Getting my skates radiused and pitched today

[Vic 0]

Hey guys,

I'm gonna do what the title says.

I've never had my skates pitched or radiused and from what I understand (From searching the boards all the time) is radius-ing will effect the amount of blade touching the ice.

More radius = more steel touching ice = more glide but less quick turning and such

Less radius, obviously is the opposite. Less glide but better for quick turns and maneuvering.

I'm thinking of getting a 9 (foot or inch? which is it?) radius. I think my skates are an 11 right now and I have a hard time moving side to side or turning quickly or in small circles when I have the puck. So I think that will solve that.

As for pitch, I want the feeling of being on my toes (more appropriately the balls of my feet). Right now I find it hard to do quick crossovers to gain speed, because it’s such an effort to stay on my toes. So I'm going to get a bit of a forward lean, but I'm not sure how much will be noticeable enough to make a difference.

I'm not even sure what to ask for. Does it go by degrees? Or millimeters?

Do you think these changes will help the problems?

I think trial and error will be the best way to find out.

Any help would be appreciated.

Vic

[jjtt99 0]

I'm not a radius or pitch expert so the only thing I can contribute is when it comes to radius it's in feet. This is based on the size of the circle if you followed the radius of the steel all the way around.

I don't have the stomach to even try tinkering with that stuff. Good luck.

[deadmanjolt 1]

What kind of boot are you on? Bauers tend to pitch towards the heels, Grafs towards the toes, and CCM/RBK tend to neutral pitch.

[bugscoe 2]

Vic - tiral and error is really the only way to find the perfect set up. The setup you indicate you're going to try sounds like a good place to start to see if they help with your issues.

Don't forget about the hollow though as that can make a huge difference!!

[bulletproof_funk 0]

T & E's the only way I could suggest. As for pitch, the shop that sharpens my skates has +/- 3 ticks on knob of their radiusing machine, but unfortunately each tick makes a pretty big difference and there's no markers subdividing each tick. Basically they had to eyeball the pitch of "1/3" or "1/2" a tick... I couldn't begin to tell you what that is in any concrete terms like degrees or mm. Anyways, find out what your shop has to offer in terms of pitch adjusting and go from there.

[Vic 0]

Thanks for the replies.

JJTT99 - That makes sense. So I'm gonna get a 9 foot radius. And yea I'm kinda thinking "What if the radius change really messes up my skating? But you never know, what if it's exactly what I need.

Deadmanjolt - I'm skating in RBK skates, plus I can feel that they're neutral.

Bugscoe - Yup, I'll never forget about hollow. That's the first thing I expiremented with a few years ago. I use a 1/2 inch on hard ice and 9/16 on softer ice.

Will having a forward lean change the effect of the hollow?

Cause I'm finding the 1/2 inch biting a bit too much on hard ice now too. So I might switch to 9/16 again along with the 9 foot radius and forward pitch.

bulletproof_funk - Yea, I guess it depends on what system they use, but trial and error will be the best way to find out.

Vic

[bugscoe 2]

Vic - I wouldn't think the pitch would effect the hollow. However, the pitch may change the way you use your edges which in turn may cause you to need a different hollow. Not certain about that - I guess you'll just have to see how it feels and adjust as needed.

I skate on Graf's, which already have a forward lean to them, and I have my blades pitched down a tad further. I also skate on a 9' radius but with a 15/16" hollow regardless of the ice.

[Vic 0]

Wow, 15/16 is crazy hollow.

I know that bunch of guys on the board use 15/16 or 1" hollows.

I dont know how you guys do it though, although, I've never tried.

I only weigh 160 so I like to be able to dig into the hard ice that I play on usually.

I started on that ice with 9/16 but my feet came out from under me a few times, so i switched to 1/2 inch. But i feel like i dont glide as much now plus I think now that i've adapted and gotten used to the harder ice I can move up to 9/16 comfortably.

Oh yea and the 1/2" hollow is causing chattering when I stop sometimes. But that's also related to the neutral pitch. I think a forward pitch will solve that too.

[deadmanjolt 1]

More glide would take you towards a longer radiused(profiled) blade. I think RBK and CCM start at 11' radius.

[Vic 0]

More glide would take you towards a longer radiused(profiled) blade. I think RBK and CCM start at 11' radius.

Yea. THat's what I think too. It's 11 right now.

Im switching to 9 because Im having trouble manouvering as quick as I want.

[jimmy 194]

Vic,

From what you described, start with a 17/32nd hollow. Definately go with some forward pitch. Ask your sharpener what levels he offers. He may offer degrees, secret codes (like 1, 2, 3) or even inches, like 1/32. For you I would start with a medium pitch for you (1/32nd). What size runners do you have? Can't help with length of radius till we know that. You are on the right track though and seem to have a good understanding. I'm always amazed how many skaters don't have a clue about the specs of their skates, yet can rattle off a whole list of specs for their stick.

[Vic 0]

Vic,

From what you described, start with a 17/32nd hollow. Definately go with some forward pitch. Ask your sharpener what levels he offers. He may offer degrees, secret codes (like 1, 2, 3) or even inches, like 1/32. For you I would start with a medium pitch for you (1/32nd). What size runners do you have? Can't help with length of radius till we know that. You are on the right track though and seem to have a good understanding. I'm always amazed how many skaters don't have a clue about the specs of their skates, yet can rattle off a whole list of specs for their stick.

Hey Jimmy,

Thanks for the actual (numbers) recomendations.

That'll sure help once I get in there.

As for most people not knowing much about their skate hollow/radius/pitch, I totally agree. Come to pick up on Friday night with me and I bet only 1 or 2 of the guys know what hollow they have.

I finally talked my buddy (6-2" 205lbs) into sharpening his skate to 9/16, instead of the "house cut" (1/2 probably) and he's loving the new hollow. He says he's faster and less tired.

I'll see if my sharpener can do 17/32 hollow. I know they use numbers like 1,2,3,4,5, etc... instead of fractions. I think my 1/2 inch hollow is a 4 in their listing.

Is 1/32nd forward pitch alot? Will it be noticable?

If 1/32 is medium, whats large or small?

What would 32/32 forward pitch look like? An entire inch (?) off the front end of the steel?

I think the runner is 11. I know it feels long. Its a size 9 RBK 8k.

Vic

[jimmy 194]

Vic, on the bottom of your skate on the white plastic holder is a 3 digit number like 272, 280. It's embossed in the plastic next to the rivits. This number tells youi the size of the steel (which can be different on similar sized skates) Still, on a size 9 RBK, you may want to start with a 10' radius and medium toe pitch. 32/32 would leave you with no steel left on the skate. :P What 1/32 means id that that amount is ground away on the forward part of the skate causing it to rock forward. Similar to a 1 degree pitch. Your radius guy should be able to explain what method he uses and how much pitch forwar it's equivelant to.

BTW, 1,2,3,4,5 are just secret codes for the actual hollows. Using "codes" only the sharpener knows what you are getting. NEVER, be satisfied when a sharpener tells you he gave you a number 3. Always ask them what exact radius of hollow that is.

[Vic 0]

Jimmy, glad I didnt get 32/32 pitch. :lol: Here's what happened.

Dropped them off yesterday.

The sharpener measured my runners and they are indeed 11 feet.

Getting them to 9 foot. Didnt get your post in time Jimmy.

And instead of altering the pitch, I think he might be adding a shim or whatever it's called (i'd call it a lift) to the back of the boot to add the forward lean.

Does this sound okay still?

He might be adding a rocker too.

The guy had me so confused man.

He showed me an old boot and it had an extra peice of plastic or somthing between the holder and the boot so I think that's what he's gonna add (the shim? lift?)

Any comments?

Vic

[JR Boucicaut 3811]

Yep, that would be it.

[Vic 0]

Yep, that would be it.

JR, will that do the same thing as altering the pitch forward?

And do you think he will still rocker the steel?

[JR Boucicaut 3811]

Yes. It depends on the thickness of the lift. To go one click forward, you'd need a 1/32" lift.

[Vic 0]

I guess, i'll find out on Friday when I go pick them up

Thanks

[Vic 0]

Well I played a game with the new radius (9 foot) and the heel lift and I really liked it.

It feels like I have more control of my skates, quicker turns and more dynamic movements. Might consider adding more of a heel lift ( I think I got 1/32 lift), but I'll wait till I skate in thse a few more times before deciding.

Also, I had a hat trick, all scored during the same shift. B)

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Vic

[jimmy 194]

Vic,

Great to hear. Pitching forward does wonders for forward skating. I suggest you play a minumum 6 times to let your body adapt before you make another change.

[Vic 0]

Will do.

Thanks Jimmy!