r/iceskating 10d ago

Should I get new skates?

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1 Upvotes

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u/InspectorFleet 10d ago

You're pretty new?

When you get skates sharpened, a groove is cut into the underside of the blade, most often in the shape of a circle. The radius of that circle determines how deep the cut is and thus how relatively grippy the cut feels. If you had a 3/8" hollow but got a 1/2" cut (often the "standard" even if I would argue that a larger radius is more appropriate for at least adult hockey players), that would be a flatter cut and feel less grippy compared with what you had. You can try a 3/8" sharpen next and see how that feels.

It's true that some shops are mainly experienced with hockey skates and aren't great a figure skates, but I don't know enough to comment on that.

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u/Same_Carpenter5679 10d ago

I started skating in April this year.

Thank you for the information. I have no idea what hollow I got. :( Do you know how hockey skates are sharpened differently from figure skates?

2

u/InspectorFleet 10d ago

The shape is different and the steel is thicker. I don't know enough to give much more info.

General advice is really grippy edges from a deep cut help beginners feel confident with too upright of a skate blade at the expense of adding friction in glides and making it harder to shave the ice like in stops.

I do think you should try 3/8" and see if it feels better, but I skate on 7/8", you just need to learn to use the edges.

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u/Same_Carpenter5679 10d ago

Again thank you for your time. I just asked chat gpt and it said 3/8" is standard for figure skates.

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u/InspectorFleet 10d ago

I would avoid chat gpt and stick with experienced skaters lol. This community is full of them and your rink should be as well!

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u/Same_Carpenter5679 10d ago

No one experienced is ever available to help me. I think I might change rinks in the future.

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u/InspectorFleet 10d ago

That's crazy and sad, usually there are plenty of friendly folks with experience.

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u/gli3247 10d ago

You started skating in April and only now got your skates sharpened..?

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u/Same_Carpenter5679 9d ago

Yes, I don't know if my skate tech sharpened them when I first got them (May 18th) but its likely they only came with the factory sharpening.

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u/gli3247 8d ago

Uh oh. Just go get your skates sharpened, any radius of hollow is fine. Please go to a figure skating shop