Skate sharpening question

[RadioGaGa 162]

This is kind of a specific question, so I didn't tack it on the end of an existing thread. Hopefully that's cool.

The last time I had my skates sharpened, I tried a different hollow. 5/8 (I've always had whatever the "stock" sharpen is... 1/2...I think). When I bring them to be sharpened again, do I have to tell them what the hollow is, or can they tell?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

If they're good, yes.

Most likely, no. You can write it on the boots and hope they notice.

[RadioGaGa 162]

If they're good, yes.

Most likely, no. You can write it on the boots and hope they notice.

Is it an insult to the sharpener if I got "oh, by thte way...they're 5/8"...?

would you be insulted if someone (not knowing your prowess on the stone) told you the cut?

I am asking seriously.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

No, not at all. I would hope that they do.

I ask them every time. You'd be surprised at the ones who do not even know what they have been getting.

[PH_Hockey2 4]

I ask them every time. You'd be surprised at the ones who do not even know what they have been getting.

Yep, The same thing happens to me when I ask people too. Im surprised on how many goalies don't know what hollow they skate on when I ask them what they want.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Cool. Thanks.

[BK 0]

No, not at all. I would hope that they do.

I ask them every time. You'd be surprised at the ones who do not even know what they have been getting.

Theres guys on my team who dont know what hollow they get.. they just drop them off.

I always assumed that everybody knew their hollow, but there are a LOT of people who just don't care or just didn't know that there were different hollows.

[ktang 34]

Can you tell what the hollow is by looking at it, or do you need a tool?

Sometimes I will get a stock hollow instead of the one I asked for, and I don't know until I get on the ice. I tried to use a loonie or twonie to check, but I still can't tell the difference. It would be nice to know while I am still at the shop.

[analog999 0]

If people say "I like 'em sharp" then they mean 3/8". If they say "I don't care" or "not too sharp" then they like them 1/2".

I skate with a guy who played at West Point - an excellent skater/player. He asked me to sharpen his skates tonight and I asked him what cut he wanted. He didn't know! I was shocked. He just said "not too sharp..."

I think sharpeners would rather know and if they don't know then they'll just assume 1/2 or 5/8. I've never had a sharpening where someone just assumed 3/8.

[analog999 0]

Can you tell what the hollow is by looking at it, or do you need a tool?

Sometimes I will get a stock hollow instead of the one I asked for, and I don't know until I get on the ice. I tried to use a loonie or twonie to check, but I still can't tell the difference. It would be nice to know while I am still at the shop.

I am sure they make a tool. I heard you could use AA (1/2) or AAA (3/8) batteries to tell the difference, but it is still difficult to tell if you ask me. I would just cut 1/2 on people if they don't tell me specifically.

[jimmy 194]

There are radius guage tools. I have a really nice machinists set. However, they are not always accurate if the edges are worn down quite a bit. Still you can usually get within a 32nd with them.

It's always best to tell your sharpener what hollow is in there if you know.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Yes, they sell ROH checkers.

Analog - I've had NHL guys do the same - they don't know either. For instance, take Nick Lidstrom. I did his kid's skates a few months back and he had no idea what hollow he needed. I did Nick's before training camp and he wanted 9/16".

[bugscoe 2]

It is sorta shocking that the hockey blade seems to be the most misunderstood piece of equipment we have yet, probably, one of the most important. It's the last link between you and the ice - you'd think more players would be all over getting the most out of their steel!

Anyhow, here is a very interesting video on the science behind your hollow and radius, etc...

http://www.exn.ca/video/?video=exn20021125-skatesharpen.asx

[RadioGaGa 162]

It is sorta shocking that the hockey blade seems to be the most misunderstood piece of equipment we have yet, probably, one of the most important. It's the last link between you and the ice - you'd think more players would be all over getting the most out of their steel!

Anyhow, here is a very interesting video on the science behind your hollow and radius, etc...

http://www.exn.ca/video/?video=exn20021125-skatesharpen.asx

That was fantastic....I gotta get mine done properly from the ground (ice) up. I don't think anything about my skates is right....I tried the the "penny test" they look uneven.

[analog999 0]

That was a good video. Anyone have a link to her website? I'd like to see the results when she publishes them.

[hockeytim18 0]

Are there certain weights for certain sharpenings?

[bugscoe 2]

I thought I saw a guide a while back with regards to weight and hollow. However, I think it simply boils down to your preference as a skater and how good you are with your ankles and edge control.

For example, I'm 205lbs and skated on 1" all last season. I just switched to 15/16" with a new pair of skates I got. A teammate of mine who is approx 245lbs, is at 5/8" and thinks that is too shallow for him and wants to try 3/8". That sounds crazy to me considering his weight! But he feels he can't grip the ice good enough at 5/8" and he doesn't understand how I can even skate at the hollow I'm at.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I thought I saw a guide a while back with regards to weight and hollow. However, I think it simply boils down to your preference as a skater and how good you are with your ankles and edge control.

For example, I'm 205lbs and skated on 1" all last season. I just switched to 15/16" with a new pair of skates I got. A teammate of mine who is approx 245lbs, is at 5/8" and thinks that is too shallow for him and wants to try 3/8". That sounds crazy to me considering his weight! But he feels he can't grip the ice good enough at 5/8" and he doesn't understand how I can even skate at the hollow I'm at.

you are correct on being heavier you should go less....a 3/8ths with a guy that big is just asking for problems. He must not be getting a very good sharpening.

[notquitedeadyet 13]

  I heard you could use AA (1/2) or AAA (3/8) batteries to tell the difference, but it is still difficult to tell if you ask me. 

Thats very wrong. A AA battery is a little more than a 1/2" diameter. That would be a 1/4" radius. The AAA battery would size a 3/16" radius!

If you want a poor man's way to check ROH, I've been using this: just go to your local hardware store & pick up some USS (not SAE) flat washers. The 1/4" USS has about a 3/4 outside diameter, which will measure for a 3/8 hollow, a 3/8 flat washer measures 1"& will gauge 1/2" & a 7/16 will check 5/8"(1.25 od). Fender washers usually state their od if you want to measure flatter than that, just remember that the radius will be 1/2 the diameter.

[TML4LIFE 0]

Yes, they sell ROH checkers.

Who sells these ROH checkers?

[sogaduch 0]

I thought I saw a guide a while back with regards to weight and hollow.  However, I think it simply boils down to your preference as a skater and how good you are with your ankles and edge control.

For example, I'm 205lbs and skated on 1" all last season.  I just switched to 15/16" with a new pair of skates I got.  A teammate of mine who is approx 245lbs, is at 5/8" and thinks that is too shallow for him and wants to try 3/8".  That sounds crazy to me considering his weight!  But he feels he can't grip the ice good enough at 5/8" and he doesn't understand how I can even skate at the hollow I'm at.

you are correct on being heavier you should go less....a 3/8ths with a guy that big is just asking for problems. He must not be getting a very good sharpening.

unless your dave beatz sharpening his skates at 5/16th

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I thought I saw a guide a while back with regards to weight and hollow.  However, I think it simply boils down to your preference as a skater and how good you are with your ankles and edge control.

For example, I'm 205lbs and skated on 1" all last season.  I just switched to 15/16" with a new pair of skates I got.  A teammate of mine who is approx 245lbs, is at 5/8" and thinks that is too shallow for him and wants to try 3/8".  That sounds crazy to me considering his weight!  But he feels he can't grip the ice good enough at 5/8" and he doesn't understand how I can even skate at the hollow I'm at.

you are correct on being heavier you should go less....a 3/8ths with a guy that big is just asking for problems. He must not be getting a very good sharpening.

unless your dave beatz sharpening his skates at 5/16th

yah but he doesnt weigh 265 anymore either...LOL

[jimmy 194]

Yes, they sell ROH checkers.

Who sells these ROH checkers?

ebay, do a search for radius gauge set.

[sogaduch 0]

I thought I saw a guide a while back with regards to weight and hollow.  However, I think it simply boils down to your preference as a skater and how good you are with your ankles and edge control.

For example, I'm 205lbs and skated on 1" all last season.  I just switched to 15/16" with a new pair of skates I got.  A teammate of mine who is approx 245lbs, is at 5/8" and thinks that is too shallow for him and wants to try 3/8".  That sounds crazy to me considering his weight!  But he feels he can't grip the ice good enough at 5/8" and he doesn't understand how I can even skate at the hollow I'm at.

you are correct on being heavier you should go less....a 3/8ths with a guy that big is just asking for problems. He must not be getting a very good sharpening.

unless your dave beatz sharpening his skates at 5/16th

yah but he doesnt weigh 265 anymore either...LOL

no but he's not eating as he used too, hes gained abit of the weight he's lost. How's Kim doing by the way

[DarkStar50 679]

Its amazing that players get to University level hockey without a clue about their blades! The skill and talent is there. Just take care of and learn about your equipment and you can still improve your game.