WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
FIGURE SKATE AND HOCKEY SKATE BLADES?
The blade of a figure skate is wider than hockey skates. The profile or 'rocker' is intended to have the right radius of curvature along the blade for moves where you are shifting your weight to the front or back pf te slates/ There are different styles of blades for dance, figures and freestyle. Hockey blades are short, narrow, with a deep grind and highly rockered especially at the ends. They are designed for maximum agility. Blades for goalies are not as rockered and have a shallower grind.
Hockey skaters are more concerned with quick stops, starts, and changes of directions. Figure skaters focus on more fluid movements and edge quality.
WHEN TO GET YOUR SKATES SHARPENED?
We certainly know where...at PROSKATE, of course!
If you are skating only a few times a week, every six weeks to two months is a guide. Inspect your blades after each use to check for dullness and nicks. A check for sharpness commonly used is to drag your fingernail lightly over the edge - if it planes off a little sliver, they are sharp. If it just slides, then they are dull. It is not unusual for blades to wear unevenly such as inside edge more dull than outside edge or fronts more quickly than backs. You will gradually be able to determine clues to a dull blade while you are skating.
