Will an edge just suddenly give, or is it more a gradual thing

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

OK, so I have been checking off on a little whiteboard I have out in the garage how often I skate, so I can roughly keep track of when I think I should need my skates sharpened.

However, the way the edges feel at the minute are perfect. I really like how the skate is performing for me (my own skating deficiencies aside).

But the thing is, I am well past the amount of ice time that I would usually allow before getting a sharpening.

So, if I take a lets see if it will last a few more games, is that usually alright?

Or is it a case that I go to my game on friday night and 5 minutes in, I lose an edge completely.

I'm thinking logically, it shouldn't just go, but can it, or does it?

I only ask because I take my skates to the place I bought them to get sharpened, because I like the job/service/staff there, and it's close to my work, but a 45 minute drive from my home, so if it's a case that I could blow an edge this weekend completely, I would rather have them sharpened now, and get a skate in before the game friday, than play the game friday and have to go to a new sharpener between periods?

[colt45 0]

It all really depends on the ice, what you step on, etc.

A while ago, I kept losing my edge on my left inside edge and I couldn't figure out why...as it turns out, my skate was catching the plactic on the boards when I jumped over.

So it really all depends...If you step on a skate blade, it could reck your edge, a shinpad, etc.

So it really all depends

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I'm talking about just skating, if I don't nick it off something that would wreck it, just from skating, is it likely it would go from feeling good to being gone in one game?

As for the ice, I play in the house league at the Capitals practice facility, so it's decent enough (from my limited knowledge)

[Chadd 916]

If you go from softer ice to harder ice, it can feel like you suddenly lost your edges. Otherwise it is usually a gradual loss of "bite".

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Ok, cheers, then I am going to leave it through this weekend, see how I go after that, I should be on the ice at least twice, so will get an idea if it's starting to go.

[hapamatt122 0]

Chadd mentioned the difference in ice surfaces can throw u for a loop sometimes, this happens to me because I get mine sharpened at a rink that has a great guy that works the machine and has been doing my skates for years and I do a skills clinic and pickup there every week, however the league there sucks so I play my adult league at another rink (who's service sucks and the ppl there don't know how to sharpen at all). the ice where i do the pickup is much softer than where my league is, so when i switch between the 2 it always feels like my edges are giving out on the harder ice. by now i've gotten used to it but i feel like i need to have seperate sharpening jobs for each ice.

[tomh7 2]

Between playing, coaching, reffing, I am on the ice about 8-10hrs per week during the season. I play pick-up on friday mornings at a rink where the ice is good but the facilities aren't (i.e. exposed bolts on the bench, worn out mats, etc.) and everything else is at a nicer rink with similar ice. I usually just sharpen my skates before my league games on sunday night. Basically, I sharpen my skates once a week or every 8-10hrs. Keeping it regular means you should never get on the ice wishing you hadn't waited or be surprised that you have lost an edge.

Also, I check my skates for knicks, folded edges, bent blades, etc. every time I take them off.

By the way, it helps that I have my own machine.

[Jarick 5]

You know that's an odd thing, I used to get my skates sharpened about every 2 to 3 weeks, but I went to a different place and I've skated for almost three months without getting them sharpened. Here's a few things that have changed:

- Less ice time, I'm skating once a week instead of two to three times a week

- Potentially softer ice due to warmer weather

- Different sharpener did a better job

- I'm improving my skating

I'm kind of worried about not sharpening them for a while, but by the same time, if it ain't broke...

[DamnLocust 0]

However, the way the edges feel at the minute are perfect. I really like how the skate is performing for me (my own skating deficiencies aside).

But the thing is, I am well past the amount of ice time that I would usually allow before getting a sharpening.

Sounds like you may want to try a shallower hollow. If you've skated on them a number of times and NOW they feel good, you're getting them done with too deep of a hollow. Does it feel as though you have too much bite when they're first sharpened?

[Andoy 5]

A question for the sharpeners: Is it a hassle when someone asks for a shallower hollow?

Because where I live (Vancouver) I am blessed with many LHS around me....all within a 10-15 drive. But when it comes to sharpening I only stick to one place because when I ask for a shallow cut (5/8) the other LHS would give me a sharpening with a deeper hollow thinking I wouldn't know the difference.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Nope.

Matter of fact, guy walked in and askedme what my machine was set at. I said "Whatever you want it to be."

[Chadd 916]

A question for the sharpeners: Is it a hassle when someone asks for a shallower hollow?

Because where I live (Vancouver) I am blessed with many LHS around me....all within a 10-15 drive. But when it comes to sharpening I only stick to one place because when I ask for a shallow cut (5/8) the other LHS would give me a sharpening with a deeper hollow thinking I wouldn't know the difference.

Some people are lazy and don't like to change the radius on the wheel.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Its very easy to adjust the hollow. No big deal at all

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

However, the way the edges feel at the minute are perfect. I really like how the skate is performing for me (my own skating deficiencies aside).

But the thing is, I am well past the amount of ice time that I would usually allow before getting a sharpening.

Sounds like you may want to try a shallower hollow. If you've skated on them a number of times and NOW they feel good, you're getting them done with too deep of a hollow. Does it feel as though you have too much bite when they're first sharpened?

Well, I know the standard setting it 1/2. There is a lot of bite initally, but I put that down to my being 6'3'' & 240 lbs.

If I wanted to go down slightly in hollow, but not too much, what would you recommend?

Cheers

[TBLfan 25]

I'm roughly your size and I use 3/4, but that just works for me... Oddly enough I used 3/4 as a goalie and the wider steel gives you more bite, so it's almost like using 1/2 or maybe even 3/8.

I'd try 3/4 during an open skate and if you like it stick with it. If it's not enough bite, try 5/8.

[DamnLocust 0]

I'm a bit heavier than you are and I skate on a 5/8" and am thinking about gong a bit shallower.

Lots of guys recommend radius changes in 1/16th increments, so by that logic your next step would be 9/16. If you feel like there's a lot of extra bit on the 1/2, go straight for 5/8.

The quality of ice will make a difference as well. Since you're skating on the caps' practice facility, I would hope the ice is pretty good there. (harder ice calls for a deeper cut, softer calls for shallower).

[TBLfan 25]

last week I showed up and the ice was a little harder than normal, mix that with not getting my skates sharpened for 4 ice times and it wasn't pretty. I don't know whether it's related or not but I tweaked my groin muscle that night... and we lost. :(

[hitz14 0]

im 5'10" 185 and i used to use a 5/16 but within a year i got down to a 3/4 by just going down in 1/32 increments that way theres no major change just gradual

[sc37 0]

Slightly related....but how about the wear on your blades itself? When's a good time to change the steel. I'm on Custom +'s right now and lately when I get low into a turn I feel as if my holder or skate is touching the ice. Is it cause I need new steel or just cause the holders are low like that? Looking at my skates, it would seem I have quite a few sharpenings left. I've never had a pair long enough to ever need to change the steel so idk....also wondering if it's the boot slipping a little and getting more bend than I usually do.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Once you get to about 1/2" of steel you need to start thinking about changing.

If you are bottoming out, it's your steel or the boot is not supportive.

[sabre09923 0]

I'd go with a shallower hollow, like the other guys have suggested. I felt like I was losing my edges a bit, especially during cornering. I changed my hollow to 5/8 and I felt way more stable in my skates.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

kind of a side note... I have one guy do my skates about 95% of the time. everytime i go, i get 5/8" and every time i go he gives me hell, calling me 'goalie' or 'figure skater'... I mean, I get that I'm small (i mean really small), and 5/8" probably is pretty shallow, but it works for me. I dont get why the hate.. its not so much hate as good natured ribbing, but he tries to talk me into going deeper each time.

the last time though, I asked for 9/16" and i thought the world was gonna end.

oh well, guess its not a big deal for 11 or so more weeks :( damn broken leg.

[sc37 0]

Once you get to about 1/2" of steel you need to start thinking about changing.

If you are bottoming out, it's your steel or the boot is not supportive.

Thanks! Just measured...I'm like a hair under 1/2".

[thorpedo26 0]

doesnt some steel hold an edge better than others. i know on higher end skates they use slightly higher end metal. "as far as i know"

[AnthonyJTa 0]

I'm a bit heavier than you are and I skate on a 5/8" and am thinking about gong a bit shallower.

Lots of guys recommend radius changes in 1/16th increments, so by that logic your next step would be 9/16. If you feel like there's a lot of extra bit on the 1/2, go straight for 5/8.

My guy actually had me move in 1/16th increments as well.... he gave me 9/16th's the second sharpening, and I knew 10 minutes on the ice it was perfect for me.