FAQs - Blademaster (2024)

Skate sharpening is based on creating a radius of hollow (RoH) in a skate blade, which enables the skater toskate on two sharp, square edges. There isn’t one magic RoH for every skater. Each hollow has itsadvantages and disadvantages, and each skater makes an evaluation as to which is best for them. Theprofile of a skate blade hollow is not limited to a radius – there are an infinite number of shapes that can betransmitted onto a skate blade.

The ideal RoH is best determined by the skater’s comfort level on the ice. Because you can transferessentially any number of profiles onto your blade, you really need to determine for yourself what edge youprefer to skate on. Here are some common recommendations to get you started:

This depends on how often you are skating as well as the condition of your blades. Hockey players that areoften on the ice will insist on sharpening their skates before every game. Others only require sharpeningmonthly. Most blades should be sharpened if there are signs of rust or nicks in the blade as it willcompromise the edge on your blade. Be sure to wipe down your blades before storing them as moisture left
behind will result in rust buildup.

Check the condition of your diamond tip! It should not be rounded, but have a sharp point. Be sure to turnthe tip with each dress to get a different facet of the diamond dressing the wheel. Make sure there is noplay in the dresser arm or slides. Check the spring loaded end of the dresser arm for play. The finish ofyour dress relates directly to the finish on the blade!

Though it isn't bad form to choose one way or the other, Blademaster always recommends that you sharpenfrom heel-to-toe. This is to stay consistent with contouring operations, which must be mounted heel-to-toewith the operator sharpening right to left to move with the wheel.

Since the contour (also called 'rocker' or 'profile') of the blade determines how much of the blade will be incontact with the ice, it can have a dramatic effect on skater speed, agility, and performance. Thoughchoosing a contour is often a matter of personal preference, Blademaster recommends that all new skatesbe contoured at least once at time of purchase to ensure that the left and right skates are perfectly
matched.

The Radius of Contour (RoC) describes the lengthwise curvature of the skate blade. It is sometimes referredto as the 'profile' or 'rocker' on the blade. Skates commonly have a single radius of contour (eg. 9 foot, 11foot), but Blademaster contouring systems can optimize performance by applying multiple radii or morecomplex shapes to your skates, therefore giving you improved speed and agility.

Pitch and Lie are the same thing, created by moving theapex or balance point on the blade forward or backward. When a skater is standing erect, they should be
directly on the high point of the contour; balanced between falling forward or backward.

Because contouring shapes your blades, it is important to have your skates contoured to your preferenceupon purchasing them. For maintenance purposes, you should consider re-contouring them once or twice ayear as it acts as a blank canvas for a suitable lie and radius on your blade. Should you damage your bladesyou should also consider re-contouring them.

Many factors affect the performance of a grinding wheel and the resulting finish achieved on the bottom ofthe blade. These include the type of abrasive, bond material, grit size, balance, and ultimately personalpreference, depending upon how aggressive the operator is in the sharpening process. Cost is also aconsideration. However, our most popular wheel is the 8MXRUBY.

Yes. Though it may not be required with every skate prior to sharpening, the purpose of cross grinding is toremove the old edge, which may have become dull and damaged, and to establish a grind pattern. Crossgrinding acts as a blank canvas for a suitable lie and radius on your blade (similar to the contouringprocess).

Start with a straightened blade. If your blade is bent, you will not get an accurate reading.With your skate heel-to-toe in the skate holder, you’re going to create “witness marks” (known as the“touch method”) on both the heel and toe ends of the blade. To do so, you’re going to lightly and swiftlymake contact with the wheel on both ends of the blade. It should look like this:

If your skate holder is already centered, your witness marks should be directly located in the center of yourblade.

(a) If your skate holder has cam handles: If your witness marks are not centered, you’re going to wantto adjust the cam handle on the end of the blade that isn’t centered – either adjust them up ordown depending on where your witness mark is currently located on your blade.

 If the blade is too high, then you would be adjusting your cams down.
 If the blade is too low, then you would be adjusting your cams up.

Once you have adjusted your cam, create two new witness marks on each end of your blade.

Continue to make these adjustments until your witness marks on both ends are centered on yourblade.

Once centered, you’re going to make one swift and complete pass (maintaining even pressure)across the wheel. If your blade is straight, you will see the hollow grind centered all along the entirelength of your blade. If you have achieved this, you are ready to sharpen your skates.

(b) If your skate holder has three (3) detent (or “click”) knobs:
 If the witness mark is too high on one side, lower that side by turning the knob on at thatside of the blade clockwise.

 If the witness mark is too low on one side, raise that side by turning the knob on that sideof the blade counter-clockwise.

 If the entire blade is too high, lower by turning the rear knob counter-clockwise.

 If the entire blade is too low, raise by turning the rear knob clockwise.

Note – Our High Performance family of holders (i.e. SH6000, SH7000, SH8000 etc.) are designed towork with our BR100 & BR1000 skate gages. Two clicks of the detent knobs are relative to onegraduation line shown on the gage.

Be sure to calibrate your gage to the correct specs! Start by dressing your wheel to 3/8”. When you havedone this, you’re to clean your table top of all debris. Once completed, you’re to set the height comparatorgage in front of the finishing head and slowly move it so that the two bearings are cradling both sides of thewheel. Now lock the magnet in place. Once locked into place loosen the bezel clamp and begin turning theface of the bezel until you have reached the zero (0) indicator. Retighten the bezel clamp. Now that thegage is calibrated, you need to adjust your skate holder. Lock the gage to the table top where it is clear ofeverything. With your skate in its holder, you’re to touch the heel of your blade to the gage’s bearings.Adjust the holder until your bezel reads zero (0). Do the same of the toe of your skate. Once both sides ofyour skate reads zero (0), your skate holder has been centered and you are ready to sharpen.

You may want to check for the following if you’re experiencing issues with edge squareness:

 Is your blade straight? If your blade is bent, you will not have square edges after sharpening.

 Have you properly centered your holder? Refer to the above tips on how to center your skateholder.

 Could I have over-tightened my clamp? If you over-tighten your bronze clamp assembly you will warp your skate blade.

 Have I properly removed all burrs from my blade after sharpening? These little fibers of steel can bea contributing factor to uneven edges.

If you have checked the above and are still experiencing issues, you can contact our Customer Servicedepartment at toll-free 1-888-648-7776.

A couple of things could be contributing to this. Double check the following:

 Are you maintaining consistent cutting pressure on the holder when sharpening? Individuals new tosharpening often let up on the cutting pressure once their blade meets the wheel. You must try tomaintain cutting consistency while sharpening.

 Are you using a finishing compound on your last pass? We recommend using our Gusto Glide(TSM4030) on your last pass as it should remove any remaining cross grind marks or chatter marksso long as you are maintaining consistent cutting pressure on your last pass.

 Have you recently changed your finishing wheel? Be sure that you have properly tightened thegrinding wheel nut. There shouldn’t be any play with the wheel when it has been swapped out.

 Check the condition of your diamond tip! It should not be rounded, but have a sharp point. Be sureto turn the tip with each dress to get a different facet of the diamond dressing. Make sure there isno play in the dresser arm or slides. Check the spring loaded end of the dresser arm for play. Thefinish of your dress relates directly to the finish on the blade!

If you have checked the above and are still experiencing chatter marks, we recommend contactingyour local area representative for further assistance.

It is all a matter of preference. Veteran skate sharpeners prefer our Gusto Glide (TSM4030) as it is asynthetic compound that provides you with a mirror finish without running the risk of over-polishing andgumming up your finishing wheel.

The majority of our stand-alone models will feature our filter status indicator light that will be lit when thefilter requires maintenance. With this in mind, it is important to habitually clean your filter to ensure properairflow. It is good form to clean your dust tray; depending on the volume of skates you are sharpening, youmay want to consider cleaning it daily or weekly. We recommend that you tap out your filter to rid it ofexcess debris. Be careful not to wet the filter as it is coated with a flame retardant that is soluble. When youhave noticed that cleaning the filter is no longer helping and the exhaust has diminished in suction, it is timeto change your filter.

Skate pads will discolor and they will thin out in the center of your holder. Be careful not to scratch yourtabletop due to grit buildup on your skate pads.

The skate pads are designed to peel off for quick replacement. Should you see any remnants of adhesive,please feel free to use a cleaner to remove any excess adhesive prior to the installation of the new pad.

The TSM687 is an economical diamond dresser that features a 1/15 carat diamond and is an ideal dresserfor low volume sharpening. Our TSM688 is a 1/7 carat diamond dresser that is designed with high volumesharpening in mind. Both dressers feature a diamond tip that is precisely centered in the quill to ensure thatan accurate RoH is imparted to the grinding wheel.

This all depends on how frequently you find yourself sharpening and redressing your finishing wheel. Theaverage diamond allows you to dress 1-2 grinding wheel(s) depending on how often you are redressing yourwheel. Be sure to always rotate your diamond quill to ensure even wear on your diamond; it should neverbe rounded as your diamond should always come to a point. Doing this rotation extends the life of your diamond.

Not particularly. Both diamonds will allow you to dress your wheel to the highest of standards. Keep in mind,however, that the hardness of your wheel may affect the life of your diamond. For example, our premium8GC wheel is a ceramic wheel. Because of its composition, the TSM688 would be a more suitable diamond to
use alongside this wheel due to its unit of weight. Our high performance wheels (i.e. 8VBP, 8GC, 8AS etc.) are also designed with form dressing in mind.