Skate Sharpening ---Myths and Realities...

The Wonder of Radius!

In the previous article we discussed how to tell if skates were sharp. Now we will explore the options available (and there are many) and clear up some of the confusion associated with skate sharpening. The majority of players, over time, have developed a routine when it comes to sharpening. It's a pattern, or habit if you like, that players fall into like: after two games and a practice, or every four times on the ice or once a week at a specific rink or shop. This approach is comforting for the player, and tends to contribute to the level of confidence in his skating and, ultimately his game performance. Others have a less regimented approach and will take whatever is available, wherever they happen to be. Whatever the approach, it is a very personal one and often sticks with a player throughout his playing "career" and beyond. He will drive miles out of the way to that "one shop" that does it right or drop the skates off to be processed, then pick them up a couple of hours later or even the next day. But sometimes, a player will break from routine. He didn't have time to stop off at his favourite shop, one skate has lost an edge unexpectantly, or he is at a strange arena and knows his skates need a tune-up. These kinds of situations will lead him to "try" a different sharpener. And what a surprise when he steps onto the ice and the sharpening is not what he expected! He tries to stop and his skates keep on sliding through his intended stop position or really dig into the ice and he stops too suddenly. He attributes this, of course, to bad sharpening and swears never to get his skates done there again. This experience will further strengthen his conviction to not break from routine.

But is it really a bad job of skate sharpening? More often than not, no but, it is indeed different and does not meet the needs of the player. And just what makes the difference? The RADIUS. Let me explain: On each skate there are two edges; an inside edge and an outside edge. Between these edges, running the length of the blade is a trough that is "ground" out by the wheel of the sharpener. This trough or hollow can be deep or shallow depending on the choice of the operator. The deeper the trough, the higher the edges and, of course, the more "bite" they will offer when it comes to starts, stops and turns on the ice. What controls the depth of this hollow is the RADIUS of the "dressing" (or preparation) of the grinding wheel. A short radius will mean a deeper hollow. Conversely, a longer radius will result in a more shallow one. Different settings are available and are offered at most shops by "A", "B"..."E"-cuts or "1", "2"..."5"-cuts without the explanation of this RADIUS stuff. Keep in mind though, that a "B"-cut at one shop is not necessarily the same as a "B"-cut at another. You can take the mystery out of it if you learn the radius of the cut that best suits you, your style of hockey and skating skill. You will then be armed with enough information to specifically ask for your skate sharpening by the (RADIUS) numbers.

Here's what I mean:

Radius cuts range from about 7/16" to 1 1/2" with several graduations in between. This doesn't seem like much on a ruler but to the edge of a skate it means a lot. And to the player, it is the difference between a surprise and expectation. The shorter 7/16" radius is sometimes called the "Suicide" cut because of the very high edges that result. The longer 11/2 ", results in an almost "flat" cut that is sometimes used by goalies and figure skaters. The optimum radius for seasoned players seems to be at the 5/8" mark. More or less edge can be asked for but, as a suggestion, start with this setting. If you change, get to know what that new setting is, and ask for it at every sharpening. Then, as your skills change or body weight increases, adjustments can be made knowledgeably and surprises avoided.

Keep in mind too that, often at the specialty shops, especially busy ones, the sharpener is set at a specific cut and, unless asked for specifically, all skates are done with the same radius. At the smaller shops, particularly in arenas where sharpening is the primary business, more attention is paid to this and the operators will not hesitate to re-dress the wheel to your specific request. He may even ask you how you would like them done.

There you have it! The Wonder of Radius is no more. But what of all the "special" sharpenings available? Watch for the next  article titled; "The Myth of Profile".

The Myth of Profile