs To Be Sharper The depth of the hollow depends on the kind of skating you will be doing plus your age , skill level and weight: Sharp edges create more glide as they float above the ice surface rather than sinking below it. This will help you get more speed and smoother adjustments while turning and stopping. The "radius" refers to the shape the grinding wheel takes out of skate that's brushed against it. You may remember from geometry class that the radius of a circle is half its width. Think of a circle with a small radius and how that can cut into the end of a rectangle. It can overlap much more than a circle with a larger radius. Thus, smaller radii create much more dramatic edges (a deeper hollow) than the more blunt edges of larger radii (a shallow hollow). [2] X Research source The frequency with which you need to sharpen your skates also depends on the type of blade, how much time you spend on the ice and how often you use your skates.

Having improperly sharpened blades means more than just risking injury while on the ice – it can also mean that you won’t be able to skate as efficiently as you could with a sharper blade. So never hit the rink until your blades have been adequately sharpened! Are The Bottom Of Ice Skates Sharp? It’s important for skaters to routinely inspect their blades and look out for any sharp edges that could potentially cause harm. This means making sure any sharp surfaces are covered up to prevent injury from occurring. Additionally, wearing protective gear such as helmets and pads is highly advised when participating in the sport.So whatever your preferred choice, there’s a Blade Barber to suit your needs, and all it takes is 3 to 4 passes along each edge to complete the sharpening process. If you need a ballpark figure for how often you should generally sharpen your skates, then it’s around 30-50 hours of ice time. However, if you don’t like overly sharp blades then aim for the 40-50 hour mark, and if you prefer razor-sharp blades opt for the 30-hour end of the scale. Absolutely! Going off an ice skate blade over your fingers is something that requires extreme caution. The pain can be excruciating and could potentially lead to more serious injuries such as broken bones and infections. Large Radius (Greater than 1/2”) – Suitable for heavier players who find it easy to grip the ice Pros Figure skating can be a very precise and technical sport. For this reason, it is important for skaters to have sharp blades on their skates. It might sound obvious but many beginner skaters don’t realize that the most important factor in your ability to skate ell on the ice comes down to how sharp your skates are.