• Ever hear someone say “my skates feel too sharp”, or “I just got these sharpened and they feel dull”? Well that’s because the majority of parents that drop off skates for their kids or even themselves are not asking for the right type of sharpening. The simplest way to understand the difference of sharpens and what would fit for you, is this;

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• On one end of the scale is a deeper hollow (or smaller radius, like a ⅜”) grinding wheel which creates more “bite” on the ice. Which means you “sink” into the ice more which leads to more controlled turning, stopping, accelerating. But sometimes skaters feel  “slower” and may be that person that says “my skates feel too sharp”.

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• When on the other end of the scale we have the more shallow hollow (or larger radius, like a 1”) grinding wheel which creates less of the ''biting” and ''sinking” feeling to your edges but instead a feeling that it's easy to “glide”. Skaters traditionally would have a higher top end speed with this option but lack a little on the tight turns, maneuverability, and ability to stop sharp or quickly.

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• Currently Game 7 offers the most traditionally used sharpening depths in and around Calgary based on our ice temperature. And if we don't have a certain depth you are looking for, send a message to a Game7 team member and we’re sure we can make something happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smaller hollow- More Bite (e.g. 3/8”)

• Deeper cut into the ice, edges feel “really sharp”

• Better for lighter players who dig in less to start with

• Feels like extra effort is required to skate as your skate edges dig into the ice more

• Lower top speeds

• More responsive turns and stop

• Quicker, more explosive acceleration

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Larger hollow- More glide (e.g. 7/8”)

• Shallower cut into the ice, edges feel “not that sharp”

• Better suited for heavier players that naturally sink into the ice to start with

• Feels like skating is more efficient or “easier” due to less of the skate edge sinking into ice

• Faster top speed

• Turns and stops will be less quick or sharp

• Acceleration is more limited

 

What we offer

• Standard Radius rings- “traditional” hollow that will help you choose between an edge with more bite or more glide (available in 3/8”, 7/16”, ½” for more bite and 5/8”, ¾”, 7/8” for more glide)

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Fire rings

Less traditional “flatter” bottom which offers a improved glide while still keeping the desired bite to your edge (recommended for advanced age/level of hockey and if the skater has already been skating on a “flat” bottom) (available in 3/8”, ½” for more bite and 5/8”, ¾” for more glide) 

 

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Fire Ring Pro’s

• Better gliding ability

• Better turning (more bite)

• Less fatigue

• “For pushing and gliding and being on top of the ice, there’s a huge difference” Cory Stillman, Florida Panthers

• “The concept for the V scientifically makes a lot of sense” Dr. Kelly Lockwood, president and lead scientist at The Skating Lab at Brock University

• From many reviews and posts on forums parents of minor hockey players notice an improvement in skating

 

Fire Ring Cons

• Reports from some minor hockey forums state the when you lose an edge you lose it all at once, which could mean missing the rest of the game until you can get the skate sharpened

• If it is easier to lose an edge with this grind it could result in injuries

• If the edge comes off easily then this would require frequent sharpening to keep the edge

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Skate/Blade care

• Importance of blade level

  • Even with freshly sharpened skates, if the level of your 2 edges are not perfectly lined up the sharpen wont even matter. When a new client uses Game7 for the first time, we will check your blade level before we sharpen and make sure they are perfectly even after we finish sharpening

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• How to expect your skates to look when you use Game7

  • Each pair of freshly sharpened skates will be sharpened to your specific radius/hollow

  • Blade levels checked and fixed

  • Burrs, nicks and imperfections along the edges will be smoothed out with additional sharpening runs or treatment with our honing stone

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• At home skate blade care ideas

  • Always dry and cover you blades after each use

  • Wear skate guards at all times, when you are not on the ice 

  • Keep skate guards dry and clear of any small debris like sand and pebbles.

  • Loosen the laces, open the boot and tongue as much as possible after reach use to allow the skate boot to dry properly. Mold and moisture can affect the leather of the skate boot over time.

  • Wipe down the bottom of your skate boot where the rivets are located to avoid early rusting and damage.