Sharpening question

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

I'm an intermediate skater. For some time I had my blades at 1/2 and after awhile it began to feel and little too "grippy" I guess. Then I have had them sharpened at 5/8 which is the next above 1/2 correct? The first few times they felt like what I was going for and now the last two they just don't feel right almost lilke they haven't been sharpened. The guy asked me last time why I would want them sharpened at 5/8 if I actually played, he mentioned a lot of refs do the 5/8. I guess what I'm asking is 5/8 the next step in the sharpening level after 1/2? If it is then maybe I should be looking at t blades for a more consistent sharpen? Don't know, but I'm a little frustrated at the moment. Thanks

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[MikeD]

Are you checking the blades for even edges etc etc? There is more to the grind than just what ROH. I always suggest a person find a grinder they like and make every effort to have the same person repeating your grinds.

 

[Heat McManus]

I'm an intermediate skater. For some time I had my blades at 1/2 and after awhile it began to feel and little too "grippy" I guess. Then I have had them sharpened at 5/8 which is the next above 1/2 correct? The first few times they felt like what I was going for and now the last two they just don't feel right almost lilke they haven't been sharpened. The guy asked me last time why I would want them sharpened at 5/8 if I actually played, he mentioned a lot of refs do the 5/8. I guess what I'm asking is 5/8 the next step in the sharpening level after 1/2? If it is then maybe I should be looking at t blades for a more consistent sharpen? Don't know, but I'm a little frustrated at the moment. Thanks

A lot of players also use 5/8. Paul Coffey used an even shallower hollow and he did pretty well.

I found that when I was using 5/8 i needed to dig in more. Also, they felt like they lost their edges quicker (luckily I worked in the shop and was able to sharpen them whenever I needed).

Were you skating on the same ice each time? If the ice is very hard it can be a little more difficult using 5/8.

 

[hexrae]

Goalies typically do 5/8, which isn't as sharp as 1/2. So your moving in the right direction if you're looking for something less "grippy".

 

[Heat McManus]

Goalies typically do 5/8, which isn't as sharp as 1/2. So your moving in the right direction if you're looking for something less "grippy".

Most shops have the wheel set at 1 for a goalie skate.

 

[Jacob]

9/16ths would be in between 1/2 and 5/8ths.

That's what I'm currently at.

 

[sc37]

Yeah I tell them to give me either 5/8 or 9/16. It might just be the ice...sometimes it's soft ice and I feel like I'm sliding a bit more.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

Are you checking the blades for even edges etc etc? There is more to the grind than just what ROH. I always suggest a person find a grinder they like and make every effort to have the same person repeating your grinds.

Checked my edges yesterday. They seemed ok. Also, I don't really have an choice of who I have grind. The place I go to is almost an hour away and about the only option I have. The other place where I used to get it done gave me no edge on either side the last time Should have seen me go out the first time... I can laugh now,but was I pissed.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

A lot of players also use 5/8. Paul Coffey used an even shallower hollow and he did pretty well.

I found that when I was using 5/8 i needed to dig in more. Also, they felt like they lost their edges quicker (luckily I worked in the shop and was able to sharpen them whenever I needed).

Were you skating on the same ice each time? If the ice is very hard it can be a little more difficult using 5/8.

Playing at about 3 or 4 different rinks. One place is pretty soft and the other goes to the hard extreme which I played yesterday morning. I have noticed that the edge seems to go a little quicker.. Thanks

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

9/16ths would be in between 1/2 and 5/8ths.

That's what I'm currently at.

Going to have to give that a try. Thanks

 

[Heat McManus]

Playing at about 3 or 4 different rinks. One place is pretty soft and the other goes to the hard extreme which I played yesterday morning. I have noticed that the edge seems to go a little quicker.. Thanks

The harder the ice is, the less you will dig in. Keep trying, you'll find a happy medium.

 

[MikeD]

A lot of todays goalies are using a combination grind. A 7/16th at the heal and toe with a 1/2" ROH along the flat. I still use the old fashioned 1" ROH. When searching for your "happy" grind it is better to start with a larger ROH and move down in 1/8" increments. WHen you hit a grind you DONT like move back up to the previous grind you did. Going up in size instead of down costs you lots of extra blade loss for each regrind.



A decent site for a skate sharpening 101 : http://noicingsports.com/skate_sharpening_radius.html

 

[sc37]

There's some place where you can send in your blades and have them sharpened and sent back to you if the only good place is an hour away. I know of a few people on these boards that do that...the place eludes my memory right now though. They do it cause they hate T-Blades.

 

[VisionQuest*]

Modern goaltenders use 1/2. Butterfly pushes etc require it. I always run 1/2" now. Probably the most beneficial change Ive made to my game is changing to 1/2"

I run my player skates at 3/4" and love it.

 

[ALF AmericanLionsFan]

There's some place where you can send in your blades and have them sharpened and sent back to you if the only good place is an hour away. I know of a few people on these boards that do that...the place eludes my memory right now though. They do it cause they hate T-Blades.

Man, not sure how good that would work considering I skate about 3 - 4 times a week.

 

[sc37]

Man, not sure how good that would work considering I skate about 3 - 4 times a week.

Best way to do it is to get another pair of blades for your skates. If you have Tuuks, kinda screw since you need a Tuuk wrench to get them off and it's a pain.

Kinda odd no good sharpenings in Clevland...where all the good OH hockey players come from too!

 

[Greeneye]

There's some place where you can send in your blades and have them sharpened and sent back to you if the only good place is an hour away. I know of a few people on these boards that do that...the place eludes my memory right now though. They do it cause they hate T-Blades.

http://www.noicingsports.com/