Invented almost 30 years ago by a Swedish skater who needed sharp skates, but who lived too far away from a sharpening shop to be able to get his skates sharpened easily, SKATEMATE has been refined and developed ever since to become the number one, hand-held Skate sharpening and conditioning tool in the World! Fully adjustable, SKATEMATE fits any skate-blade width exactly. The long-lasting ceramic-based industrial abrasive cylinder flexes to fit both hollow ground and even very thin, flat ground blades. The flexible abrasive cylinder deforms in use to match the ROH (Radius of Hollow) of the blade being sharpened, and the tough, glide-strips give a smooth sliding action that prevents scratching highly polished, expensive blades. The nearly frictionless glide-strips also allow for a snug fit and greater sharpening precision. When it comes to ice skating, having properly sharpened skates is essential for having a good time. Professional sharpening of their blades to the recommended radius will make skaters more comfortable on the ice. The hollow in ice skates refers to the groove or channel that is cut into the bottom of the blade during the sharpening process. It is the space between the two edges of the blade that are hollowed out, creating a concave curve in the blade. The depth of the hollow can vary depending on the skater's preferences and the type of skating they do.

For some people, this may seem like a lot of money, but it’s important to remember that skating is a sport that requires expensive equipment. And a bad sharpening will affect your performance on the ice. Uneven edges or dull skates can even ruin your skates and mean you need to buy new blades before their time. Also included is an additional blade holder, this allows you to sharpen removable steel that isn’t attached to the skates, such as edge steel. If your skates feel like they're sliding instead of gripping the ice, it may be time to have them sharpened. Blunt edges can make it difficult to accelerate, turn, or stop on the ice, increasing the risk of accidents. With around 3-4 hours a week, I recommend not going more than 3 weeks between sharpens in general. 20 hours of practice should be the maximum time you go.Bear in mind that the longer you go between getting your skates sharpened, the more steel will be removed from the blade during each sharpening. Frequent sharpening can prolong the length of your blades and save you money in the long run. How to look after your ice skates between sharpens

When you’re a competitive figure skater, having a sharp blade is key. Not only do dull blades make it difficult to execute jumps and spins, but they can also be dangerous. That’s why many skaters take their blades to a professional sharpener for a tune-up before competitions. There are two different sizes of hollow which determines both the energy required to “glide” on the ice and the “bite” or ability to turn and stop on the ice. The more glide, the less bite and vice versa.In addition to this, the depth of the row also plays a huge role in sharpness, with deeper rows providing a greater angle on the edge which again makes them more difficult to control. Bear in mind that you shouldn’t leave these guards on your skates when you are storing them as they do not allow the blade to breath. When it comes to Olympic ice skating, the blades on an athlete’s skates need to be as sharp as possible. This is because a sharper blade makes less noise while skating and it can cut through the ice more easily.

Grinding is the most popular way to sharpen skaters’ blades. It is a fast and easy process that produces a good edge. However, it can also remove a lot of metal, so it must be done carefully. Speed Skating Blades are definitely sharp! They have edges that are carefully groomed to a ninety-degree angle, making them incredibly efficient while speeding down the ice rink. That’s why they’re so effective, and why experts rely on them for competitive skating.So whatever your preferred choice, there’s a Blade Barber to suit your needs, and all it takes is 3 to 4 passes along each edge to complete the sharpening process. Ice Skates - Any Ice Skates that have been sharpened are deemed 2nd hand and cannot be returned unless faulty. When returning, please be sure not to place any tape on the original skate box as this will affect the resale value. Skate sharpeners are tools that are used to sharpen the blades on ice skates. They are typically electric or manual devices that use abrasive grinding wheels or honing stones to sharpen the blades. The use of a skate sharpener can help extend the life of a pair of ice skates and improve their performance on the ice. That said, it doesn’t mean that you have to stay off the ice completely! Just take extra caution while skating and make sure to wear protective gear as a precaution against any possible nasty cuts on your feet and legs. Sharp edges create more glide as they float above the ice surface rather than sinking below it. This will help you get more speed and smoother adjustments while turning and stopping.