Different steel affecting sharpening?

[Ti-girl 0]

I used to have Vector 6.0 and switched to the RBK 9K pumps. I love them and they're an awesome skate, but I keep on having one problem.

When I get the sharpened it takes me at LEAST two ice times before the edges are to the point that I can skate without feeling like they're "too sharp". I asked for a smaller hollow on my next sharpening and the same thing happened, but it took less time to get used to it.

Is it because it's a different steel in the RBK's than what I'm used to? It's really strange and it's been happening since I got these skates. I get them sharpened after ever 6-10 ice times, depending on if it was a game, practice or just going out and skating.

Thanks.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

It is the same steel.

Must be something your sharpener is doing.

[chikinpotpie 138]

Next time you go in ask them what hollow they are sharpening at then you can use that to make a decision on whether the hollow is too deep or not. If they are not willing or do not know what hollow they are using, back away slowly and never let them touch your skates.

[Ti-girl 0]

Well I JUST called and asked them what hollow they used to sharpen skates, after some badgering on my part they finally said that it was sharpened at 3/8". I called my old sharpener and he said that he usually did female skates at 7/16".

Here lies the problem. The one guy I asked said it wouldn't be a problem to get mine done at that hollow, the other said it was "too hard to do."

[Jake 0]

I asked for 9/16ths once at my LHS and the kid had to go and find the manager, only because he wasn't good enough with fractions to figure out it was the notch between 1/2 and 5/8ths.

[Ngo_35 1]

haha cmon jake, not everyone strong at everything. Although it is basic at least he didnt guess and fuck up your skates.

[mew1838 0]

I don't understand why 3/8 can be a standard hollow.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Temperature...colder areas have harder ice.

[jimmy 194]

Not to mention it's easier to get edges with a 3/8, kind of like a bad carpenter who can cover up poor work with trim.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

For instance, when I worked in Orlando we had a police/fire tournament. Edmonton Police showed up and did not get their skates sharpened before their first game. They ALL came back in needing shallower hollows - they were all rolling on 5/16" cuts.

[mew1838 0]

higher temperature and humidity -------> softer ice?

[Chadd 916]

higher temperature and humidity -------> softer ice?

usually, yes

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

When it comes to ice, you are trying to remove heat, not make it colder.

I know it sounds weird but think about it for a minute. The ice guys would know what I mean.

So yes, more heat and humidity makes it harder to do that, hence, softer ice.

[notquitedeadyet 13]

Don't forget a different profile will have an effect on how the hollow will feel. Maybe your sharpener gave you banana blades on your old skates,& now you have more blade on the ice. While 7/16 to 3/8 is noticeable, it's not a drastic change unless the ice temp has changed too.

[Ti-girl 0]

The temperature has really been fluctuating lately. And we change rinks alot. Our home rink is very cold but the other rinks we play at tend to have softer ice.

[Methane 0]

The temperature has really been fluctuating lately. And we change rinks alot. Our home rink is very cold but the other rinks we play at tend to have softer ice.

I flip between two rinks, and have issues such as yours. One has super hard ice, the other can be like skating in a Slushie at times.

[nicksmission14 0]

I'm surprised they told you it was too hard to do, But in a way I'm not. They were probably feeling lazy and did not want to dress the wheel. When I worked in a Pro Shop I had to many different hollows. It can get annoying constantly changing the radius for custom requests, But you do it anyways to make the customer happy. Sometimes it is not feasible, If the shop was really busy it can be impossible to do every radius. I'd set both wheels with different hollows and you would have to pick between the two. Any other time it was no problem. I know my boss's did not like constantly changing the wheel because of the costs of diamonds and the wheel.

[mackallica 0]

3/8ths is somewhat of a deeper hollow. If it takes 2 ice-times to get to a pitch you like, then maybe try 1/2. 1/2 is basically the starting point at the store I work at. We do all skates at 1/2, unless they ask otherwise. If they feel too sharp at 1/2, then keep going up in 16ths.

It could be this, or your sharpener is doing something wrong. And, the fact that they say "it's too hard" to change from 3/8ths is just ridiculous. It takes less than a minute to change the dressing of a stone.