I've been skating/playing for over 20 years. This is by far the best explanation I've seen. I will pass this along to the kids/parents I coach. Thank you!! From Anchorage Alaska.
What an awesome compliment! Thank you! I'm so glad that this helped you. P.S. I'm envious of your ODR season up there. I'm just praying for one solid month of good ice here... especially this year
Jesus and the Mary Chain. I just witnessed a legit masterclass on skates and skate sharpening. Someone needs to submit this to UA-cam for their masterclass series. I've never actually seen the amount of information compiled all in one place before. This was amazing. Beautiful, articulate delivery of the information. The use of the dry erase board was genius as I'm a visual learner so this was perfect. I'm still stunned at how incredibly well done this was. I knew about 5-10% of what you covered so there's a LOT I picked up in this video. Such a well done video, edited perfectly. Awesome awesome job!!
I have been sharpening skate for over 20 years and this is by far the best explanation I have found online. I will be using this video as part of my training. Great job.
Very impressive! You know your stuff and you can explain it in terms that we all can understand. I have been working at rinks for many years, and its surprising how many people that work at rinks just dont understand the basics of skate sharpening. Good job!!
Agree with a lot of the folks here saying that this sharpening tutorial is among the very best on UA-cam. Might I suggest just 1 additional step you can take to drive home (i.e. “clarify”) the radius of the hollow part of this video? At ~9:35 into the video you're spelling out exactly what RADIUS OF THE HOLLOW means. Our thought is that viewers might grasp the idea of the different hollow radii (or radiuses) if, on your chart/diagram, you physically draw the full circle of the arcs representing each of the individual hollows (e.g. 1” vs 3/4” vs 5/8” vs 1/2” vs 3/8”). The only reason I’m suggesting this is that LOTS of folks see the depth of the hollow as equal to the radius #. Meaning, for example, a 5/8” sharpening would have a deeper hollow than a 1/2” sharpening because 5/8 is greater than (>) 1/2. By going just the one step further, in drawing the full circles of each radius cut in your diagram, folks will see exactly why a 5/8” radius cut produces a hollow arc smaller than (
Exactly what I needed to know. I used the same pair of skates for 25 years with light use, recently started taking my own kids to skate, and I figured after all those years I really aught to have them sharpened. I couldn’t understand why the skates felt WAY more “slippery” after the brand new sharpening. And now I can shave ice to stop when I never could before - it would just pitch me forward. Now I get it. Thanks.
Excellent video on skate sharpening. About 25 years ago I took a course for ice arena management, and one part we learned about skate sharping. Your video brings back memories for me.
This video is fantastic. Explained so well. I always went with the vanilla cut and i always get that chatter and grindy stip sometimes. Plus im a bigger guy too. Definitely gonna go for a smaller sharpen next time!
Thank you for a phenomenal video. Not only you know your stuff, you explain it in simple, straightforward, and logical terms, that are easy to understand for a newbie. Thank you!
Just wanna say this was explained very well, good flow to the video anyone with hard of hearing, I think, would also be able to understand this with the marker board.
Also wouldn’t you have more stride power if your skates are deeper (less radius) since it will grip into the ice more for greater acceleration? Or am I misunderstanding stride power lol
Thank you! And I see where your line of thinking is. You might get more push off power, but the deeper edges on the other skate cause more friction as you get pushed forward so you actually end up with less power over all.
Awesome video 👍👍 Both my daughters play hockey seven and nine-year-old. We just purchased Sparx sharpener because we also purchased synthetic ice. 5/8 is what’s recommended for synthetic ice. Can I sharpen the skates before every game it only cost a dollar per sharpen if you look at it that way with the machine? Thanks 🙏
@@rinkthreads3353 If you live close to Tampa absolutely it would’ve been a great you could’ve helped my daughters with some stick and puck but I will definitely keep you informed of the new Sparx I should get it next Wednesday. Thanks 🙏
i was at 3/4 for the first time. bitting on the ice for my edges. but i just usually sharpened to the standard" 5/8. would i be able to stop better if im on 5/8th? and doing turns
The blades of ice skates are made of tempered steel: "Blades are generally made of tempered steel and coated with a high-quality chrome. Some blade manufacturers may add titanium to the metal." More info can be found here: www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Ice-Skates.html
Very good questions! I'm glad you left a comment asking them. YES! New skates absolutely need to be sharpened before use. And rental skates hurt so badly because they've been broken in by many feet. When you go to buy skates, check out my video about baking them. Baking your skates lets you heat the plastic parts of the boot so that you can mould them to your feet specifically. Also be sure that when you're buying them, you have the sales associate measure your feet for size and step profile. Different models of skates are meant for different types of feet (flat footed, high arches, etc.). If you're in Canada, I highly recommend SportCheck. Welcome to the wonderful world of steel and ice. Let me know if you have any other questions.
So i weigh 155 ish, 5’10 what should I get? Like a 5/8”? And I want to be able to hockey stop without a ton of pressure on my stopping foot and i want to stop smoothly, a response would be really helpful
Hey Arcane, So it's going to depend on a lot of different factors like how warm the ice is and your skating style but I'd suggest that you start at a 1/2" and see how you like that. If you're finding it's not sharp enough, move up the scale. If it's not smooth enough, move down. This is all also about personal preference some heavier people still like a lot of bit. But in general, I'd recommend for most folks of your size to start at 1/2"
That would depend what he's currently skating on. If he's finding his feet drag, he needs more bite. Next time you're sharpening his skates, ask the person sharpening what their house cut is. Then try one to the right of the scale from that (if they're sharpening at 5/8", try 1/2"). If he's a lighter skater, then he needs more bite to get a good dig into the ice and prevent the drag of his blades. Keep playing with the sharpening until he finds something that feels right.
For fucks sake you're articulate. Fantastic explination, take this talent of yours and find a way to make money with it my dude. You've got a bright future ahead of you.
If you mean shuffle (push off with one skate and slide the other as you're moving sideways with your skates forward) it's because you probably can't get enough bite from the inside edge of your pushing foot. I'd try moving up to a 5/8 sharpening and see how that goes. To move laterally, you need to be able to get a good dig and push off your pushing foot.
you mixed imperial with metric system, inch with mm so is very confusing. the rest is logic and useful now I know what I need but If I go to my sharpen shop in Europe I need metric units mm
Hi there, here in North America, the Radius is always referred to in inches and the flat bottom v's use of mm is standardized in the numbering system. I agree the mixed use of units can be rough. Bauer has a chart for the radius of the hollow with BOTH measurements found here cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0606/2758/3214/files/sharpening-hollows-FINAL_600x600.png?v=1665522693 Hope that helps!
I would go with a 1/2" for now, and see how you feel. Stil slipping? try a 5/8". Also keep in mind, ice tends to change temperature as outside gets warmer. So your prefered hollow might change with the seasons.
I know this is the perceived wisdom but I still struggle to understand it? Surely, no matter how deep the cut is, the two points on the outside edges are the same? No more or less metal is in contact with the ice?
Very good question. So these cuts are very, very tiny but the depth of the cut changes the angle of the edges and how aggressive that angle is. Compare the angle of the edges on a 1" vs. a 1/4" radius.
@@rinkthreads3353 ...Yeah, I think that makes a bit more sense? When the blade cuts into the ice, more or less of it will bite? Still so tiny, that I think the difference is mostly psychological? As you say, the quality of the ice makes so much difference I think it would cancel out any advantage you get from a millimetre of steel one way or the other 😊
@@philburkin2583 it actually makes a huge difference. If you want to feel it for yourself, try a sharpening at either end of the spectrum. You'll feel it.
I’m only 170, but I’m experimenting with 7/8” because I’m primarily a roller hockey player, and I’m used to sliding around with limited bite. I like it so far. Stopping feels much more natural and less choppy.
THE BEST SHARPENING EXPLANATION VID ON UA-cam!!!!
Glad you got some value out of it.
I've been skating/playing for over 20 years. This is by far the best explanation I've seen. I will pass this along to the kids/parents I coach. Thank you!! From Anchorage Alaska.
What an awesome compliment! Thank you! I'm so glad that this helped you.
P.S. I'm envious of your ODR season up there. I'm just praying for one solid month of good ice here... especially this year
40yrs here and first time I understand what I need :-). I know what I like, but I didn't know how to explain it.Great explanation..
100% this is top notch
I have been skating for over 50 years and sharpening skates for 35 plus years. You did an amazing job breaking it all down.
Thank you! Glad it was informative.
Jesus and the Mary Chain. I just witnessed a legit masterclass on skates and skate sharpening. Someone needs to submit this to UA-cam for their masterclass series.
I've never actually seen the amount of information compiled all in one place before. This was amazing.
Beautiful, articulate delivery of the information. The use of the dry erase board was genius as I'm a visual learner so this was perfect.
I'm still stunned at how incredibly well done this was. I knew about 5-10% of what you covered so there's a LOT I picked up in this video.
Such a well done video, edited perfectly. Awesome awesome job!!
Thank you so much for this comment, Crash! I'm glad to have been able to bring such value to you!
I have been sharpening skate for over 20 years and this is by far the best explanation I have found online. I will be using this video as part of my training. Great job.
Thank you so much for this stellar compliment, Jon. I'm so glad that you enjoyed it.
Very impressive! You know your stuff and you can explain it in terms that we all can understand. I have been working at rinks for many years, and its surprising how many people that work at rinks just dont understand the basics of skate sharpening. Good job!!
Why thank you, Mr. Shakey.
Bob and his crew at maximum edge are awesome people. He took time out of his busy day to explain the whole concept.
Total pros regarding skate blades.
I miss having them close, that's for sure! Best, most reliable skate sharpening I've found!
@@rinkthreads3353 I sent mine from a hundred k away
Agree with a lot of the folks here saying that this sharpening tutorial is among the very best on UA-cam.
Might I suggest just 1 additional step you can take to drive home (i.e. “clarify”) the radius of the hollow part of this video? At ~9:35 into the video you're spelling out exactly what RADIUS OF THE HOLLOW means. Our thought is that viewers might grasp the idea of the different hollow radii (or radiuses) if, on your chart/diagram, you physically draw the full circle of the arcs representing each of the individual hollows (e.g. 1” vs 3/4” vs 5/8” vs 1/2” vs 3/8”).
The only reason I’m suggesting this is that LOTS of folks see the depth of the hollow as equal to the radius #. Meaning, for example, a 5/8” sharpening would have a deeper hollow than a 1/2” sharpening because 5/8 is greater than (>) 1/2. By going just the one step further, in drawing the full circles of each radius cut in your diagram, folks will see exactly why a 5/8” radius cut produces a hollow arc smaller than (
The best thing I’ve watched on the internet today.
I appreciate this comment. I'm glad you got something out of it!
Exactly what I needed to know. I used the same pair of skates for 25 years with light use, recently started taking my own kids to skate, and I figured after all those years I really aught to have them sharpened. I couldn’t understand why the skates felt WAY more “slippery” after the brand new sharpening. And now I can shave ice to stop when I never could before - it would just pitch me forward. Now I get it. Thanks.
Glad to have been of help
Explained very well!
Thank you!
Excellent video on skate sharpening. About 25 years ago I took a course for ice arena management, and one part we learned about skate sharping. Your video brings back memories for me.
Thank you!
I haven’t played in 10 years and just got me some skates and forgot all about the sharpening sizes thanks man
You're more than welcome. Happy to help! Enjoy it out there.
New to hockey and got my skates sharpened for the first time... Really wish I watched this before I got them done. Super helpful vid :D
Luckily (or unluckily) skates always need a re-sharpening! Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed
A shallow hollow 1" or 7/8 allows for easier sideways sliding (hockey stop) deeper hollows contain more grip. Depends what your after
Thanks for all the effort you put
My pleasure!
Fantastic video. The best one on UA-cam regarding skate sharpening.
Wow, thanks! Glad you found it helpful
This video is fantastic. Explained so well. I always went with the vanilla cut and i always get that chatter and grindy stip sometimes. Plus im a bigger guy too. Definitely gonna go for a smaller sharpen next time!
So glad you found it helpful. It can be a complicated topic but it's so important to the game. Enjoy your new cut!
Thank you for a phenomenal video. Not only you know your stuff, you explain it in simple, straightforward, and logical terms, that are easy to understand for a newbie. Thank you!
You never truly understand a subject until you can teach it. Thank you for this comment
Superb explanation. I think I can talk to the sharpener with some knowledge. Way to go. You've earned a PhD in skate sharpening theory.
This was everything and more than what I was looking for. Thanks so much!
You're very welcome. Happy it helped. Thanks for commenting!
Just found this video. Possibly the best explanation I've heard. Great job!
Thanks Louis. Glad you got something out of it. It was fun to make.
You absolutely crushed this video. Thank you for the info!
Thanks, bud! Glad you got something out of it and thank you for leaving a little love ❣️
This video is absolutely fantastic!!! I think it's the best video about skate sharpening on UA-cam!!!!!
Wow, thanks! So glad that you enjoyed it!
you've made the best explanation video of the world. I'm absolute new to ice skating, but your explanation is THE BEST !!!
Wow, thanks! So happy to have helped!
Great simple to understand video. Thank you.
You're welcome, bud! Thanks for the comment!
Just wanna say this was explained very well, good flow to the video anyone with hard of hearing, I think, would also be able to understand this with the marker board.
Thank you. I'm glad you were able to get something out of it.
Fantastic video, thanks. Clearest explanation on sharpening I've seen.
You're very welcome, and thanks for the comment!
Excellent video.! Very informative and thorough very thorough
Thanks! Glad you found it useful!
Actually nobody took their time to explain as well as you did. Great video dude.
Glad it helped
Fantastic explanation. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great vid. Love to see one on profiling.
Thank you. What a fantastic info!
Thank you very much for this detailed explanation. 🙂👍
You're very welcome. Thanks for leaving a comment
This is the video I’ve been looking for. Great job!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks a lot!!!
Welcome!
setting up to sharpen, you explained clearly thanks a lot.
You're very welcome, Sam. Glad this was helpful for you
Excellent video. Thank you!
Also wouldn’t you have more stride power if your skates are deeper (less radius) since it will grip into the ice more for greater acceleration? Or am I misunderstanding stride power lol
Thank you! And I see where your line of thinking is. You might get more push off power, but the deeper edges on the other skate cause more friction as you get pushed forward so you actually end up with less power over all.
Exactly what i need well done 🎉
I'm glad you found this helpful!
Good job
Thanks!
Learned so much. Thanks!
I'm so glad! That's the reason why I made it!
Awesome video 👍👍
Both my daughters play hockey seven and nine-year-old. We just purchased Sparx sharpener because we also purchased synthetic ice. 5/8 is what’s recommended for synthetic ice. Can I sharpen the skates before every game it only cost a dollar per sharpen if you look at it that way with the machine?
Thanks 🙏
Sounds like you've got a sweet setup! Can I come over? Lol. Let me know how you like the Sparx. It's been on my list for a while
@@rinkthreads3353 If you live close to Tampa absolutely it would’ve been a great you could’ve helped my daughters with some stick and puck but I will definitely keep you informed of the new Sparx I should get it next Wednesday.
Thanks 🙏
@@eddiearriaga3800 I'm all the way up in Windsor, ON. That would be awesome though. I'm dying to get on skates
Thank you
Thanks for sharing!
You're very welcome. Thanks for commenting.
that was a really good video, thank you!
Glad it helped!
i was at 3/4 for the first time. bitting on the ice for my edges. but i just usually sharpened to the standard" 5/8. would i be able to stop better if im on 5/8th? and doing turns
I missed info about what kind of steels used to make the blades.. Hardness, and so on.
The blades of ice skates are made of tempered steel:
"Blades are generally made of tempered steel and coated with a high-quality chrome. Some blade manufacturers may add titanium to the metal."
More info can be found here: www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Ice-Skates.html
Great information. Thanks. Do new skates need sharpen before use? I am very new at skating. Been renting skates. Why do rental skates hurt like hell ?
Very good questions! I'm glad you left a comment asking them.
YES! New skates absolutely need to be sharpened before use. And rental skates hurt so badly because they've been broken in by many feet. When you go to buy skates, check out my video about baking them. Baking your skates lets you heat the plastic parts of the boot so that you can mould them to your feet specifically. Also be sure that when you're buying them, you have the sales associate measure your feet for size and step profile. Different models of skates are meant for different types of feet (flat footed, high arches, etc.). If you're in Canada, I highly recommend SportCheck. Welcome to the wonderful world of steel and ice. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks :)
Welcome!
So i weigh 155 ish, 5’10 what should I get? Like a 5/8”? And I want to be able to hockey stop without a ton of pressure on my stopping foot and i want to stop smoothly, a response would be really helpful
Hey Arcane,
So it's going to depend on a lot of different factors like how warm the ice is and your skating style but I'd suggest that you start at a 1/2" and see how you like that. If you're finding it's not sharp enough, move up the scale. If it's not smooth enough, move down. This is all also about personal preference some heavier people still like a lot of bit.
But in general, I'd recommend for most folks of your size to start at 1/2"
I already use 1/2” but it’s not the best for me so I think I’m gonna give 5/8 a shot and see how I like it
@@arcanenexus7833 that would be my next suggestion. Just be aware you'll have to sharpen a little more frequently with a deeper hollow
Understood, I thought a 5/8 was a more shallow kind of sharpen? You said deeper or am I just misreading this haha
@@arcanenexus7833 sorry, I was really tired lol. I meant 3/8"
Man this video was really helpful!!!
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful
Great video!
Thank you!
Great video. Loved it.
Thanks, Brad! Glad you enjoyed it!
Quality video!!
Thank you! I'm always happy when someone gets something out of these
Thank you! A non skater but trying to learn about skates for granddaughters. You are a natural educator, that is a gift.
John in Mn
I appreciate that! This is such a wonderful complument! And way to go grandparent!!!
Thank you so much for this 🙏🏻
Any time!
My son is a good skater but he finds he has heavy legs, he’s only 12 & not a big kid…he has good agility…should I try 5/8 with him
That would depend what he's currently skating on. If he's finding his feet drag, he needs more bite. Next time you're sharpening his skates, ask the person sharpening what their house cut is. Then try one to the right of the scale from that (if they're sharpening at 5/8", try 1/2"). If he's a lighter skater, then he needs more bite to get a good dig into the ice and prevent the drag of his blades. Keep playing with the sharpening until he finds something that feels right.
For fucks sake you're articulate. Fantastic explination, take this talent of yours and find a way to make money with it my dude. You've got a bright future ahead of you.
Thanks bud, I'll do my best!
can somebody tell me why i cant slide at the side while i have a 3/4 sharpening
If you mean shuffle (push off with one skate and slide the other as you're moving sideways with your skates forward) it's because you probably can't get enough bite from the inside edge of your pushing foot. I'd try moving up to a 5/8 sharpening and see how that goes. To move laterally, you need to be able to get a good dig and push off your pushing foot.
you mixed imperial with metric system, inch with mm so is very confusing. the rest is logic and useful now I know what I need but If I go to my sharpen shop in Europe I need metric units mm
Hi there, here in North America, the Radius is always referred to in inches and the flat bottom v's use of mm is standardized in the numbering system. I agree the mixed use of units can be rough.
Bauer has a chart for the radius of the hollow with BOTH measurements found here cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0606/2758/3214/files/sharpening-hollows-FINAL_600x600.png?v=1665522693
Hope that helps!
I'm about 6' 260 lbs, my skates are sharpened at 3/4 and my foot keep slipping, should I get an 5/8 or 1/2 hollow??
I would go with a 1/2" for now, and see how you feel. Stil slipping? try a 5/8". Also keep in mind, ice tends to change temperature as outside gets warmer. So your prefered hollow might change with the seasons.
I know this is the perceived wisdom but I still struggle to understand it? Surely, no matter how deep the cut is, the two points on the outside edges are the same? No more or less metal is in contact with the ice?
Very good question. So these cuts are very, very tiny but the depth of the cut changes the angle of the edges and how aggressive that angle is. Compare the angle of the edges on a 1" vs. a 1/4" radius.
@@rinkthreads3353 ...Yeah, I think that makes a bit more sense? When the blade cuts into the ice, more or less of it will bite? Still so tiny, that I think the difference is mostly psychological? As you say, the quality of the ice makes so much difference I think it would cancel out any advantage you get from a millimetre of steel one way or the other 😊
@@philburkin2583 it actually makes a huge difference. If you want to feel it for yourself, try a sharpening at either end of the spectrum. You'll feel it.
great video! very helpful
Glad you found it helpful!!
I am 280, definitely going with 1”
Let me know how that works for you!
I’m only 170, but I’m experimenting with 7/8” because I’m primarily a roller hockey player, and I’m used to sliding around with limited bite. I like it so far. Stopping feels much more natural and less choppy.
i have 1/2 they are so good!
I
Actually nobody took their time to explain as well as you did. Great video dude.
Glad you liked it!
Amazing video!
You are so kind! Thank you!