PRO'S CORNER: SKATE SHARPENING MYTHS

There is a lot of information floating around out there about the “correct” way to sharpen skates. Every person who’s ever played probably has their own sure-fire tip, trick, or must-have for skate sharpening and it seems every professional rink rat is also a professional equipment manager. At Binnie’s Jason actually IS a professional equipment manager and skate sharpening pro. If you’re ready for the truth, take a look below at some truths behind common skate sharpening myths.

I can tell how sharp my skates are by using the fingernail test

TRUTH: While scraping your finger nail vertically along the edge of a skate can show you if you have an edge, it is not an accurate means of determining exactly how sharp the edge is. Additionally, how “sharp” a skate feels is also affected by the condition of the ice and the depth of hollow.

The flatbottom V is sharper/better to use than a regular radius hollow

TRUTH: While there can be benefits to either type of sharpening, one is not sharper than the other and one is not necessarily better than the other. There are comparable Flatbottom V hollows that will feel similar in sharpness to a standard radius hollow.

I don’t need to sharpen my skates if I have a Sweet Stick, V-tool, or honing stone

TRUTH: These tools are designed to remove burs and be a quick touch-up when you have a minor edge blow out. In most cases, they should not be used constantly and can actually damage your blade more if you use them too much. Have one in your bag, just in case, but if you’re not using it for emergencies only, you’re using it too much – get your skates sharpened!

The sharper my skates are the better

TRUTH: Many people confuse sharpness with depth of hollow. Often people think a deeper hollow will feel sharper than a less deep hollow. This, however, is not necessarily true. A 1” hollow fresh cut and a 3/8” hollow fresh cut both have the same sharpness because blade imperfections and wear have been removed. The sensation of sharpness – the amount of grip or dig your blade provides – is from the depth of hollow and how you skate. While a sharp (freshly cut) skate will always perform better than a dull skate, a sharper blade from depth of hollow is up to your personal preference and skating style.

Skates don’t need to be sharpened when I first get them and I don’t need to have them profiled to match my old skates

TRUTH: How the rumor of not needing skates sharpened before using keeps going around, is beyond us. Skates absolutely need to be sharpened before use. Most factories can’t cut their flat, and in many cases it is actually convex instead of concave. When it comes to profiling, there are two practical reasons for profiling new skates. The first is that steel from the manufacturers are not always perfect mates. Heck, they may not even be from the same factory. Profiling upon purchase ensures you have two runners that are the same pitch and radius profile, which should make skating easier. Second, it is always recommended to profile your skates to match similarly to your old steel. This is done so that you have less to get used to. Take for instance, your current skates are a 9 +1 profile (9 foot radius, pitched forward) but the factory skate is something closer to a centered 11. From the start, your balance would be off because the blade naturally wants to sit back, plus you’d have more steel on the ice, which can throw off your stride and turning potential.

Black steel is the best and is the only steel that should be used or you should never use OEM steel

TRUTH: There are several different types of replacement steel on the market now, all offering different benefits. While the black steel from Step, Flare Skates, and Tydan do have benefits that can lead to a better edge retention and impact resistance, there are black colored blades on the market that provide little benefit other than aesthetics. There are also stainless blades – polished and unpolished – that can provide just as much edge retention as some of the black blades with Diamond Like Coating (DLC). OEM steel (original manufacturer replacement steel) is not better or worse, necessarily, than an after-market steel. Most brands offer different types of steel at different price points. Yes, some steel is considered not as good because it is made with a softer steel than others. This is the same as any brand, OEM or after-market. The important things are to research each blade carefully to make the correct choice for you and to get a proper sharpening & profile each time you need it. A poorly sharpened black DLC blade will perform worse than a properly sharpened & profiled stainless blade.

A skate sharpening machine like Sparx is better than a person sharpening my skates

TRUTH: Hands-off skate sharpening machines have come a long way from the old skate sharpening boxes you’d find squirreled away in a back corner of the local rink. They are faster and more reliable and, most importantly, they can be affordable. The question of better, however, can be dependent on your access to a qualified professional skate sharpener in your area. Many loyal Binnie’s customers would swear by a Binnie’s sharpening and won’t go anywhere else, but if you don’t have someone qualified near you, a home sharpener may be the way to go. Side by side to a machine, a person who is experience and well trained will be a consistent, balance edge that retains your profile. What a machine can’t do is suggest adjustments to your skate that may make you better and look for issues with your steel like bends or warps, and adjust the skate sharpening for them.

I don’t need to dry my skates after use

TRUTH: You should dry your skates after use. First, the boots will break down faster if not properly dried. Second, rust can corrode not only your rivets, but also your steel creating holes that can disrupt your glide and make it harder to not only get an edge when sharpened but to retain one as well. You should carry a small towel with you to wipe off your steel before putting your skates in you bag. Once you get home, take your skates out of your bag and remove any skate guards to allow the steel to completely air dry.

Ready to get your skates sharpened or profiled? Trust Binnie’s to get it right the first time & every time.