How often should skates be sharpened?

[rachael7 1]

Quick question for Chadd and the others that get a sharpening after every 4 skates. About how long on average does a set of steel last when you're getting them sharpened that regularly?

Depends on who is doing the sharpening, of course. Since you're doing it regularly, you really don't need to take off as much each time; so if you have a sharpener with a light hand, the steel last plenty long. I do mine myself, so I really just take a very slight shave every 6-8 hours or so. But if you're having them done by a heavy-handed random sharpener guy that likes to throw giant showers of sparks, yeah you could burn through your steel sooner than you'd like.

[17D1998 1]

Before I get my t'blades I used to have my skates sharpened every two-three games

[dayroc 0]

Depends on which month, which way the wind is blowing, and how i'm performing. I get periods where i like it dull and i get times where i like it super sharp.

Does not really matter to me, i guess i could last a few months before getting it sharpened? and when i do get it sharpened it feels just as great?....

[Fisticuffs 0]

When I was playing high school hockey I would get them done before every game, and after every other practice.

Playing beer league and reffing they get a fresh edge about every 2 weeks (so usually after 3 games playing, and maybe 6 reffing).

[Theo 1]

I feel the bottom with my nails to see if there are any nicks and pretty much sharpen them as needed- which is quite frequently. Usually every 2 weeks or 2 games. If the nicks are minor, I go with a stone and finish with a miracle stone

[Chadd 916]

Quick question for Chadd and the others that get a sharpening after every 4 skates. About how long on average does a set of steel last when you're getting them sharpened that regularly?

The biggest factor is the amount of damage you do to your blades. Rarely do I need more than half a dozen passes on my skates to put an edge on them and get past any nicks in the steel. I will have no problem getting another couple years out of mine.

[phonak 0]

I'm on the ice 3-4 times a week, skate on 100/75, and sharpen my skates every 2 weeks usually.

[a komets fan 0]

About 6-8 hours of skating. I have 3 sets of steel so I only have to go about every 4-6 months. Since I drive about an hour to get FBV it makes it a lot easier.

I think I read something about about this FBV (Flat Blade V or something?). This pro shop in Cincinnati had an article on this new method of skate sharpening and he said he could do it. It was more expensive, thought about giving it a try. Can you explain it? I searched for it, but no avail...

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I think I read something about about this FBV (Flat Blade V or something?). This pro shop in Cincinnati had an article on this new method of skate sharpening and he said he could do it. It was more expensive, thought about giving it a try. Can you explain it? I searched for it, but no avail...

Google?

[RichardsIsTheMan 0]

Back when I was on the ice 5 times a week, a real problem I had was sharpening my skates. For whatever reason I would only get them sharpened about 3 times per season and it never seemed to affect me. I often wonder if it would have impacted my skating if I took the time to sharpen them more often.

[HFA#68 0]

I get a 5/8 sharpen and about every 10 hours of skating.

[Hockeydog 8]

Pitch 3 at 3/4". If I am on the ice 2x per week about 3 times per year, if I am skating more often 4 times per year, unless I ding an edge and have to fix it. I think I read that Robby Glantz only does his once or twice a year, and that is skating every day at his camps, etc.

[Secti0n31 0]

I used to get 1" now I get 3/4. For now it is exactly what I need to get enough slide to stop. The more I adjust to ice after my (several year) break, the more I'm tempted to get 5/8.

My last sharpening was the same day I bought my X15's and that was 3/4" in early october, and they're actually a little better to skate on now than they were then. My edges won't start to go for another few weeks or 10-15 ice hours.

[zaytser 0]

Was using the FBV sharpening but most of the shops didn't do a very good job of it. because it is a free hand style type of machine. Quite often I would have one edge shorter than the other. So I went back to the old style sharpening with a deep hollow, where the skate boot is clamped into place and the stone has its own arm and never moves off of center on the machine. However, my skates feel dull even after the first time skating on a fresh sharpening. My skates can never feel too sharp.

[mug25 2]

Every 4-5 skates.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I think I read something about about this FBV (Flat Blade V or something?). This pro shop in Cincinnati had an article on this new method of skate sharpening and he said he could do it. It was more expensive, thought about giving it a try. Can you explain it? I searched for it, but no avail...

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/Index.php?/topic/42307-blackstone-flat-bottom-v-thread/page__view__findpost__p__717916__hl__blackstone__fromsearch__1

[5 Minute Major 1]

I tried to search for this but didn't find anything.

When I was using my S17's I would get them sharpened after my 3rd or 4th skate. I was planning to do the same with my x7.0's just to be safe but the pro shop was closed before open hockey last night. I actually didn't need to because my blades still had great edges on them. What is the average number of games/skates most of you go before you get your skates sharpened?

[Ovie8 0]

I tried to search for this but didn't find anything.

When I was using my S17's I would get them sharpened after my 3rd or 4th skate. I was planning to do the same with my x7.0's just to be safe but the pro shop was closed before open hockey last night. I actually didn't need to because my blades still had great edges on them. What is the average number of games/skates most of you go before you get your skates sharpened?

A good rule of thumb would be to give it 5 to 8 hours of playing time.

[5 Minute Major 1]

Ok, thanks for the info.

[Half 2]

My genius way of when to sharpen is if I can't remember the last time I had them sharpened.

[Scoobersti 0]

I usually just sharpen my skates if it feels like it needs some sharpening. I think on average its about once a month or 1.5 months or so. I only play 1 or 2 times a week these days. I get lots of ice time because we usually only have 4 D-men, so I play about half of the game.

[bigdmac 12]

Get them sharpened when you think they need to be done. It's all your personal preference, I know some guys that like to get them sharpened after 2-3 times on the ice, and I know some guys who go the entire year on 1 or 2 sharpenings.

[Donald Stearns 1]

About every 4 times I play, unless I have some skate to skate contact.

[Beflar 53]

Quick question kinda on the same topic.

Do you notice that your edges get better as the ice goes from smooth to rough? Seems like when the ice gets cleaned I will notice dull edges more.

[trtaylor 3]

I hone the edges of my runners after every skate, using either a Miraclestone or a Syderco oreo ceramic stone. Then I feel the edges for sharpness by dragging the meaty part of my palm (the fleshy pad below the pinkie) across each edge. Over time I have developed a reasonably good feel for when it is time to sharpen my edges. If anything, I should probably get them sharpened a skate or two before I have been. I'm still learning.

Not saying my way is the right way or the best way. Just it seems to work for me. Keeping track of your edge condition prior to each skate should help you determine when it's time to sharpen.