With freshly sharpened skates, you get better grip on the ice, allowing you to accelerate and change direction much faster. The sharpening is adjusted according to the player’s preferences, for example in terms of sharpness, as well as body weight. An adult player does not need as deep a hollow in the blade to achieve the same grip as a child. The simple reason is that an adult applies more weight and pressure to the ice.
How skates are sharpened
It is the blade – the steel underneath the skate – that is sharpened. This requires a machine that secures the skate to keep it stable during the sharpening process. Therefore, skates should be sharpened by a knowledgeable person who knows how to do it properly and has access to a sharpening machine. There are several stores, for example our shops in Jönköping and Halmstad, where you can leave your skates for sharpening for a fee. This service is also often provided by the hockey club you play for.
Blade profile and profiling
How skates should be sharpened depends largely on playing style and personal preference. Profiling is often discussed in this context. This type of sharpening means that the blade is not completely straight at any point and that the contact surface – the part of the blade that touches the ice – remains the same whether you lean forward or backward. There are also special blade profiles where the contact surface changes depending on how you position yourself on the skates. For children, a standard profile is usually sufficient, but over time an experienced player may find a specific profile that best suits their skating and playing style.
How often should you sharpen your skates?
How often you should sharpen your skates mainly depends on how often you play hockey, how important freshly sharpened skates are to you, and how well you take care of them off the ice. In junior and youth hockey, it is common to sharpen skates once a week, usually before a game. Off the ice, you should always use skate guards to protect the blade from dirt and other elements that can damage the edge and profile. You can also get a sharpening stone – either a fine stone to give the blade a final smooth touch after sharpening, or a V-shaped stone designed to temporarily restore the edges during games and practice.