Sharpened Skates and now I Suck! HELP

[Campoli]

Hey there, new member but long time lurker and follower of this great site!

So last year I decided to pickup a new pair of skates after a long hiatus. I grabbed a lower tier pair of Vapors for $120 from Canadian Tire and had them sharpened. I adjusted to them pretty well and skated with them recreationally all last winter, adding in stick and puck and into this season. I could skate on edge pretty well, sharp turns, transitions, forward beginner type crossovers and backwards as well. Keep in mind I did not sharpen the skates again after the initial purchase.

Well a few days ago I decide to give them a sharpen as I thought I'd benefit from a sharper edge. So bring them to Sportchek and ask for a sharpen. They did not ask me what type of hollow I'd like, nor did I even know about this until recently.

So I take to the ice yesterday and boy what a rude awakening. I immediately found that the skates dug Ito the ice much more, rather than the gliding I was used to. I almost broke my neck attempting a hockey stop in the left direction and was like wtf is going on!? It was very frustrating as I thought, wow do I really suck this much in reality? Lol I kept at it and managed to get into crossovers and hockey stops to my left side (albeit not well). I went again to an outdoor skate last night after trying the penny trick to slightly dull my blades and also some scrapes on the ice. A bit better but still not comfortable. Although now I think I may have messed up the blades as the sharpness feels off edge to edge.

I feel like a complete beginner again and it sucks more than the Leafs defense (I am a Leafs fan). What do you suggest in my case? I'm a rec skater who's interested in pickup and casual play, nothing crazy competitive. Should I have them reshape we as a shallower hollow like from 1/2" to 5/8 or 3/4"?

You help is much appreciated!

 

[AIREAYE]

It could be that the edges are off.

You didn't sharpen them after buying? You do realize that new skates out of the box are unsharpened?

 

[Campoli]

It could be that the edges are off.

You didn't sharpen them after buying? You do realize that new skates out of the box are unsharpened?

Of course I had them sharpened and baked lol. Sorry, I meant I did not have them sharpened again after the inital sharpening upon purchase.

 

[SacredPetra]

Going from a 5/8ths to 1" is a huge jump. I'd go back in and ask what their standard hollow is (around me it's 1/2") and go 1/8th" shallower. If you haven't sharpened them in a year, you're probably used to skating on dull edges, and especially if you've tried to scrape them off, it's easiest just to try again with a fresh sharpen.

 

[Campoli]

Going from a 5/8ths to 1" is a huge jump. I'd go back in and ask what their standard hollow is (around me it's 1/2") and go 1/8th" shallower. If you haven't sharpened them in a year, you're probably used to skating on dull edges, and especially if you've tried to scrape them off, it's easiest just to try again with a fresh sharpen.

My apologies, I meant going from a 1/2" hollow (which I believe I have) to 5/8 or 3/4"?

Thanks for your reply. I may try 5/8" and go from there. I don't mind slightly dull.

 

[Crosbyfan]

Recreational skates?

When new they might have supported sharp edges, and now you need them duller, or shallower hollow, as they are "broken" in?

 

[AIREAYE]

Going from a 5/8ths to 1" is a huge jump. I'd go back in and ask what their standard hollow is (around me it's 1/2") and go 1/8th" shallower. If you haven't sharpened them in a year, you're probably used to skating on dull edges, and especially if you've tried to scrape them off, it's easiest just to try again with a fresh sharpen.

Good advice here.

When new they might have supported sharp edges, and now you need them duller, or shallower hollow, as they are "broken" in?

Not duller. Shallower doesn't mean duller. Edges don't 'break in'. If you find that you need edges to do that, then you should go a bit shallower like Petra said.

My apologies, I meant going from a 1/2" hollow (which I believe I have) to 5/8 or 3/4"?

Thanks for your reply. I may try 5/8" and go from there. I don't mind slightly dull.

Before you try a 5/8", have the store show you if the edges are level. Knowing Sportchek...

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Just get them sharpened again at a 1/2 and see whether or not the guy who got you last time just eff'ed up your skates.

 

[jazzykat]

Just get them sharpened again at a 1/2 and see whether or not the guy who got you last time just eff'ed up your skates.

Go to a different shop to.

I use a shallow hollow but prefer my skates quite sharp. Think about a more shallow hollow dull skates are most likely not a good answer.

 

[Pog Form]

Eat the $5 or $8 or whatever you wasted at SportChek and find a better place to get your skates done. And yeah, it sounds like you would benefit from a shallower hollow as you should never have to "dull" your edges to feel comfortable on them. A good sharpening with the correct hollow should feel perfect as soon as you step on the ice.

When I was first trying to figure out my preferred hollow, I found 3/4 had JUST not quite enough bite so I settled on 5/8 (or sometimes 11/16).

So yeah, test it out! Find a good, reliable place to do your skates and figure out your sweet spot and you'll never have to hesitate about sharpenings again.

 

[Saved]

I'm a pretty advanced skater but have to get my skate sharpened at Sport Chek as well. I hate the first skate, and even the few hours before my first skate due to the anxiety of whether or not I'll get a good sharpening. Sometimes it feels great, but then other times, like my last sharpening, it feels like it's significantly more sharp and offers a ton more bite than I am used to. I hate it... it turns me into one of the better players on the ice to one of the worst, haha.

 

[Campoli]

I'm a pretty advanced skater but have to get my skate sharpened at Sport Chek as well. I hate the first skate, and even the few hours before my first skate due to the anxiety of whether or not I'll get a good sharpening. Sometimes it feels great, but then other times, like my last sharpening, it feels like it's significantly more sharp and offers a ton more bite than I am used to. I hate it... it turns me into one of the better players on the ice to one of the worst, haha.

This! Well I just went for a sharpen at a really good local shop. He didn't comment on the job Sportchek did but re-grinded to a 5/8" hollow. I then went for a skate closer by and immediately noticed the difference. It was a lot less grippy! Which felt good but it didn't at the same time as I found my feet sliding much more as the edges were less sharp. I still couldn't hockey stop in the left direction so I'm convinced it's me and not the skate. A week ago I was ripping stops like crazy both sides. It;s like my body has forgotten how to stop it's really strange.

Anyone else experience this? Btw I'm 5'10 and 165lbs.

 

[MegaAlf]

I had the same issue last year. I think some shops don't really know or care about the differences in hollows and the importance of a quality sharpen. In my hometown I played hockey for close to 10 years and got my skates sharpened at various rinks. Not one shop asked me what hollow I wanted and I didn't even know about different hollows until last year. When I moved and started going to a better rink I was asked what hollow and couldn't tell them. I just went with 5/8 which I don't like. To shallow especially for someone my weight. If you like it shallow go with 5/8. 1" seems drastic.

 

[Campoli]

I had the same issue last year. I think some shops don't really know or care about the differences in hollows and the importance of a quality sharpen. In my hometown I played hockey for close to 10 years and got my skates sharpened at various rinks. Not one shop asked me what hollow I wanted and I didn't even know about different hollows until last year. When I moved and started going to a better rink I was asked what hollow and couldn't tell them. I just went with 5/8 which I don't like. To shallow especially for someone my weight. If you like it shallow go with 5/8. 1" seems drastic.

What is your weight if I may ask? I am 165lbs roughly and find the 5/8" a bit too slippy, but that could just be my technique lol.

 

[Crosbyfan]

Not duller. Shallower doesn't mean duller. Edges don't 'break in'. If you find that you need edges to do that, then you should go a bit shallower like Petra said.

I'm referring to the skate boot. A recreational skate will lose it's ability to support at the ankle.
They break down much sooner, "broken" in, as opposed to "broken in".

Duller or shallower both give less bite, and are more forgiving on the boot in that respect. I realize they are not the same thing.

But, if that is the case Campoli may need a better pair of skates.

 

[AIREAYE]

I'm referring to the skate boot. A recreational skate will lose it's ability to support at the ankle.
They break down much sooner, "broken" in, as opposed to "broken in".

Duller or shallower both give less bite, and are more forgiving on the boot in that respect. I realize they are not the same thing.

But, if that is the case Campoli may need a better pair of skates.

You should have made a clearer post, as you had no reference to the boot. But I digress

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Jeremy Roenick had this same problem in LA!

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Rub your skate blades on that yellow piece of plastic by the bench door. It helps take the sharpness off your blades

 

[Elias Pettersson]

How often should I get my skates sharpened? I'm a pretty bad skater playing a few games of rec league hockey. I think I've skated a total of 8 times since my last sharpen (end of summer, when I bought my skates). I've just learned how to hockey stop on one side and am starting to try a few crossovers. I'm afraid that if I sharpen my skates, my progress will be completely destroyed.

 

[MegaAlf]

What is your weight if I may ask? I am 165lbs roughly and find the 5/8" a bit too slippy, but that could just be my technique lol.

I'm 160. That's a good descriptor "slippy". I can still make sharp turns but when I try to stop at high speeds it requires more force and I slide more. I feel like my acceleration is worse. I'm not digging into the ice enough.

I think 5/8 is probably good for guys close to 200 lbs or more. They have a lot more force digging into the ice.

Desmond- I'd say about 5 - 8 skates or around 5 - 8 hours of ice time but it's preference. For just recreational skating I'd think it would be okay to go a lot longer but not if you are playing hockey when you are doing a lot of hockey stops and sharp turns. I like to get mine sharpened after about 5 games.

 

[Jive Time]

After about a 30 year layoff, I started playing hockey again and went with the "standard cut" at our LHS. This turned out to be 7/16.

I hated this cut and feared the first few skates after a shapen so I switched to 5/8 and immediately this solved my confidence issue. Fast forward six years later and I'm back to 7/16 and wouldn't have it any other way.

If you are just learning or haven't skated in a while, I think that you tend to stand too tall and forget the importance of a low center of gravity. This just probably comes with time and conditioning but I love a sharp skate and I don't see going back.

Sounds like you went with the 5/8 program which is good. If you find that you are blowing out too often and making too many trips to get a cut, then move on to 1/2 or more.

Also, not all shops are equal. There are only a couple guys I have cut mine and it's a matter of consistency and quality. Ask around to see who others prefer.

 

[FuelOrWater]

How often should I get my skates sharpened? I'm a pretty bad skater playing a few games of rec league hockey. I think I've skated a total of 8 times since my last sharpen (end of summer, when I bought my skates). I've just learned how to hockey stop on one side and am starting to try a few crossovers. I'm afraid that if I sharpen my skates, my progress will be completely destroyed.

Every 4 months

 

[AIREAYE]

Rub your skate blades on that yellow piece of plastic by the bench door. It helps take the sharpness off your blades

Bad advice...

Just get the proper hollow and not worry about 'dulling' your steel.

How often should I get my skates sharpened? I'm a pretty bad skater playing a few games of rec league hockey. I think I've skated a total of 8 times since my last sharpen (end of summer, when I bought my skates). I've just learned how to hockey stop on one side and am starting to try a few crossovers. I'm afraid that if I sharpen my skates, my progress will be completely destroyed.

Depends on how often you play and how hard you are on your skates. You can inspect them every once and a while and if there are a lot of nicks or if you feel that the edges have 'rolled', then it's time to get them done. You'll hear anywhere from 4-8 ice sessions but check them as you go.

Every 4 months

No such rule.

 

[Campoli]

Thanks for the great information everyone. I am trying to hit the ice daily (indoors and out) to find my feet again. I think I primarily need to work on my leg strength and stamina.

Can anyone recommend any off ice drills, some of which would help assist in the hockey stop movement?

 

[TheRedShadow]

Can anyone recommend any off ice drills, some of which would help assist in the hockey stop movement?

The hockey stop is all about knee bend, weight transfer, balance, so there are lots of things that can help.

But for me on my weak side I had to simply get used to twisting my body thru 90degrees, so practiced that at the very first