1) The bottom of your blade is not flat, but rather concave. (See blade cross-section figure) This creates a hollow which allows your skate to cut into the ice. If you’ve ever put on a pair of skates out of the box (they don’t come sharpened), you’ve learned this the hard way.
What is a hollow on a skate?
In our case, it’s the concave groove that is ground into the bottom of the skating surface. So when we say Radius of Hollow (RoH), we’re referring to the depth of the cut ground into the bottom of our blade. We call the bottom surface of the hockey skate blade, the one that contacts the ice, the skating surface.
What skate hollow do NHL players use?
1/2” hollow
A 1/2” hollow is pretty standard for most players in the League – not too deep, not too shallow and gives a little bit of abilityThe amount of hollow is based on personal preference and style of play, among other things.
Do figure skates have a hollow?
The optimal hollow varies for each individual skater. It depends on your skating style, your weight, the ice hardness and your preference. Most skaters prefer hollows from seven 16th to five eights. A deeper hollow may make you feel like the blade is in control.
Do hockey skates have a hollow?
A shallower hollow will increase a skater’s speed but may require more skating skill. Generally, hockey skates will have a hollow between three-eighths and five-eighths of an inch.
Are ice skates sharp enough to cut you?
Hockey skate blades are sharp enough to cut someone when swung at high speeds but also dull enough that you could softly run your fingers across without even breaking the skin. In fact, it is common for skate sharpeners to use their finger to feel the edge of the blade to make sure the skates are properly sharpened.
Can ice skates be too sharp?
While your skates can never be too sharp, they can certainly be too dull and that can take a whole lot of fun out of the game. For those skaters who do feel their skates are too sharp at times, we recommend reviewing our post on selecting an ROH. You should experiment with a slightly shallower radius.
How often should you sharpen skates?
Skates should typically be sharpened after 8-10 hours of use on an indoor rink. This timeframe shrinks when skating outdoors. If you find yourself struggling to skate smoothly or falling down doing a typical skill you’d be comfortable with it is a sign that you may need to get your blades checked.
How often do NHL players get their skates sharpened?
This is a very personal call. Some players will sharpen very frequently, such as every 2-3 hours of ice time, while others go for an entire season without sharpening. If you’re unsure of where to start, try getting them sharpened after 10 hours of ice time, and then adjust as you feel is necessary.
What do most NHL players sharpen their skates at?
Most skates are sharpened by cutting an arc in between the two edges, known as the radius of hollow (ROH). This is measured in inches. Hockey player and goalie skates are often sharpened with a ROH from 3/8” up to 1-1/2”.
How much does it cost to get ice skates sharpened?
Sharpening costs vary from place to place and from one proshop to another. Generally, though, expect to pay anywhere in the $10 to $35 depending on who does it and where the sharpening happens.
How many times can you sharpen figure skates?
If the person sharpening your blades has a heavy hand and an aggressive sharpening wheel, your blades could need replacing in as little as 10-15 sharpenings. Whereas, if the person sharpening your blades has a light touch and is using a soft wheel, blades can typically last up to 50 sharpenings.
Are ice skates sharpened?
Generally skates should be sharpened every 20-40 skating hours. This depends on a few different factors such as how many times a week a skater is on the ice, which elements the skater is working on, and the build of the skater.
What skate hollow does Crosby use?
Around 3:44, he mentions that Crosby used to prefer a deeper hollow, but now uses a 1/2″ hollow.
Why do my skates chatter when I stop?
If a player’s skate chatters as the stop occurs, it means the player’s weight is too much on the heel of the skate! Weight will be applied equally on both skates with the feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider in the hockey stance position.
What hollow do speed skaters use?
Speedskate blades should be sharpened every 2-6 hours of use. They are “flat ground” with a 90 degree angle, whereas hockey and figure skates are “hollow ground”. The blades must be sharpened by hand, and will be ruined if sharpened like hockey skates.
How do female skaters deal with periods?
While getting her period and dealing with cramps may add stress to an already stressful situation, female athletes like Nagasu have learned to stay focused. “It’s really not that big of a deal. You just stick a tampon up there,” says Nagasu. She also finds that skating is a therapeutic exercise to alleviate cramps.
How do ice skaters not cut themselves?
Figure skating blades aren’t like knives.
The blades also have two edges with a grooved, concave center. This means that the female skaters’ weight is distributed over a slightly larger area than if the blades had a single, super-thin edge, like knives do.
How much does a pair of professional ice skates cost?
At the advanced skating levels, higher quality boots and blades are required. A suitable pair of skates for a test-only skater costs $500 to $1,000. Skate sharpening prices range from $15 to $25.
How long should ice skates last?
If everything goes according to plan, Misir said, he wouldn’t be needed. But that never happens. At best, figure skates last about 20 to 25 hours on the ice before they need sharpening — less if a skater likes her blades particularly sharp, or if something goes wrong.
How sharp are Olympic ice skates?
Keep in mind that the long speed skating blades used in the Olympics are honed flat with no radius. They are looking for maximum glide. While they are careful in the turns, don’t ever doubt that these blade edges are not sharp!