beanhead

Thanks for the info. The companies selling grinding wheels do not have very good descriptions of what each one is good for.

I have only used pink 80 grit and 8MXRUBY grinding wheels. I can get a better finish with an 80 grit, even though it takes slightly longer to sharpen than the 8MXRUBY. I have nothing else to compare them to. Is there a reason to try other grinding wheels? Which wheel do you prefer? Also, Blademaster describes their 80 grit pink wheel as being good for recreational figure skates and goalie skates. If it is good for those two, why would it not be good for hockey skates?

Indeed it is. Especially when your hand is inside a bacteria-breeding hockey glove. Do your best to keep it clean. Use Povidone-Iodine solution to kill MRSA and other bacteria.

I think the weight of the padding makes a big difference in the way I skate. I have hardly played any hockey in the past couple of years. 99% of my skating is coaching or public skate. When coaching I have a helmet, gloves, and thin referee shin guards. Public skate sessions have none of that. In the handful of times I played open hockey in the last couple of years, I felt incredibly unbalanced. I had a hard time adjusting to the center of gravity change. When I pick up my equipment bag, it is pretty heavy. I think skating around only a couple times a year carrying all that extra weight is difficult to adjust to.

Agreed. I would ask for a 5/8" and maybe even go to a 3/4" radius of hollow on your next skate sharpening. It will be easier to "shave the ice" with the shallower hollow and make learning to stop easier. Since you are new to skating, I don't expect you to have to adjust to the shallow hollow like someone who has been skating on deep hollows their entire lives. I am a bit biased though. I much prefer shallow hollows and find no advantage whatsoever in deep hollows. I think it might help you learn to feel your edges better also. Take my opinion for what is it worth though. I also agree with the suggestion to use pads while skating. You are going to fall. No way to avoid it. You will be more comfortable trying new things knowing you have a bit of protection when you fall.

I had the same issue with my Step runners. Way too much steel in the heels. I had to get the heels shaved down to make comfortable heel turns.

I am 140lbs and use a 7/8" hollow. I feel I am one of the very few around here with a hollow that shallow as the guys who sharpen them always double check what I say. They always say "you mean 3/8"? I find deeper hollows fatiguing and my knees get sore.