Change in radius

[scorer75 9]

Guys:

I'm currently on a 7/16 radius. I need to go shallower or larger as I'm literally sinking into the ice. I can actually feel it.

I used 7/16 because it was a fair trade off from my local rink (indoors and soft) and an outdoor rink I play at during the winter (pretty hard ice). Well, for the next 8 months I will only be playing indoors.

I have spoken to my sharpener and he recommends going up to 1/2.

How significant is the difference in "feel" when making a change from 7/16 to 1/2"? If the change of 1/16 is not that dramatic, I might consider going even shallower.

What are your thoughts?

[Chadd 916]

Everyone is going to feel the change differently. Best advice is to give it a shot and see for yourself. If you have Easton, CCM or Mission skates you might want to consider a second set of steel and keep one set for each rink. Those three brands all have steel that can be swapped out in five minutes or less.

[big_bt 0]

Everyone is going to feel the change differently. Best advice is to give it a shot and see for yourself. If you have Easton, CCM or Mission skates you might want to consider a second set of steel and keep one set for each rink. Those three brands all have steel that can be swapped out in five minutes or less.

Yeah agreed, it took a while for me to find the hollow I wanted.

Started off at 3/8, then 1/2, then finally found the sweet spot a 5/8. It took me some time. Two hard skates on each hollow and then you find the difference.

[zales17 0]

I have been in the process of going to a shallower hollow after reading some good discussions on this board. I have skated at 7/16 for a long time (several years) but began to experience the "lagging" feel that comes with a deep hollow. It seemed that I was expending way too much energy with very little resulting glide. As I have a fairly long stride, glide is something I really enjoy having. I slowly moved towards 1/2 over the course of 5 or so skates (as I have the luxury of doing my own skates whenever I would like) I went from 7/16 to somewhere between 7/16 and 1/2, then I moved a little more to the 1/2, then went to just on the other (shallower) side of 1/2. The first 2 adjustments were awesome. Just that little bit of change gave me some improved glide with not much loss of stopping quickness. HOWEVER>>>the third adjustment (just shallower than 1/2...like not even at 9/16) and I was sliding all over the place. I just couldnt get the bite I wanted when trying to match an oncoming forward. Ive since settled on 1/2 for softer ice and just a hair deeper than 1/2 for harder ice.

Moral of this long story....Slight changes CAN be felt and may or may not work for you, you need to play around with slight increments to find your "perfect" hollow.

[scorer75 9]

Zales: Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Chadd: I've already got two sets of steel, but there's no need to keep one at a hollow for a game that doesn't start back up until November.

[english15x 3]

I really don't feel a huge difference between 1/2 inch and 7/16s. Just a little more grip when turning for me. Stopping and transitions are much the same. I feel 1/2 inch is better for me though. Really have to play with things.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd: I've already got two sets of steel, but there's no need to keep one at a hollow for a game that doesn't start back up until November.

Just something to think about when it does get cold again. If the conditions are that different, different radius of hollow on each pair of steel will allow you to get the same feel despite the differences in conditions.

[BMcDonald19 0]

i used to use the 7-16 myself, and i gained a fair amount of weight. i found myself sinking in alot to, but the ice i play on is soft. so i am using 1/2 now. i tried 9/16, and also 5/8 but i found them not enough edge. i would try it out anf hope for the best.

[SolarWind 23]

interestingly enough I was always using 3/8 (which was probably excessive since I'm 210lbs, but it was providing me with a solid grip - at the expense of glide of course but I was OK with that), but recently with the upcoming spring & supposedly softer ice I had changed to 1/2

well - few days later it snowed here with the temperature dropping at least 10 degrees basically all the way down to winter temperatures

I had a pick-up game tonight & ice was as hard as a stone - my ass was all over it :)

so I'd say yeah - adjustment in ROH does take time!

[scorer75 9]

Chadd: I've already got two sets of steel, but there's no need to keep one at a hollow for a game that doesn't start back up until November.

Just something to think about when it does get cold again. If the conditions are that different, different radius of hollow on each pair of steel will allow you to get the same feel despite the differences in conditions.

No question, that's exactly what I do during the winter.

[guasto74 0]

Guys:

I'm currently on a 7/16 radius. I need to go shallower or larger as I'm literally sinking into the ice. I can actually feel it.

I used 7/16 because it was a fair trade off from my local rink (indoors and soft) and an outdoor rink I play at during the winter (pretty hard ice). Well, for the next 8 months I will only be playing indoors.

I have spoken to my sharpener and he recommends going up to 1/2.

How significant is the difference in "feel" when making a change from 7/16 to 1/2"? If the change of 1/16 is not that dramatic, I might consider going even shallower.

What are your thoughts?

Scorer,

Wondering where your outdoor rink is located, is it on LI? Pt. Wash?

Anyways, I have mine done at 1/2 by Bob and I feel it is a good balance for both the winter and spring. I'm 6'2'' and just under 200 lbs.

[scorer75 9]

Quasto:

The outdoor rink is Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

There is a private game there every Wednesday and Sunday from mid-November to March. Sunday is usually highly skilled players, Wednesday is different every year.

I'm going to go to 1/2" and see how that feels.

I'm 6' 3" and 230 lbs. (ok, 235).

[joshy207 15]

Whatever you do, I'd recommend making the changes very gradual--1/16 at a time, so 7/16 to 1/2 to 9/16 to 5/8 until you feel like you're not biting into the ice. You'll definitely know when you've gone too shallow. If you try too drastic a change, you won't be able to really analyze the difference because you'll feel lost out there.

[flyerman 0]

Whatever you do, I'd recommend making the changes very gradual--1/16 at a time, so 7/16 to 1/2 to 9/16 to 5/8 until you feel like you're not biting into the ice. You'll definitely know when you've gone too shallow. If you try too drastic a change, you won't be able to really analyze the difference because you'll feel lost out there.

Good advice imho. That is what I am currently doing, esp. now with the coming warmer weather and softer ice. I've gone from 3/8" to 7/16" back in New England, and from to 1/2" to 9/16" here in the Midwest -- working my way to 5/8". We'll see how shallow I can go before I start blowing out a tire every time I turn or pivot hard.

[scorer75 9]

Just an update.

I'm still on 7/16" and going to go to 1/2" with my next sharpening.

I played last night at Icehouse in Jersey. This was my first time skating there. All I can say is WOW, that is amazing ice. Aviator, where I normally skate feels like quicksand by comparison. Even on my 7/16" I was flying on that ice. What a huge difference from Aviator.

I'll post back here when I get to try the 1/2" to report the difference.

Thanks for all the input.

[guasto74 0]

Just an update.

I'm still on 7/16" and going to go to 1/2" with my next sharpening.

I played last night at Icehouse in Jersey. This was my first time skating there. All I can say is WOW, that is amazing ice. Aviator, where I normally skate feels like quicksand by comparison. Even on my 7/16" I was flying on that ice. What a huge difference from Aviator.

I'll post back here when I get to try the 1/2" to report the difference.

Thanks for all the input.

scorer,

What time are those games at Prospect Park (I'm not looking to ambush the game), I'm just curious if folks are playing hockey at decent hours. Also, have you been to open at Aviator on Monday night? If so, any good?

[scorer75 9]

Just an update.

I'm still on 7/16" and going to go to 1/2" with my next sharpening.

I played last night at Icehouse in Jersey. This was my first time skating there. All I can say is WOW, that is amazing ice. Aviator, where I normally skate feels like quicksand by comparison. Even on my 7/16" I was flying on that ice. What a huge difference from Aviator.

I'll post back here when I get to try the 1/2" to report the difference.

Thanks for all the input.

scorer,

What time are those games at Prospect Park (I'm not looking to ambush the game), I'm just curious if folks are playing hockey at decent hours. Also, have you been to open at Aviator on Monday night? If so, any good?

Quasto:

I wasn't implying anything about PP, just informing people that it was not an open game they could show up at expecting to get in. If you'd like to find out about playing, I believe there are usually some spots for Wednesday nights. Just PM me in October and I can find out and get you contact information.

The games are 9pm on Sunday and 8:30pm on Wednesday from mid-November through March.

Regarding Aviator, don't bother Monday nights. They oversell, guys don't change (we're talking like 5 minute shifts with 3+ lines), and you have to be related by blood or at least originally from the same city in Russia as someone else to get a pass. Picture what's it's like to be on the be on the bench for 15 minutes watching the guys on the ice bent at the waist with their sticks on their knees, but still staying out on the ice, now you get the idea.

I understand the Wed. game is better.

[guasto74 0]

Just an update.

I'm still on 7/16" and going to go to 1/2" with my next sharpening.

I played last night at Icehouse in Jersey. This was my first time skating there. All I can say is WOW, that is amazing ice. Aviator, where I normally skate feels like quicksand by comparison. Even on my 7/16" I was flying on that ice. What a huge difference from Aviator.

I'll post back here when I get to try the 1/2" to report the difference.

Thanks for all the input.

scorer,

What time are those games at Prospect Park (I'm not looking to ambush the game), I'm just curious if folks are playing hockey at decent hours. Also, have you been to open at Aviator on Monday night? If so, any good?

Quasto:

I wasn't implying anything about PP, just informing people that it was not an open game they could show up at expecting to get in. If you'd like to find out about playing, I believe there are usually some spots for Wednesday nights. Just PM me in October and I can find out and get you contact information.

The games are 9pm on Sunday and 8:30pm on Wednesday from mid-November through March.

Regarding Aviator, don't bother Monday nights. They oversell, guys don't change (we're talking like 5 minute shifts with 3+ lines), and you have to be related by blood or at least originally from the same city in Russia as someone else to get a pass. Picture what's it's like to be on the be on the bench for 15 minutes watching the guys on the ice bent at the waist with their sticks on their knees, but still staying out on the ice, now you get the idea.

I understand the Wed. game is better.

What a waste, 2 sheets of ice and you have to deal with everybody from Brighton Beach creating the Red Menace all over again.