What is Flat Bottom V skate sharpening?
The flat bottom v changes the normal half moon cut of a blade to be a flat bottom with “fangs” on each edge, supposedly allowing you to glide easier, further and faster than the normal cut and turn better. See the diagrams below of the normal skate sharpening and the flat bottom v skate sharpening.
Are ice skates flat on the bottom?
The flat bottom shape of the blade allows the skate to glide across the top of the ice rather than cut through it. This reduces drag helps to increase speed. At the same time, the precision edges are ready to dig in and provide precise control on turns and stops.
What is the sharpest skate sharpening?
You can get your skates sharpened anywhere from 1/8th of an inch to one inch. 1/8th would be the sharpest, and one inch would be the least sharp. The majority of pros use something with a shallower hollow, but preference does widely vary.
What do NHL players get their skates sharpened at?
Do NHL players sharpen skates between periods?
They sharpen every skate in the afternoon before every game, a process that takes them about an hour, each manager with their own sharpening machine.
How do pros get their skates sharpened?
The machines aren’t complicated — there’s a grinding wheel set horizontally and the equipment manager moves the skate, on its side, along it by hand — but there’s an art to doing it right. The Hurricanes lug two sharpening machines along with them on the road.
Can 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.
Should ice skate blades be sharp?
Your hockey skates should be sharp enough to ensure the blades have bite and allow you to turn and stop with confidence. Sharp edges mean that the inside and outside edges of your skate blade are razor-thin, clean and without burrs or nicks.
Is 5/8 a good skate sharpening?
5/8 (Shallow) grind is what most figure skaters skate on. This gives you a good flowing edge and has little friction on the ice.
What skate radius do NHL players use?
1/2″ inch
The most common skate sharpening radius we see for ice hockey players is a 1/2″ inch or 5/8″ inch cut.
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.
How often should I get skates sharpened?
every 20-40 skating hours
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 is the difference between 5/8 and 1/2 skate sharpening?
Glide and bite are determined by the amount of blade cutting into the ice. 1/2 inch is our standard hollow, a 3/8 would provide more bite, a 5/8 would provide less bite.
Why do hockey players tape their sticks?
The reasons are obvious: Tape makes a stick easier to hold. Tape “softens” the blade, making it easier to corral a pass, lets the puck linger in your cagey control, or allows you to snap a precise wrister through the five-hole. Tape protects the blade, helping it survive the brunt of your cannonading slap shots.
What skate cut does Sidney Crosby use?
Radius of Hollow or Hollow Grind
| Wayne Gretzky – 1/2″ | Sidney Crosby – 9/16″ |
|---|---|
| Joe Sakic – 5/8″ | Evgeni Malkin – 11/16″ |
| Chris Pronger – 7/8″ | Jordan Staal – 5/8″ |
| Mark Messier – 1″ | Sergei Gonchar – 1-1/4″ |
| Paul Coffey – 1″ to 2″ | Alex Ovechkin – 1/2″ |
How long skates stay sharp?
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 do you know if my skates are sharp enough?
We recommend testing 3-5 spots up and down the blade on both the inside and outside edges. If you feel a little bite to your nail as you drag it across the edge – the edge is sharp.