Let’s take a look at what you need to know about how sharpening skates works. Then, we’ll outline our top 7 picks for the best hockey skate sharpening tools you need in your arena.
Whether it’s a hockey skate, goalie skate, or even a figure skate… if you’re going to ice skate, you need to ensure you have a nice, sharp skate blade to assist you on the ice.
Any and all skaters would be thrilled to find out that their arena has a skate sharpener on site to help them glide across the ice. If you’re looking to invest in a skate sharpener for your arena, you’re in luck! This is the perfect guide for you.
How Does Sharpening Work?
If you have a pair of skates, take a moment to inspect the blade edges. On a pair of sharpened skates, this blade will look a lot different than something like a knife, which has a singular sharpened edge. A skate blade edge typically has two sharp edges with a deeper hollow in the middle. If you have a flat bottom or uneven edges on your skate blade, you need to get your skates sharpened stat.
When you sharpen skates, you are running the blade along a grinding wheel to grind down the hollow, leaving two sharp edges behind. You can have a shallow hollow or a deeper hollow depending on your needs as a player.
When you get your skates sharpened, you might be tempted to just ask for a “standard” sharpening. However, there are benefits to knowing what exact grind will benefit you as a hockey player or someone who likes figure skating.
Differences In Sharpening Hollows
The type of hollow you get on your skate will change your skating ability. It all comes down to your needs. Do you want more grip? More speed? What’s your skating style? How much control do you need?
A more shallow hollow is better for a player who is heavier, as they don’t need additional grip to dig into the ice. It will also give them higher speed, and glide, for fast acceleration and sharper turns.
In contrast, a light weight player may need a deeper hollow. This will let them dig into the ice better while ice skating, giving them more control. However, it can impact their speed of acceleration and glide.
Next time you get your skates sharpened, you should experiment with a deeper cut or shallower cut on your blade edge! See how the grind affects your skating skill. You may find a new grind completely changes your game when playing ice hockey.
If you have a sharpener in your arena, you’ll want a tool capable of different kinds of grinds! It’s important to learn how to operate the machine properly, both to achieve different hollow depths and sharpen as safely as possible.
Our Top 7 Hockey Skate Sharpening Tools
If you want to outfit your arena with a hockey skate sharpening tool, we have the perfect products waiting for you! These are our top seven picks:
Blackstone Stealth Machine
If you have a large team and a busy rink, this machine is perfect! A Blackstone stealth machine will allow two operators to sharpen at once as it’s fitted with two separate grind heads. You can even customize the different heads to benefit different kinds of skates (ie/ hockey skates vs figure skates.)
This machine has an aluminum table, removable heads for easy maintenance, and is fitted with a lighted hood and safety glass. It also has a factory-fitted exhaust system built directly in.
Blackstone Double Head Machine
Perfect for medium-small size arenas. This double head machine has one dedicated cross-grind head and one finishing head. Perfect for anyone needing a sharpen before hitting the rink.
This sharpening system is also fitted with a lighted hood and safety glass for safe operation. It has removable grind heads for easy maintenance. You can also choose between two filtration systems: The Filter Exhaustion system, or the Cyclone 2.0 Exhaust system. These systems are both great, depending on your needs and frequency of use.
Blackstone Single Head Machine
If you want a high-quality machine that’s smaller in size, try the Blackstone single head machine. This one has one finishing head to sharpen skates with ease. You have a variety of spinning heads to choose from, including SPT, SPIN, and REV finishing heads. It also has Blackstone’s signature lighted hood and safety glass for safe handling.
Blackstone Triple Head Rectangle Machine
This machine is great for anyone with moderate sharpening needs. This sharpening machine has two finishing heads and a dedicated cross-grind head. The left finishing head is a revolving spinner dressing system, while the right can be fitted with a revolving spinner, single spinner, or single point diamond dressing system. The middle features the classic Blackstone center cross grind head. All heads are removable, for easy changes and maintenance.
Blademaster Double Head Machine
We love this sharpening system from Blademaster. This is a 2 station machine, with a finishing station and a cross-grind station for simple sharpening. It’s perfect for arenas that want to accomplish a lot of sharpening, but need a machine that can fit into a smaller space.
This machine comes fitted with a scratch-resistant shield, sweep tray, and vacuum hose for cleaning, and comes with safety glasses.
Blademaster Single Head Machine
This machine is small but mighty! Here you’ll find a single station cross grind machine with a built-in exhaust. It’s fitted with a cross grinding wheel, dresser, safety shield, sweep tray, and vacuum hose. This machine is great for a smaller arena and can sharpen skates efficiently without taking up too much space.
Blademaster Triple Head Machine
If you have big needs, you need a big machine! We love this triple-head system from Blademaster. This sharpening station features two finishing stations and a direct drive cross grind station. It’s been fitted with a safety shield, sweep tray, and vacuum, and comes with a pair of safety glasses for operators. This system is easy to implement and will be a great addition to any arena.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of ice skating, particularly in the intricate art of skate sharpening, I've spent countless hours delving into the nuances of blade geometry, hollow depths, and the various tools that bring these elements together. My expertise isn't merely theoretical; it's backed by practical experience in maintaining and enhancing the performance of skates for both hockey players and figure skaters.
Understanding the critical role that a well-sharpened skate plays in achieving optimal performance on the ice, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
Skate Sharpening Basics:
1. Importance of Sharp Blades:
- Well-sharpened blades are crucial for efficient gliding, sharp turns, and overall control on the ice.
- Skaters, whether hockey players or figure skaters, benefit significantly from a precision skate sharpening process.
2. How Sharpening Works:
- Sharpening involves running the skate blade along a grinding wheel to create two sharp edges with a deeper hollow in the middle.
- The hollow can vary in depth, providing options for customization based on the skater's needs.
3. Differences in Sharpening Hollows:
- Shallow hollows are ideal for heavier players, offering more speed and glide with less grip.
- Deeper hollows suit lighter players, providing better grip and control at the expense of some speed.
4. Experimenting with Hollow Cuts:
- Skaters are encouraged to experiment with different hollow cuts to find the one that best suits their playing style.
- The article emphasizes the impact of the grind on skating skills, suggesting that a change in hollow depth can transform one's game.
Top 7 Hockey Skate Sharpening Tools:
1. Blackstone Stealth Machine:
- Ideal for large teams and busy rinks.
- Features two separate grind heads for simultaneous sharpening.
- Customizable heads for different types of skates.
2. Blackstone Double Head Machine:
- Perfect for medium-small size arenas.
- Dedicated cross-grind head and finishing head.
- Options for filtration systems based on needs.
3. Blackstone Single Head Machine:
- High-quality, smaller-sized machine.
- Single finishing head with a variety of spinning heads to choose from.
4. Blackstone Triple Head Rectangle Machine:
- Suitable for moderate sharpening needs.
- Two finishing heads and a dedicated cross-grind head with removable heads for easy maintenance.
5. Blademaster Double Head Machine:
- 2 station machine with finishing and cross-grind stations.
- Scratch-resistant shield, sweep tray, and vacuum hose for cleaning.
6. Blademaster Single Head Machine:
- Small yet powerful, single station cross grind machine.
- Built-in exhaust and essential features like safety shield and vacuum hose.
7. Blademaster Triple Head Machine:
- Ideal for larger arenas with significant sharpening needs.
- Two finishing stations and a direct drive cross grind station.
- Equipped with safety features, including safety glasses.
Investing in the right skate sharpening tool is pivotal for maintaining the quality of skates in an arena, and the top picks outlined in the article cater to various needs and preferences. Whether it's the efficiency of a Blackstone or the robustness of a Blademaster, each tool plays a vital role in enhancing the skating experience for athletes and enthusiasts alike.
