Skate Sharpening

Hockey and figure skate blade sharpening by Rich@TheRink (at Cambridge Ice Arena), using a specially engineered system to ensure the smoothest, most level edges you're likely to experience.

Sharpening Levels

Regular: Standard sharpening where the blades are well-maintained

New blade: For brand new blades (straight from the shop, have never been sharpened before)

Reconditioning: For poorly maintained, or damaged blades, with excessive rust or nicks along the blade edges.

Depth of Hollow

The depth of hollow is the radius of the cutting edge of the wheel. A smaller radius equates to a deeper hollow in the blade, giving more pronounced edges with sharper angle at the edge. Deeper hollow is better for tight turns and aggressive stopping, but is a slower/harder skate.

5/16: Extreme. Most blades will not sustain this level. Specialist grind only.

3/8: Very sharp, and not often selected. Skaters who like tight corners and aggressive stopping. Sacrifices speed.

7/16: A popular choice for figure skaters after Learn to Skate (on to spins and jumps). Not usual for recreational skates/skaters. Hockey players who like better cornering and stopping.

1/2: A popular choice for hockey players, and figure skaters not yet on to spins and jumps.

9/16: Not a common choice, though preferred by some who find 1/2 too deep, and 5/8 not deep enough.

5/8: A popular choice for new and purely recreational skaters. Sometimes used by hockey players who love speed, at the cost of less turning and stopping power.

3/4: Not a common choice. Only for those who find 5/8ths too sharp.