How Do You Sharpen Brand New Skates?
Sharpening brand new skates is a crucial first step before hitting the ice, as factory edges are typically not sharp enough for optimal performance. The process often involves using a specialized sharpener and completing several passes, followed by essential deburring.
Why Sharpen New Skates?
New skate blades come with a protective coating and uneven edges straight from the factory. Sharpening creates a clean, precise hollow and sharp edges that allow you to grip the ice effectively for skating, turning, and stopping.
The Sharpening Process
According to a reference detailing the use of a Sparx Sharpener, sharpening new skates involves specific steps and a set number of passes:
- Placement: The skate is secured in the sharpener.
- Multiple Passes: The sharpening machine makes passes back and forth along the blade. The reference notes adding "four more passes" after an initial set.
- Total Passes: A significant number of passes are required to achieve the desired hollow and edge sharpness. The reference mentions that "after a total of 10 passes," further work is done.
- Deburring: After completing the necessary passes with the sharpener, deburring is essential. This involves removing the small metal burrs or shavings created on the sides of the blade during sharpening. The reference states, "I spend more time deburring until the edges feel perfect."
Summary of Steps (Based on Reference)
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Place the skate in the sharpener. | Secure the skate properly. |
| 2. Sharpening | Run passes through the machine. | Example mentions adding 4 passes. |
| 3. Completion | Achieve target total passes. | Example mentions reaching a total of 10 passes. |
| 4. Finishing | Deburr the edges. | Continue until edges are perfectly smooth. |
Deburring is a critical step and may take longer than the sharpening passes themselves to ensure the edges are clean and provide maximum glide and control.
Choosing a Sharpener
While professional shops use various machines, home sharpeners like the Sparx Sharpener referenced offer a convenient way to perform consistent sharpening. Regardless of the tool, the principle remains the same: creating the correct hollow and sharp edges through controlled abrasion and finishing with thorough deburring.
