| Radius of Hollow or Hollow Grind When skates are sharpened, they are hollow ground creating a concave surface with two distinct edges. The edges give the skater the ability to control the skates for turning, stopping, and starting. This hollow grind makes it easier for the edges to bite into the ice. The ROH is determined by the shape of the grinding wheel. Before sharpening the skates, the grinding wheel is dressed with a diamond tipped tool to the desired radius. When the skate is sharpened, the blade is ground to match the shape of the wheel, creating the hollow grind with two distinct edges. See this short video on standard ROH wheel dressing. You might also want to consider using a flat bottom dressing instead of the standard ROH. The flat bottom dressing is intended to increase the glide (and speed) of the skater without sacrificing cutting ability. Skating requires less effort to obtain the same (or better) results thus resulting in less muscle fatigue. With a standard Radius of Hollow, you must compromise between speed and cutting. A shallow hollow gives better speed, but the deep hollow enhances maneuverability. The choices with flat bottom relate primarily to cutting and edge control. For more information see the page on Flat Bottom Form Dressing. The question to be asked now is how deep should this hollow in the skate blade be? The Radius of Hollow (ROH) is measured in fractions of an inch, typically from 3/8" (very deep) to 1-1/2" (very shallow). Determining what is right for the individual can be a bit tricky and may require a little experimenting. Different people will have different ideas about what the ROH should be. In actuality, there are many factors which must be considered. Ice conditions, player size, and type of player (fast skater or stickhandler) influence what is best for the individual. The ROH used is the result of a compromise for speed and maneuverability. Personally, I recommend using the shallowest hollow that the player is comfortable with. Some examples of ROH used by current and former NHL players are: | Wayne Gretzky - 1/2" | Sidney Crosby - 9/16" | | | Joe Sakic - 5/8" | Evgeni Malkin - 11/16" | | | Chris Pronger - 7/8" | Jordan Staal - 5/8" | | | Mark Messier - 1" | Sergei Gonchar - 1-1/4" | | | Paul Coffey - 1" to 2" | Alex Ovechkin - 1/2" | | The above preferences vary greatly, but in general, about half the players use an ROH of 5/8". The other half are split relatively even between deeper and shallower hollows. Coffey was probably on the extreme end of the shallow grind, but used this to benefit his long smooth stride. It should be noted that, in the past, goaltenders normally used a shallow grind of 1" to 1-1/2". This was due to the requirement to move side to side without fear of catching an edge, causing a fall. Additionally, the goalie skate usually had a much wider blade, which resulted in more pronounced edges for a deeper grind. The newer goalie skates are being made with blades that have a thickness similar to that of a regular player's blade. Many goaltenders are now using deeper hollows in order to get more edge bite to suit the butterfly style of goaltending. Typically, they are using 3/8" to 5/8". Goalie skates are also being made without the extra cowling around the skate, which reduces the weight of the skate. Construction of the leg pads gives the additional protection required for the feet. 
After a skate has been sharpened, the edges will be sharp regardless of the depth of the hollow. Speed skaters use a flat hollow to allow for more speed, but they sacrifice on turning ability. Obviously, this type of sharpening would not be good for a hockey player. So, the question that must be asked is not whether the skates are sharp enough, but is the hollow deep enough? If, after sharpening, the player says that the skates are not sharp enough, what he/she is really saying is that there is not enough edge to suit his/her style of play, and a deeper hollow is wanted. The ice hardness must also be considered. On soft ice, the skates will tend to sink in deeper and a shallower hollow may be desired. Conversely, when the ice is hard the skate may have a tendency to slip. In this case, a deeper ROH may be necessary to overcome the problem. Generally speaking, a shallow hollow will tend to increase the skater's speed as there is less friction between the blade and the ice and a better glide is produced. This also results in less energybeing used to skate. Using less energy means that there will be less leg fatigue. On the other hand, a deep hollow will allow for quicker, tighter turns and better stopping due to more bite on the edge of the skate. This is where the compromise has to be determined. If the player's skates seem to drag and he/she is not getting the usual speed, the hollow may be too deep. Conversely, if the player feels that maneuverability is not as good as normal, the hollow may be too shallow. Lighter players can tolerate a deeper ROH as they do not have much weight bearing down on the ice, while heavier players may find they are working very hard and not getting the desired speed. Another thing to keep in mind is that a deep hollow will produce more fragile edges, which are subject to damage, so, additional care must be given to these skates. They will also require more frequent sharpening to hold the edge. After reading this information, you might be wondering what the skate shops give you for a hollow when you just walk in for a skate sharpening. As you might expect, this will be different from place to place. Some will say 1/2 inch; others say 5/8 inch, while others might not even be able to tell you what the machine is set for. In some cases, you will not be allowed to get anything but what the shop has set as its standard. No matter what you are told, if the grinding wheel is not properly dressed before EVERY sharpening, the hollow grind will not be accurate. Each time the wheel is used, it is worn down causing less of a hollow. I bring this up as I know that many, if not most, places will sharpen multiple pairs of skates before dressing the wheel. So, if you are not fortunate enough to be the first sharpening after the wheel has been dressed, you may not be getting what you think. Personally, I tend to go with a shallower grind of 11/16 inch as my standard hollow. This is a true setting as I will dress the wheel for every pair of skates and sometimes for each skate if necessary. I recommend that the skater go with as shallow a hollow as possible without sacrificing maneuverability. On the other hand, I will give the skater any hollow grind setting that is requested. Do not hesitate to ask for your preferred ROH. Additional Sharpening and Skate Information |
FAQs
Shallow Hollow
An interesting fact worth noting is that NHL players tend to, on average, skate on much flatter RoHs than your typical recreational player. One NHL team that we are close to claims that greater than 50% of the players are at 5/8” RoH and larger with many in the 3/4”, 7/8”, and 1” RoH range.
What radius should I get on my hockey skates? ›
The most common radius of hollow cuts are ½” and 5/8” for skate sharpening shops because it provides the best balance between edge depth and glide speed.
What edge do NHL players use? ›
It's a 3-millimeter-wide piece of steel hollowed out down the middle in an inverted U to create two edges. An NHL player uses both edges on both skates, like a skier shifting weight from side to side during turns. Most recreational players just want their skates sharpened.
What sharpening radius do NHL players use? ›
Most skates are sharpened by cutting an arc in between the two edges, known as the radius of hollow (ROH). This is measured in inches. Hockey player and goalie skates are often sharpened with a ROH from 3/8” up to 1-1/2”.
What blade Hollow do NHL players use? ›
A 1/2” hollow is pretty standard for most players in the League – not too deep, not too shallow and gives a little bit of ability ... The amount of hollow is based on personal preference and style of play, among other things.
What is the most popular hockey curve? ›
A moderate curve depth (1/2”) is the most popular and will help improve puck control, improve the ability to lift the puck easier (compared to slight), all while still having a good backhand. A deep curve depth will provide the most control thanks to the blade being able to really cup the puck.
What skate sharpening does Connor McDavid use? ›
Connor McDavid uses custom Tydan Performance Blades. Connor McDavid runs a 10' profile. We sell Tydan Performance Blades.
What radius do Bauer skates come with? ›
Each blade comes with a 10' radius that excels at stability and a steel height of 21mm to give players exceptional turning and longer steel lifespan.
What skate hollow do pros use? ›
In turn, the size of the hollow on your skate blade will affect how the skate feels and performs on the ice. There are several different types of hollows to choose from, but pro shops will commonly use 1/2” as their “standard” cut.
What hollow do speed skaters use? ›
Speedskate blades should be sharpened every 2-6 hours of use. They are “flat ground” with a 90 degree angle, whereas hockey and figure skates are “hollow ground”. The blades must be sharpened by hand, and will be ruined if sharpened like hockey skates.
Typically, most skate sharpeners will use a hollow of 7/16, 1/2 or 5/8 as a default if they aren't given any specific instructions. Generally, younger and more inexperience players utilize a deeper hollow of 3/8 to ½.
How sharp should ice hockey skates be? ›
Your hockey skates should be sharp enough to ensure the blades have bite and allow you to turn and stop with confidence. Sharp edges mean that the inside and outside edges of your skate blade are razor-thin, clean and without burrs or nicks.
Do NHL players sharpen their skates between periods? ›
Each player also has his own preference as to how often his skates are sharpened. Some players may go a couple of games between sharpenings, while others may even request that their skates are sharpened between periods. Occasionally, a player will even change the depth of his hollow depending on ice conditions.
What sharpness do NHL players get their skates sharpened? ›
The higher the number, the flatter the cut. Players used to regularly ask for a 3/8ths or half-inch cut (pointy, high); now it's commonplace for them to use a much shallower hollow. Montreal's Jesperi Kotkaniemi skates on 11/16ths. NHL refs, for whom glide is paramount, typically sharpen at around an inch.
What radius are CCM skates? ›
Runner Radius: 10 ft.
What's the best sharpening for hockey? ›
The 1/2″ radius would be our typical recommendation because it is the perfect blend of “glide” and “bite.” Some players opt for the 3/8″ cut, but you are definitely sacrificing some “glide,” which can in turn affect your overall speed on the ice.
What skate is used most in the NHL? ›
The NHL's Most Popular Gear
| Skates | Players |
|---|
| Supreme Ultra Sonic | 78 |
| Supreme Mach | 75 |
| Vapor 2X Pro | 68 |
| JetSpeed FT4 Pro | 68 |
1 more rowOne of the first NHL teams to be using the flat bottom v skate sharpening method was the St. Louis blues, now over 20 NHL teams are using this method, quite a bold statement for a technique that just took off at the beginning of the year!
What curve is P92 Bauer? ›
CURVES EQUIVALENCES
| BAUER | CCM | VERBERO |
|---|
| P92 / P92M | P29 | V92 |
| P88 | P40 | V88 |
| PM9 | P14 | V90 |
| P28 | P28 | V28 |
9 more rowsSo, the CCM P29 (Crosby) is essentially the same as the Bauer P92 -- they're crazy similar and, all told, it's a good curve for kids. The other option, the P28 (McDavid) is another banana curve -- hardly different from the similarly named P29 -- but the toe is different.
Used by more than 25 NHL teams, the Sparx Sharpener produces professional results with ease.
What skates do Sidney Crosby use? ›
Equipment History
| Type | Changing From | Changing To |
|---|
| Helmet | New | CCM Fitlite 80 |
| Pants | New | CCM |
| Skates | New | CCM Ribcor 80K |
| Stick | New | CCM Ribcor Reckoner |
3 more rowsSome players sharpen their skates before every game and others may drop their skates for sharpening only once or twice a year. If you skate twice a week, try a monthly sharpening schedule.
What is the most common skate profile? ›
Brand new skates or brand new blades are going to have some sort of generic profile right from the factory. Different brands use different standard profiles for their blades, but 9′ and 11′ are the most common.
Which is better CCM or Bauer? ›
Bauer equipment is more accurate when it comes to sizes and also has better quality overall. Other than the equipment aspect of the brands, another factor plays in: pricing. The most expensive pieces of equipment are the skates and sticks. The majority of people use Bauer more because of the cheaper prices.
What Hollow Do NHL goalies use? ›
While there is quite a bit of variance, the vast majority of NHL goalies cut their skates between 9/16” and 3/8” which reflects the current common styles of play.
Is 5 8 a good skate sharpening? ›
5/8 (Shallow) grind is what most figure skaters skate on. This gives you a good flowing edge and has little friction on the ice. 1/2 (Standard) grind will be a lot more forgiving when landing a jump giving a sharper edge to land on.
Can hockey skates be too sharp? ›
While your skates can never be too sharp, they can certainly be too dull and that can take a whole lot of fun out of the game. For those skaters who do feel their skates are too sharp at times, we recommend reviewing our post on selecting an ROH. You should experiment with a slightly shallower radius.
Which skates is best for speed? ›
- Chicago Skates Bullet Men's Speed Roller Skate. ...
- Moxi Skates - Beach Bunny - Fashionable Womens Roller Skates. ...
- Crazy Skates Retro Roller Skates | Adjustable or Fixed Sizes | Classic Quad Skates for Women and Girls. ...
- Riedell Skates - Dart - Quad Roller Speed Skates.
Tucking the arms allows you to save energy for when you'll need it in the final bell-lap sprint of that 5,000-meter speedskate. The finishing stride involves swinging both arms to give the skater an added boost of momentum, but there's only so long a skater can go with such a move.
The clap skate (also called clapper skates, clapskates, slap skates, slapskates, from Dutch klapschaats) is a type of ice skate used in speed skating. Unlike in traditional skates where the blade is rigidly fixed to the boot, clap skates have the blade attached to the boot by a hinge at the front.
What skates do Auston Matthews use? ›
Skater Roster
| Name | Position | Skates |
|---|
| Mitch Marner"> Mitch Marner #16 | Right Wing | TRUE SVH Custom |
| Auston Matthews"> Auston Matthews #34 | Center | CCM Tacks AS-V Pro |
| Victor Mete"> Victor Mete #98 | Defenseman | Bauer Vapor HyperLite |
| Jake Muzzin"> Jake Muzzin #8 | Defenseman | Bauer Vapor HyperLite |
24 more rowsPlayers Using These Skates
| Player Name | Team |
|---|
| Jacob MacDonald | Colorado Avalanche |
| Connor Mackey | Calgary Flames |
| Josh Mahura | Florida Panthers |
| John Marino | New Jersey Devils |
70 more rowsYou can get your skates sharpened anywhere from 1/8th of an inch to one inch. 1/8th would be the sharpest, and one inch would be the least sharp. The majority of pros use something with a shallower hollow, but preference does widely vary.
What is the difference between 5 8 and 1 2 skate sharpening? ›
The 5/8″ skate sharpening hollow provides skaters with less grip than the 1/2″ because it has a shallower depth and does not bite deep into the ice. In contrast, 1/2″ hollows penetrate the surface deeper due to the sharper edge. Therefore, those with 1/2″-hollowed skates have better grip and an easier time balancing.
How many passes should you do when sharpening skates? ›
For a routine sharpening, 4-5 “grinding” passes and one “finish” pass should be plenty, but one trick that I recommend using is to mark the bottom of your skate blade on the heel, middle, and toe of the blade with a sharpie prior to sharpening.
Is 4 inches of ice safe to skate on? ›
Minimum ice thickness should be:
15 cm for walking or skating alone.
How often do professional hockey players sharpen their skates? ›
Here's How Many Times You Can Sharpen Hockey Skates:
Elite players sharpen them after every 2nd or 3rd game. However the more you sharpen them, the quicker they'll wear down over time—and blades typically last 5-8 years.
Should I wear thin or thick socks to ice skate? ›
Wear thin socks, do not wear extra thick socks which you think will keep your feet warm. Thick socks are meant to keep your feet warmer by insulating them with more material. Thick socks actually do the opposite of what you think they will do because of all their extra materials.
What skate radius do NHL players use? ›
Most skates are sharpened by cutting an arc in between the two edges, known as the radius of hollow (ROH). This is measured in inches. Hockey player and goalie skates are often sharpened with a ROH from 3/8” up to 1-1/2”.
The sharp edges on hockey skate blades can dig deeply into the ice, allowing a player to accelerate quickly or stop on a dime using the "hockey stop." The friction between the blade and the ice is minimized because the surface of the ice is so slippery, and because only a small portion of the skate's blade is actually ...
How many years do hockey skates last? ›
Anywhere from 1 – 20 years. It totally depends on quality of components, upkeep and maintenance, the type of skating you do, and how often you skate. The wheels may be the first to go, but they can be changed. The key is to clean and maintain your bearings, wheels and other parts to help them last.
What hollow do pros use? ›
There are several different types of hollows to choose from, but pro shops will commonly use 1/2” as their “standard” cut. The 1/2” hollow offers a respectable mix of glide and control for most players but adjusting the depth of the hollow can offer several benefits when done correctly.
What edge does Connor McDavid use? ›
Connor McDavid started this unique training with power edge pro almost a decade ago.
What kind of skate sharpening does McDavid use? ›
Connor McDavid uses custom Tydan Performance Blades.
What curve do NHL players use? ›
Mid-curves are the most common. They're better for stick-handling than heel curves while retaining a decent sweet spot on both the forehand and backhand. Toe curves twist down as they bend, making them great for danglers who favor quick wrist shots.
Who uses P92 curve? ›
What is the best cut for hockey skates? ›
The 1/2″ radius would be our typical recommendation because it is the perfect blend of “glide” and “bite.” Some players opt for the 3/8″ cut, but you are definitely sacrificing some “glide,” which can in turn affect your overall speed on the ice.
What sharpness do NHL players use? ›
The higher the number, the flatter the cut. Players used to regularly ask for a 3/8ths or half-inch cut (pointy, high); now it's commonplace for them to use a much shallower hollow. Montreal's Jesperi Kotkaniemi skates on 11/16ths. NHL refs, for whom glide is paramount, typically sharpen at around an inch.
Is McDavid more skilled than Gretzky? ›
In Gretzky's first seven seasons, he scored 481 goals. On the other hand, McDavid scored "only" 232 goals in the same amount of time. Over the course of his career, Wayne Gretzky scored 894 goals. That is going to be very, very difficult to match and even harder to beat.
