How often should skates be sharpened?

[AIREAYE 248]

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.

That's cause the water layer hasn't frozen yet, thus making the ice surface softer...right?

[HOPE 0]

i do mine every game but yeah i changed my blade twice lol

[Haggerty 144]

Try to sharpen them before you get nicks so the blades will last longer, i hear every 4-6 hours are ideal

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

To the OP - there were only 5 additional topics on how often you should sharpen your skates.

Topics are now merged.

[5 Minute Major 1]

oh wow! sorry, I didn't find this topic earlier. I really did do a search for it.

[JJStripes 1]

First of all, if you don’t like how your skates feel when you first get them sharpened then you should change the way they are sharpened so that they start out just right. In most cases I think people in that boat are getting their skates done at the shop default ½ inch. If that’s you, then next time ask for 5/8. I read some suggestions of going to ¾ inch earlier in this thread. I would advise against that as ¾ is a long way from what you are currently using.

To address the original question, I suggest a maximum of 15 hours between sharpenings, but you won’t make it that long unless you are really lucky. Most of the time, you will have to get them done to fix nicks long before that. I suggest you be very careful with your steel when you walk to the ice, and when you air your skates out to prevent getting nicks. Don’t step on metal drains or put you skates in a place where they might fall on a floor that would damage the steel. When I say 15 hours, I’m mostly talking to people who skate multiple times a week. If you skate once a week then you should probably get them done once month. I guess I’m going to go with the oil change approach and recommend 1 month or 15 hours, whichever comes first.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

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Thank you.

[Chadd 916]

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

That could mean three times between games for me.

[JJStripes 1]

Please refrain from using text formatting in your posts.

Thank you.

Got it.

[badkarma 4]

Got my blades sharpened before the first use, I think I have a lot of bit...its hard to just shave ice while trying to snow plow...I am 5'10ish, about 185lbs...I wanna say I have the standard 1/2" hollow, but I don't quite remember what the guy at the shop said...should I try something with less bite on the next sharpen? what should I ask for to ensure I can get a little slide on my stops? Thanks

[z1ggy 81]

I think it depends on your steel. My old steel on my Vapor XXV (LS 1..?) I needed to get done about every 3-4 skates. It sucked big time. Now that I'm mako II's (ES4 steel) with much better steel, I see these needing a sharpening maybe once every 10-12 skates. I've put 4 or 5 skates on them and they feel just as sharp as on the first.

[badkarma 4]

I have LS3 steel that comes on the Lightspeed Edge Tuuks...I have skated on them a few times for a couple of hours each time...im wondering if the hollow has too much bite for me being a beginner on ice...I cant shave ice with minimal pressure and get no slide when attempting to stop...should I just wait until they dull down or should I go back to the shop and ask for less bite?

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

I think it depends on your steel. My old steel on my Vapor XXV (LS 1..?) I needed to get done about every 3-4 skates. It sucked big time. Now that I'm mako II's (ES4 steel) with much better steel, I see these needing a sharpening maybe once every 10-12 skates. I've put 4 or 5 skates on them and they feel just as sharp as on the first.

All other factors aside (nicking you skates, etc), with normal wear & tear, I agree. I used HyperGlide blades now, and compared to my old blades, this steel holds it's edges for a much longer time.