Skate Profiling.

[syinx 139]

I've been meaning to get a further forward pitch on my skates. The last time I asked for a +1 forward pitch, I was told the industry term for it was 9/10. Could I get an explanation for this? Say if I wanted a +2 or even a +3 forward pitch on my 9' radius blades, what would they be?

[customskateworks 39]

Standard profile bars a shop should have are 7', 9', 11', 13', and 28'. Requesting one of these options at a neutral pitch will grind the working radius (middle ~60% of the runner) of the runner to the specified radius with a balance point determined by where the skate is placed on the shaper sled (determined with a boot gauge) and the pitch adjustment. Everyone's natural balance point differs, so 2 identical skates profiled exactly the same may feel great to one player and god awful to another. By adjusting the shaper sled the technician can make adjustments (typically) in 1/32" increments, or a +1/-1. Essentially this shifts the balance point of the working profile either forward or backward. This allows the technician to dial in a profile that suits the players balance point. Also, just because you always got a 9' +1 profile in one pair of skates doesn't mean it will feel the same in a different pair of skates. Holder heights, lacing profiles , and general boot construction all play a roll. If it were my shop, a player saying he wants a 9' +3 would tell me everything I need to know. If it's a reputable shop, telling them what feel you are looking for, why you are looking for it, what you have tried, liked and hated, all help the skate technician determine a good starting point. Once you've established that, you can tune your skates in just right over the next couple of visits to the shop.

[markush 12]

I was extremely satisfied with the expert advice of Pro-Skate Balance (www.proskatebalance.com)

It makes such a difference getting the right profiling (front, working, back radius), Balance point and hollow suitet to your individual situation.

[Vet88 674]

So I've just got a new pair of skates and they have been sharpened and I really like how they feel on the ice. Is there any way I can determine where the balance point is myself so I can mark it on the holder and use it as a reference point for the next time I get my skates sharpened? Or can this only be marked by the person doing the sharpening at the time?

[navy21 4]

I had been skating on the LS2.1 and mentioned to the sharpener at my LHS that I wanted to downsize the length of the runner. He suggested that I get my steel "rockered" instead. He referred me to a machinist considered a local legend in the hockey community around here who then recommended I go with an "84" or a "72". I'm assuming that number references the length of the flat portion of the steel that is always in contact with the ice.

Does anyone know what "profile" this would correlate with? (Assuming it is the same thing).

I went with the 84 and it was a night and day difference.

Thanks.

[jimmy 194]

I had been skating on the LS2.1 and mentioned to the sharpener at my LHS that I wanted to downsize the length of the runner. He suggested that I get my steel "rockered" instead. He referred me to a machinist considered a local legend in the hockey community around here who then recommended I go with an "84" or a "72". I'm assuming that number references the length of the flat portion of the steel that is always in contact with the ice.

Does anyone know what "profile" this would correlate with? (Assuming it is the same thing).

I went with the 84 and it was a night and day difference.

Thanks.

Never heard of those numbers, must be his secret code for the actual radius. Profiles are generally measured by feet. I doubt the 72 or 84 is flat spot in millimeters, because those are very flat compared to the stock Bauer radius.

[Chadd 916]

Interesting, never heard anything like those numbers before.

[jsykes 35]

Unless he's referring to the radius in inches, though those would be pretty small radius for a profile. "84" could be 84 inches which would be 7 feet.

[navy21 4]

Unless he's referring to the radius in inches, though those would be pretty small radius for a profile. "84" could be 84 inches which would be 7 feet.

bingo.

Just realized all the options he listed were increments of 12 apart....

I think he also said most blades come out of the box with a "108" which would be 9'.

thanks!

[smcgreg 81]

bingo.

Just realized all the options he listed were increments of 12 apart....

I think he also said most blades come out of the box with a "108" which would be 9'.

thanks!

So, 6 ft is one of the options? Are you friggin Mite? That's a pretty short radius. I haven't seen any of the skate gurus ever mention anything that short. I expect they'd be crazy agile, but would likely compromise top end speed.

[navy21 4]

So, 6 ft is one of the options? Are you friggin Mite? That's a pretty short radius. I haven't seen any of the skate gurus ever mention anything that short. I expect they'd be crazy agile, but would likely compromise top end speed.

"72" was an option, so if the above theory is correct, then yes...6ft was an option.

[markush 12]

Have in mind that most pros are using a combo-radius - so you get the benefits of both (forward / back radius)

[jimmy 194]

So, 6 ft is one of the options? Are you friggin Mite? That's a pretty short radius. I haven't seen any of the skate gurus ever mention anything that short. I expect they'd be crazy agile, but would likely compromise top end speed.

6' would work fine on a youth size skate, but on a adult skate it would teeter and be unstable. Plus there are always the folks who want agility and don't care about speed. I get 2 or three every year that want that. To each his own.

Never heard of radius referred to in inches before but if the math works, why not.

[DigiV 6]

i've heard of a 72 when someone did a cag profile. did like 40/72 or something like that

[markush 12]

I'd recommend a Combo-Radius of Front 9 and back 10ft.

[smcgreg 81]

6' would work fine on a youth size skate, but on a adult skate it would teeter and be unstable. Plus there are always the folks who want agility and don't care about speed. I get 2 or three every year that want that. To each his own.

Never heard of radius referred to in inches before but if the math works, why not.

So, Jimmy, do you know what the typical radius is on a youth skate? Bauer? CCM?

[jimmy 194]

Youth skates typically have flat bottoms for stability for the beginner skater but some are now putting shorter radius. None I know of have real short like the 6'. The thing about youth skaters is one could be a milkcrate pusher, and another a solid skater with 3 yrs of experience. That's why customizing radius for each skater is so important. Not to mention just getting the left runner aligned with the right.

[DigiV 6]

Youth skates typically have flat bottoms for stability for the beginner skater but some are now putting shorter radius. None I know of have real short like the 6'. The thing about youth skaters is one could be a milkcrate pusher, and another a solid skater with 3 yrs of experience. That's why customizing radius for each skater is so important. Not to mention just getting the left runner aligned with the right.

Just wondering what your opinion is..

given equal height and weight should a longer radius be used vs a shorter one for a solid skater vs a not so skilled skater?

[jimmy 194]

Just wondering what your opinion is..

given equal height and weight should a longer radius be used vs a shorter one for a solid skater vs a not so skilled skater?

There are so many factors but in general less skilled players are not as stable, so a longer radius helps with that, and less skilled beginners do not lean as much in turns, so a shorter radius can help in that regard but also a shorter radius can help a skilled player with even tighter turns. Again, a lot of variables and each skater is different. I profile beginners in stages as they progess, we adjust the radius for the skill level. Lastly there is the dreaded personal preference, when a skater likes a certain feel, although that may not be the best performing, that's what they like.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Have in mind that most pros are using a combo-radius - so you get the benefits of both (forward / back radius)

BS.

[customskateworks 39]

BS.

Second

[markush 12]

BS.

Are you trying to Claim a combo radius doesn't combine the advantages of a bigger radius providing more powerfull strides with the better agility of a shorter radius?!

[jsykes 35]

I think the BS call is that most of the NHL is using a combo radius. To my knowledge and what I've seen on a small number of teams, this is not the case and most just use a standard radius.

[DigiV 6]

Are you trying to Claim a combo radius doesn't combine the advantages of a bigger radius providing more powerfull strides with the better agility of a shorter radius?!

i have heard that a "combo" radius is not effective.

[customskateworks 39]

It's effective if you believe it's effective. I'll leave it at that.