hollow in order

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Monday would be best - around 1-2pm. I work at 3 so I will be going in early for you. Aren't I nice?

[driz86 0]

Rochester, MI

how do you love the weather now, coming from Orlando? haha

[Hobbes_86 0]

Your too nice! I'll be there.

[chippa13 1844]

And of course whether you've been skating with 'training wheel" 3/8" or 7/16 hollows.

Some guys might just prefer making easier quick cuts and digging in on quick starts. I've known a couple guys who played D1 who used hollows you could slice cheese with. It's all in what you like.

[jimmy 194]

And of course whether you've been skating with 'training wheel" 3/8" or 7/16 hollows.

Some guys might just prefer making easier quick cuts and digging in on quick starts. I've known a couple guys who played D1 who used hollows you could slice cheese with. It's all in what you like.

True, preference is a large part of it, however lots of skaters can be weaned off deep hollows and overall performance will improve. In years past, most NHL'rs used 3/8. That has changed dramatically in the past decade or so. Shallower hollows are more common now. Again, if you learned to skate on deep cuts, it's more difficult to adapt later. It takes lots of time and slight changes. Some can never adapt, other do in a day. There are so many variables.

[chippa13 1844]

And of course whether you've been skating with 'training wheel" 3/8" or 7/16 hollows.

Some guys might just prefer making easier quick cuts and digging in on quick starts. I've known a couple guys who played D1 who used hollows you could slice cheese with. It's all in what you like.

True, preference is a large part of it, however lots of skaters can be weaned off deep hollows and overall performance will improve. In years past, most NHL'rs used 3/8. That has changed dramatically in the past decade or so. Shallower hollows are more common now. Again, if you learned to skate on deep cuts, it's more difficult to adapt later. It takes lots of time and slight changes. Some can never adapt, other do in a day. There are so many variables.

One reason for the changes at the NHL level is the increased quality of ice. There is less of a variation from arena to arena as there used to be. If you tried playing shallow at the old Garden and next tried to play the same hollow in Edmonton you'd be sliding all over the place.

[jimmy 194]

One reason for the changes at the NHL level is the increased quality of ice. There is less of a variation from arena to arena as there used to be. If you tried playing shallow at the old Garden and next tried to play the same hollow in Edmonton you'd be sliding all over the place.

Ice temp has a lot to do with what hollow one chooses, but... Ice getting better (harder) would be a reason to go deeper, not shallower. The NHL trend has been toward shallower hollows not the reverse.

[chippa13 1844]

One reason for the changes at the NHL level is the increased quality of ice.  There is less of a variation from arena to arena as there used to be.  If you tried playing shallow at the old Garden and next tried to play the same hollow in Edmonton you'd be sliding all over the place.

Ice temp has a lot to do with what hollow one chooses, but... Ice getting better (harder) would be a reason to go deeper, not shallower. The NHL trend has been toward shallower hollows not the reverse.

The key to my point was quality and consistency. That allows someone to make a switch without worrying about varying ice surfaces.

[jimmy 194]

One reason for the changes at the NHL level is the increased quality of ice.  There is less of a variation from arena to arena as there used to be.  If you tried playing shallow at the old Garden and next tried to play the same hollow in Edmonton you'd be sliding all over the place.

Ice temp has a lot to do with what hollow one chooses, but... Ice getting better (harder) would be a reason to go deeper, not shallower. The NHL trend has been toward shallower hollows not the reverse.

The key to my point was quality and consistency. That allows someone to make a switch without worrying about varying ice surfaces.

I absolutely agree with you there. BTW, NHL equipment managers still adjust hollows after the morning skate at all away games. Parity is just not there yet between pro arenas around the country.

[davidmac 0]

Why is the ice in Edmonton so much better? It is mentioned everytime the Bruins go to Edmonton. Brick commented last week that it seems like it's always perfect, even between periods it feels like brand new ice.

[hitz14 0]

ya i remember that, all they were saying during the game was how nice the ice is there

[Riggo 0]

One reason for the changes at the NHL level is the increased quality of ice.  There is less of a variation from arena to arena as there used to be.  If you tried playing shallow at the old Garden and next tried to play the same hollow in Edmonton you'd be sliding all over the place.

Ice temp has a lot to do with what hollow one chooses, but... Ice getting better (harder) would be a reason to go deeper, not shallower. The NHL trend has been toward shallower hollows not the reverse.

Jimmy:

This is an interesting point of discussion with regard to ice temps. I've actually had some pretty knowledgeable people give me the opposite advice. For soft ice, they recommend a deeper hollow so you can get through the layer of slush and to the ice. Otherwise, you are pushing off the slush. For hard ice, you really don't need to go deeper as all you are doing is sacrificing speed.

[jimmy 194]

It's pure physics. On soft ice the edges sink in more, kind of like walking in soft sand on the beach. The more you sink in the more drag. Drag slows you down. No way you can go faster with more drag. On hard ice, the edges do not dig in as much, which means less drag. Less drag equals more speed. Kind of like walking in the hard sand on the beach. Piece of cake compared to soft sand.

Every summer when the ice around here gets soft, I shallow out hundreds of hollows to compensate. Anyone who has skated on summer ice KNOWS their regular sharpening slows them down. This is not even debatable. Your "knowledgeable" people should do some tests to "prove" their theory.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Why is the ice in Edmonton so much better? It is mentioned everytime the Bruins go to Edmonton. Brick commented last week that it seems like it's always perfect, even between periods it feels like brand new ice.

Cold temperatures and not a whole lot of changeover.

The reason why MSG ice is so bad is because there are always events there.

Jimmy's right on the ice condition/hollow.

[davidmac 0]

Good call, never thought about the changeovers, damn Basketball...

[Miike 1]

May sound like a stupid question, but these different hollows... Whats the different between each one? Whats the difference if i get a 5/8 or a 1/2 etc..?

JR- Im getting new solid steel for my ls2's, If i was to send them to you could you sharpen em?

[sogaduch 0]

growing up i was on 1/4 somtimes 3/8 without my knowledge, when i got older i went to 7/16th then i went to half. then during a years time i went from 1/2 to 5/8-7/8-1' and i finally rested in 1 1/8 that was also when i was in shape but then after going away for a month im back to 5/8's but ive been going to the gym so i should be back at an 1' fairly soon but man it felt so good being on 1 1/8 though

[#28 0]

I have always used 3/8 because that is what my lhs normally sharpens at. Today I asked for a 1/2. In my game tonight it felt really good. I didn't feel as much drag when making hard turns. It felt strange at first but by the 3rd period I started getting used to the shallower hollow.

[hitz14 0]

quick question, what hollow would be reconmended for a 170 defenseman?

[#28 0]

quick question, what hollow would be reconmended for a 170 defenseman?

1/2 would be a good starting point. It isn't too deep or too shallow. Most shops sharpen at 3/8 or 1/2 in my area.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

May sound like a stupid question, but these different hollows... Whats the different between each one? Whats the difference if i get a 5/8 or a 1/2 etc..?

JR- Im getting new solid steel for my ls2's, If i was to send them to you could you sharpen em?

Sure...

[LucasChambers12 0]

Mom just brought my skates back from getting sharpened..instead of the regular 3/8" they did a 1/4" is this going to be hard to get used to , and what can i expect?

[jimmy 194]

What idiot sharpener did 1/4! That's a suicide cut. Get ready for injury. Suggest you shallow it out.

[thunderbirds_are_go 0]

I get guys that insist on a 1/4" cut, and complain when I try to back them down toward a 3/8". That said I'd never skate on it - I had enough trouble when I tried a 3/8"! With the deeper cut expect to stop rather suddenly (which is the most likely cause of injury!) and to get tons of grip on corners no matter how badly you set your edges. Also, you'll sink into the ice more, meaning that you won't glide as well and will likely find manoeuvering at low speeds difficult.

[jimmy 194]

I get guys that insist on a 1/4" cut, and complain when I try to back them down toward a 3/8". That said I'd never skate on it - I had enough trouble when I tried a 3/8"! With the deeper cut expect to stop rather suddenly (which is the most likely cause of injury!) and to get tons of grip on corners no matter how badly you set your edges. Also, you'll sink into the ice more, meaning that you won't glide as well and will likely find manoeuvering at low speeds difficult.

Amen. Not to mention, the skates controlling you, rather than you controlling them.

I refuse to sharpen any deeper than 5/16 and do my best to talk folks away from that. Deep hollows are "crutches", for folks who havent learned to use their edges. :)