Skate sharpness???

[MillerTime247]

Have slowly moved to playing some ice after much roller and still don't feel as comfortable moving in my ice skates as I do in my inline skates (both Bauer 5000 models). Currently have my ice skates at a 1/2" radius and they feel like maybe they're a little dull, maybe??

What would be a good inline goalie wheel to ice sharpness equivalence (sp?)

[digitalcrease]

Since you are a newbie I will help you out. You can perform a search of the vast knowledge of the BB, by hitting 'search' in the upper right.

I searched for : inline skate radius and got
» http://64.119.160.130/board/showthre...e+skate+radius

Harness this power I have bestowed upon you for future reference.

jagger

[bedris]

Wow! Jagger's turning into as big of a jackass as I am. He should probably stop playing drop-in with me at Hockey Workout.

[backup_goalie]

haha, may the search nazis unite!

Actually, 1/2 seems awful sharp. I'm running on 7/8 and that already seems a bit sharp. Oh well, whatever fits....

[Soritong]

I always use a 3/4

[Timberwoof]

First, you have to accept that moving on ice is simply different from moving on wheels, and there is a limit to how much you canmake your ice skates work like your roller skates.

Second, you should realize that on ice you can move in new ways that you can't move on wheels. With your skates sharpened appropriately, and with the right skills, you can move sideways on your skates. The trick is to set your leading skate so it's at a right angle to the ice. When both edges are equally on the ice, the skate will slide. (The trailing foot is dug in to provide traction for the push.) This all comes with practice.

How much do you weigh? Smaller goalies tend to like deeper hollows (shorter radius) so the skates cut in more. Also, goalies who skate a lot like deeper hollows as well, for they provide more sideways traction for maneuvering.

The key to making the change, of course, is to practice...

[habs96]

I myselff use a 1" hallow cut. I find that there is no awkward period.



Habs96

[stollie_the_goalie]

I usually use a 1/2", and sometimes a 3/8". I'm trying to slowly change. I like my skates really sharp so I can move more explosively.

-stollie-

[mbertsch]

I use 3/4", and find it works pretty well. There's only an "awkward period" if I don't sharpen regularly, and get used to dull skates. So I try to get 'em sharpened regularly.

[alw]

3/4 here. For me deeper inhibits lateral movement and more shallow slows me down on everything else. Many goalies will use a 3/4 or maybe closer to a 1/2 but then never get there skates sharpened so they are sharp at first but generally are very dull the majority of the time. Thus the only benefit to the original cut was longevity. I would recommend finding what you like and getting them sharpened regularly.

[threefive]

I use a 5/8" hollow and sharpen every 3 games. I was considering switching to 1/2" but the ice here is really bad right now and it wouldn't make sense for me to go with a deeper cut.

[Arctother]

I skate on 7/16ths hollow. Sharpen using a stone type gizmo before every game. However, let it be noted my stone type gizmo does not allow me to make it really super sharp.

BTW, it's called a blade doctor.

-Arc

[robbf]

I would go with Timber's advice - generally speaking I think he nailed it, go with a starting point based on your weight.
Most smaller, lighter guys go with a deeper hollow, while wide-asses such as myself tend towards a more shallow cut. Personally I have wavered between 3/4 to 7/8 and have found the 3/4 more to my liking, as long as I am playing on relatively hard ice.

Per Timber's requrest - I weigh about 225 w/ no gear and use CCM size 9 skates. I prefer a sharper skate w/ a 3/4 cut.

[Supergoalie]

I always get my skates sharpened at 1/2 inch. It allows me to get good lateral movement. I experimented with 3/8 and 5/8 but it just didn't feel right. You just have to try and see what works best for you. The trouble I had was finding someone who would give me a consistant sharpening, make sure they know what they're doing before you entrust them with your blades.

[leafy_1331]

i perfer using a 1/2 radius, been meaning to experiment with 3/8 sometime

usually swipe it once with a stone about every 5 hours of ice-time, depends on where i am playing tho.. i'll shaprpen them after i play pond hockey, or before i go to the slushpile known as Iceland (nice facility, horrible ice in the daytime)