Skate Sharpening

The simple idea

Sharpening creates two edges on the bottom of your blade with a shallow groove between them. That groove is what gives you bite and control. Too much bite can feel grabby and exhausting. Too little bite can feel slippery and unpredictable.

Figure skates vs hockey skates

Figure skates often benefit from a slightly less aggressive feel because many skaters want clean gliding, controlled turns, and stable landings without feeling stuck to the ice. Hockey skates often use a deeper groove because quick stops, tight turns, and acceleration demand more bite.

There is no universal rule. Your weight, skill level, and skating style matter as much as the sport.

What "ROH" means

You may hear people talk about "ROH," which stands for "radius of hollow." This is the depth of the groove that is cut into your blade. A smaller number usually means more bite. A larger number usually means more glide.

How often should you sharpen

There is not one schedule that works for everyone. A helpful starting point is to sharpen more often when:

• •You skate frequently each week.
• •You practice jumps, stops, or strong edges.
• •You feel your edges slipping during turns.

You may be able to go longer between sharpenings if you skate casually and mostly glide. The best signal is performance. If you are working harder to do normal skills, it might be time.

Signs you might need a sharpening

• You feel like your skates slide out during turns.
• You cannot hold an edge without wobbling.
• Stopping feels inconsistent or takes more effort.
• You feel unstable on one foot even on basic skills.
• Your blades look shiny and rounded along the bottom.

Signs of a poor sharpening

• ×One skate feels different than the other.
• ×Your skates pull to one side.
• ×The edges feel uneven.
• ×You have sudden chatter or catching that was not there before.

What to ask before you sharpen

If you want to avoid surprises, ask these questions:

• Do you sharpen figure skates and hockey skates regularly?
• What ROH do you recommend for my level and style?
• Can you match my last sharpening, if I liked it?
• How do you handle nicks and rocker profile?
• How long does it take, and do I need an appointment?

If you have a coach, ask what they prefer. A consistent ROH is often more important than the perfect ROH.

How to find sharpening near you

Many rinks offer sharpening through a pro shop, but not all do. Some shops only sharpen hockey skates. Some sharpen both. The best approach is to:

• •Check the rink's official website for "pro shop" or "services."
• •Call ahead and ask whether they sharpen your type of skates.
• •Ask a coach or experienced skater where they go locally.

If you are traveling, do not wait until your skates are unusable. Get them done before your trip if you can.