close up of a hockey player's Mach skates

Hockey Skate Sharpening: Precision for Peak Performance

Written by: Katie Lakusta

November 22, 2023

Time to read 10 min

Skating is one of, if not the top skill to have in hockey. Along those lines, if your skates aren’t up to par, then that could greatly hinder your performance on the ice— it’s important to keep them maintained and sharpened, so they can last and help you play at your best. It’s easy to go to the store and ask for a professional to sharpen your skates, but are you getting the right hollow? Do your skates have the right profile for your skating techniques? And are you doing everything you possibly can to keep your skates ready for your next ice time?

In this comprehensive guide, we offer a starting point you can take for skate sharpening, profiling, why you do it, and what you can do to take good care of your skate blades.

Make sure to check out our Knowledge Centre and specific pages on Skate Sharpening and Profiling for more information on these topics!

Why is sharpening your skates necessary?

Skate sharpening is an integral aspect of hockey equipment maintenance, often likened to the importance of keeping a car's tires in good condition. Just as a well-maintained car handles better on the road, properly sharpened skates can significantly impact a player's performance on the ice.

Skate blades are designed with a specific profile and hollow that interact with the ice surface. When these edges become dull or uneven, players experience reduced grip, resulting in less efficient strides and compromised stability. It also helps keep the blades consistent after wear; uneven edges or inconsistent sharpness between skates can lead to imbalances, impacting a player's ability to execute plays accurately.

Playing with dull skates can also be unsafe; dull skates can lead to inefficient movements, causing players to compensate with unnatural motions that may strain muscles or joints. Sharp skates promote smooth, natural movements, reducing the risk of overexertion and potential injuries. Similarly, ruts in the blade can make it easier to catch an edge and lose balance.

When do you need to sharpen your skates?

The answer to this question is highly dependent on multiple factors, including your playing style, level of play, and personal preference. Many players find it hard to focus on their game and skating if their skates haven’t been sharpened that week; others are content with going months without sharpening. It’s important that you recognize these parts of your game when deciding when to get your skates sharpened.

As a general recommendation, many players sharpen their skates every 10-15 hours of ice time. However, this is just a guideline, and you should adjust based on your own preferences. If you play or get used to your skates well enough, you’ll start to notice when skating becomes more difficult, or if they’re “missing an edge.”

Here are some guidelines to consider:

Usage Frequency - How often are you on the ice? You probably don’t need to get your skates sharpened as often if you’re only on the ice 1-2 times a week, compared to someone who plays 5-6 times per week.
Playing Surface - What is the quality of the ice you’re skating on? Rough, abrasive, or inconsistent ice surfaces can wear down blades faster, necessitating more frequent sharpening.
Skating Style - Are you an aggressive skater (quick turns, stops/starts often), or are you a more passive, power skater (longer, more deliberate skating, glider)? Aggressive skaters may need more regular sharpenings compared to more conservative skaters.
Skill Level - Novice skaters won’t need to sharpen their skates as often as more advanced skaters.
Blade Wear - You can also physically check your skate runners for wear— If you notice nicks, chips, or significant dulling, it's time to sharpen them. Additionally, if you find it harder to make clean cuts or turns on the ice, it's a sign that your skates may need sharpening.

Remember, consistent maintenance of your skates will contribute to better performance on the ice.

Skate Sharpening Terminology

Understanding Hollows

The hollow, also known as Radius of Hollow (ROH), refers to the concave groove that is cut into the skate blade during the sharpening process. This groove creates two edges that come into contact with the ice. Choosing the right skate hollow is a matter of personal preference and playing style, and it can significantly impact your experience on the ice.

The skate hollow is measured in inches or millimetres, indicating the depth of the groove cut into the blade. Common hollow measurements range from 3/8" to 1". A smaller number represents a deeper hollow, creating sharper edges (more ”bite”), while a larger number indicates a shallower hollow, resulting in a wider, flatter surface (more “glide”).

Deeper Hollows (3/8” onward)	Pros: Greater bite into the ice, increased maneuverability and agility. Cons: Increased friction may lead to more drag, requiring more effort on the stride; may also need to stride more often due to less glide. Preferred by aggressive forwards who need to transition more quickly. May be better for skaters who need extra help to bite into the ice.
“Regular” Hollow (1/2")	Great starting point for players who are just starting or aren’t sure what hollow works best for them; a majority of players continue to stick with a 1/2” hollow.
Shallower Hollows (5/8" - 1")	Pros: Reduced friction for a smoother glide, allowing for increased speed on a single stride. Cons: Less bite on the ice, potentially impacting sharp turns and quick stops. Preferred by defensemen for more sustained power on the stride. May be better for skaters who tend to bite too much into the ice with their skating style.

Glide vs Bite

Although people may describe certain cuts as “sharp” or “dull,” they are really describing the difference between “glide” and “bite.”

This once again all comes down to personal preference; some players feel more secure when they can feel more of their skates on the turn (greater bite), whereas some may prefer feeling less friction on the stride (greater glide).

Finding the right skate hollow is often a process of trial and error. Players are encouraged to experiment with different hollows to determine which one complements their playing style. It's advisable to start with a moderate hollow, such as 1/2" (standard “regular” sharpening at most skate shops), and make adjustments based on personal preference and on-ice performance.

Profiling

Not a lot of people go through the extra step of getting their skates profiled— and understandably so. Everyone for the most part knows or can guess what skate sharpening is, but what does profiling mean? Tackling this topic can be pretty intimidating, so most players don’t bother. However, profiling can really be the deal breaker for skating performance. All skates come with their manufacturer’s standard profile, but everyone will have a profile that fits them and their skating style best. Everyone at The Hockey Shop highly encourages everyone to get their skates profiled and educate themselves on the process.

Skate profiling is an advanced aspect of skate maintenance that goes beyond traditional sharpening. While sharpening focuses on the edges of the blade, profiling addresses the overall shape and curvature of the blade's profile. This nuanced process plays a pivotal role in tailoring your skates to match your unique skating style and maximize on-ice performance.

This additional step is particularly beneficial for addressing specific skating imbalances or discomfort. For example, players experiencing excessive pressure on the toes or heels can benefit from profiling adjustments that redistribute the weight distribution across the blade.

Profiling often goes hand in hand with skate sharpening. Coordinating both processes allows players to achieve a harmonious balance between the edges and overall blade profile, resulting in a personalized skate setup that aligns perfectly with their on-ice objectives.

Although it isn’t really as complicated as it may seem, there is still quite a bit of supplementary info to take note of if you’re looking for that perfect profile— see our page on Custom Profiling for more information on this topic!

Getting Your Skates Sharpened

Professional Skate Sharpening

Professional skate sharpening is often considered an art. Skilled technicians bring years of experience and a keen eye to manually sharpen your skates. They know how the machines work, how your skates need to look and feel, and can even tailor the process to your playing style, position, and even the specific condition of the ice you'll be facing.

On that note, a seasoned professional will also be able to work with you to find the right sharpening and profile you need for your game if you know you need to try something new but aren’t exactly sure where to start. One of the advantages of professional sharpening is the hands-on assessment of your skates. Technicians can identify issues such as uneven wear, nicks, or other abnormalities that may impact your performance. This personalized attention ensures a holistic approach to skate maintenance.

Visiting a professional sharpener also provides an opportunity for players to learn more about their skates overall. Professionals can offer advice on skate care, blade selection, and even on-ice techniques, fostering a more informed and engaged relationship between players and their equipment.

Automated Sharpening

Automated skate-sharpening machines excel in providing consistent results. The precision of the machine ensures that each pass produces the same level of sharpness, eliminating variations that may arise in manual sharpening.

For players or teams with busy schedules—and even some professionals who need to get through a lot of skate sharpenings in a single day—automated machines offer a time-saving solution. These machines can complete the sharpening process relatively quickly, allowing players to maintain their skates without the need to schedule appointments or wait for services.

If you have access to one, either one you bought and have at home, or one your hockey team purchased, most automated machines also come equipped with user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users of all skill levels. The simplicity of these machines allows users to sharpen their skates with minimal training.

At The Hockey Shop, we combine both the efficiency of an automated sharpening machine with having professionals double-check and finetune your skates. This way, our team can get through more sharpenings while keeping the quality of those sharpenings at the highest they can be.

close-up of a Mach skate heel on the ice

At the Rink: Fixing and Maintaining Skates in a Pinch

You might be completely on top of maintaining your skates, but sometimes, accidents happen out of your control. In cases like these, it’s good to have a plan and additional equipment to help fix your skates in a pinch. It’s suggested that you keep an emergency skate maintenance kit in your bag, whether you buy one premade or prep one yourself. It should include the following items:

Small honing stone or diamond sharpener— Perfect for addressing minor nicks and dull spots on the blade. A few passes with a honing stone or diamond sharpener can quickly restore some sharpness. Note that honing stone fixes are not good substitutes for skate sharpening. Also note the honing stone you are using is compatible with your skate blade (blacksteel will require a rubber honing stone, for example).
Towel or cloth— Keep a clean, dry cloth to wipe down your skates after maintenance and skate use.
Skate guards— This one might be self-explanatory for most people, but sadly, not everyone invests in skate guards. Skate guards are crucial for protecting your edges in transit and storage, and can also protect your blades if you’re required to walk over tougher surfaces with them on (ex. concrete, hard plastic). If you don’t have skate guards on-hand, you can substitute with wool socks; however, note that walking with wool socks on your blades is a tripping hazard and should not be attempted.
Spare parts— Consider having a spare set of laces, screws, skate runners and other small parts in your bag. These can be lifesavers if something unexpectedly breaks. Although rare for runners to break, when they do, it can become extremely difficult to keep your edges while skating if you don’t have a replacement.

Emergency Techniques

Like you’re doing now by reading this article, make sure to familiarize yourself with basic skate maintenance techniques. Knowing how to make small adjustments can save you from performance hiccups during crucial moments on the ice. For the most part, the rink will have a shop on-site with spare parts and professionals who can work on your skates if you don’t have a lot of time. However, it’s still important to know as much as you can, just in case anything happens mid-game.

Using a honing stone— In a pinch, a small honing stone can be used to touch up the edges of your skates. Hold the stone at a slight angle to the blade and make light, even strokes.
Stone smoothing— If you encounter a rough spot on the ice or accidentally nick your blade, use a skate stone to smooth out any imperfections.
Manual Blade Alignment— If you notice your skates pulling to one side, gently adjust the alignment by applying pressure to the appropriate side while making short glides. This can help temporarily correct any imbalance.

Check out our pages on Skate Sharpening and Profiling to learn more about the process, so you can have a better idea of what to do when emergencies happen!

hockey player putting their AS-V hockey skates on

close-up of Matrix skates worn on the ice

Key Takeaways for Skate sharpening

Properly sharpened skates significantly impact a player's performance on the ice, offering enhanced grip, stability, and maneuverability. Regular skate sharpening ensures consistent blade performance, preventing imbalances that can affect gameplay, and dull skates may not only compromise performance, but they can also lead to unsafe movements, increasing the risk of injury. Sharp skates promote more natural movements.

Thus, it’s important that you keep up with your skate maintenance, understand how the processes work, and keep supplementary tools in your bag just in case. This article was a quick outline of sharpening techniques and equipment to have on hand in a pinch. Understanding the nuances of skate sharpening, including hollow preferences and profiling, empowers players to make informed decisions about their equipment. Whether opting for professional expertise or automated precision, consistent maintenance is key to unlocking optimal performance on the ice.