Without properly sharpened skate blades, hockey players will struggle to stand up let alone score goals. Each player has his own preference on blade sharpness, with the player's size, skill level and position among the considerations. Knowing how skates work and the benefits and drawbacks of particular edges can help a player improve on-ice performance.
Blade Identification
Ice hockey skate blades are typically one-eighth of an inch wide. However, unlike other types of ice skates hockey skates are not flat on the bottom. A hockey skate has a hollow running the length of the blade, creating two distinct edges, an inner edge near the big toe and an outer edge near the pinkie toe. If you were to stand a hockey skate on a flat surface and look down the length of the blade, you would see a tiny arch or tunnel with only the two edges contacting the surface.
Edge Function
The hockey skate blade's two edges are the player's only contact with the ice. These edges dig into the ice and allow the player to push off, glide, stop or change direction. When the skate presses into the ice, it melts the ice and creates a film of water that allows for easier gliding. If an edge goes dull, players will often fall and be unable to regain their normal stride. Many professional players have their skates sharpened before and even during games to ensure their edges remain as sharp as possible.
Skate Hollow
A hockey skate blade's edges can be noted by their radius of hollow, which actually refers to the radius of the circular grindstone skate sharpening machines use to sharpen skates. By adjusting grindstone size, team trainers can achieve precise hollows for each player's skates. A large radius of hollow, such as a half- inch, will produce a less pronounced hollow and less bite. Conversely, a smaller radius of hollow, such as 5/16 of an inch, will create a deeper hollow, sharper edges and more bite.
Considerations
Smaller, lighter hockey players require deeper hollows with sharper edges to dig into the ice. Larger players have enough body weight that they don't require deep hollows. Heavier players will find that sharp edges dig too deeply into the ice, creating more resistance and slowing them down. A smaller hollow can help increase a player's speed since more of the skate blade contacts the ice, creating more lubricating water beneath the blade and increasing glide. Goaltenders typically prefer minimal hollows with dull edges since they need to slide laterally from side to side, and sharp edges can catch too much ice and hinder movement.
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