Blade Profiling/Hollow

[Dakotax 0]

Hey Guys,

I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that compares to my specific needs.

I just got new skates, I have never Radiused/Profiled/used a non-standard hollow for any skates i've ever owned. But I would like to try. I primarily play forward in my intramural league and I'm looking to try out profiling/hollowing of my blades.

here are my specs:

6"2'

295-300LBS

Using stock radius form Bauer

Using standard Hollow

I'm not a sloth on the ice like my weight would lead to believe, I have good top speed, however my first two steps aren't anything to write home about. My agility is average I would say. But I am a strong skater. So what radius would be best, and what hollow given my weight. unfortunately my leagues ice times are split between an arena that is used for CIS/OJHL and used to be the home of an OHL team and a garden variety sportsplex. So the difference in ice temperatures are noticeable.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Chadd 916]

I would try 5/8 and see how you like it. After that I would then try 3/4. At some point you will find that the added glide isn't worth the loss in bite. You could also consider some of the FBV options, but I don't know what the availability is in your area. As for profiling, it would depend on the hollow and what you're looking to improve.

[Dakotax 0]

I was under the impression that 5/8ths was the standard? Also can you give me an idea of what areas would improve with what radius'. Going from NHL 09 going to a smaller radius improves agilty/turing etc while losing out on speed, and vice versa?

[big_bt 0]

I would suggest giving the different radius's a try. Our input won't really be extremely helpful because everyone has a different skating style.

It took me a while to figure it out but roughly same weight skating on 3/4 with 11" radius.

[87vert 0]

I'm roughly the same size and I use 1/2, works well for me. Usually need to just try out different cuts to find out what works best. I havent done anything to the radius but I plan to sometime soon.

[Chadd 916]

I was under the impression that 5/8ths was the standard? Also can you give me an idea of what areas would improve with what radius'. Going from NHL 09 going to a smaller radius improves agilty/turing etc while losing out on speed, and vice versa?

In most areas that I've seen 1/2 is usually the standard, a few places used 3/8. Longer radius will give you more straight line speed than a shorter radius with the same hollow. Shorter radius will make it easier to cut and turn. It's a sliding scale and you have to find your happy place along that scale. The differences can be pretty minimal if you change one aspect at a time. If you change several aspects at the same time you will have no idea what is working and what is not.