Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to sharpen concave blades with a clipper
• Method 2 of 2: How to sharpen flat blades by hand
• Tips

Hockey players and skaters most often use skates with concave blades and sharpen them using a special device. If the blade is concave, the skates touch the surface at two points, and the center of the blade bends slightly downward. Skaters use flat-blade skates that need to be sharpened by hand.Concave blades provide better traction and maneuverability, while straight blades reduce drag and increase speed. If you are planning to purchase a special sharpener, this will require some investment at the initial stage, but with the proper skill, in the end you will save time and money.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to sharpen concave blades with a clipper

1. 1 Put on your protective equipment. When working with the sharpener, you must wear at least shatterproof glasses. The use of respiratory and ear protection is also recommended. Do not wear loose clothing and remove jewelry that could get caught in rotating mechanisms. Tie back long hair and wear something over your head.
2. 2 Turn on the clipper. The desktop should not be littered with unnecessary things. Before turning on the device, make sure that nothing comes into contact with the grinding wheel, including the diamond dressing tool. Balance the grinding wheel.
   • In some machines, the diamond tool must be fixed and must be in contact with the wheel before turning on the device. Refer to the instruction manual.
3. 3 Think about the radius you need. By default, skates are sharpened with a 12.5mm radius, since this radius is suitable for beginners. A radius of less than 12.5 millimeters creates a deeper camber for good grip and slow acceleration. The large radius creates a smoother surface, which reduces traction and makes acceleration easier. Traction determines agility, while fast acceleration provides instant acceleration.
   • The radius is a characteristic of the grinding wheel. The radius depends on what shape the circle will grind in the blade. From your school geometry course, you probably remember that the radius of a circle is half its width. Imagine a circle with a small radius and overlay it over the rectangle. A small radius cuts out more space than a large radius, so small radii create more curved edges and larger indentations than large radii.
   • Typically, the following radii are used: 9.5 millimeters for beginners, 15.5 millimeters for intermediate, 19 millimeters for advanced, 22 millimeters for hockey players. Use this data as a guide, but don't be afraid to tweak your car's settings to suit your preferences.
   • For better skate glide, select a radius of 25 millimeters or more. To make your skates more maneuverable and controllable, choose a radius of 9.5 millimeters or less.
4. 4 Adjust the diamond tool. Change the position of the tool to get the desired radius. Use a screwdriver to loosen the tool handle. Then pull the handle forward or backward. There are marks on the diamond tool that indicate the size of the radius.
5. 5 Dress the grinding wheel. Press the diamond tool against the wheel. Press and hold for a few seconds. Typically, the diamond tool is attached to a special device that can be moved up and down.
   • The dressing process of the grinding wheel may differ from machine to machine, so please refer to the owner's manual.
6. 6 Secure one blade and make a mark on it. The set with the clipper will probably have a special holding device for the blade. Make sure the blade is level in the center of the sharpening wheel. Mark the edge of the blade with a black marker.
7. 7 Sharpen the blade. Begin by gently pressing the edge of the blade against the rotating grinding wheel, starting at the tip of your skate. Move the holding device so that the blade is in contact with the circle along its entire length. Do this as smoothly and accurately as possible so that the sharpening is uniform. Repeat 2-3 times.
8. 8 Check the condition of the blade. If you've sharpened the blade well, you won't see a black marker along the length of the blade. If it remains, keep sharpening the blade until it disappears.Check the bend - it should be in the middle. If it is in a different location, adjust the retainer and re-sharpen the blade.

Method 2 of 2: How to sharpen flat blades by hand

1. 1 Prepare all the necessary tools. You will need a special point attachment, a large double-sided grindstone, a small grindstone, and a cloth to wipe the surface. Look for tools made specifically for sharpening skates. They are often sold together as a set.
   • You will also need a stone lubricant. The type of lubricant depends on the type of stone. Typically water, oil, or a mixture of oil and water are used.
   • If you are a skater, you will need completely straight blades that will create a 90 degree angle to the ice.
2. 2 Lubricate the stones. Wet the stones with a little lubricant. The grease will keep dust from flying around.
   • If this is your first time using a set of regular stones that need to be oiled, you will need to moisten them with oil before using for the first time. Place the stones in a plastic container and pour some oil on one side. Wait for the oil to absorb and then add some more. When the absorption process slows down, turn the stone over and repeat on the other side. When not using stones, wrap them in plastic. This prevents the oil from getting dirty.
3. 3 Attach the skate to the point device. As a rule, in such devices two skates are placed parallel to each other. They are fixed with special clips on the toe and heel. Thus, there should be a total of 4 clamps. Skates can be attached in different ways. If you are not sure how to properly attach your skates to your device, please refer to the owner's manual.
   • Place the skates parallel to each other with the blades facing up (i.e. upside down).
   • Usually on the toe-side of the point device there is a plate to which the blade can be aligned. Make sure the ends of the blades are against the plate before tightening the fasteners.
   • The positioning of the blades is not as important as even cutting on the left and right sides. For example, many people turn their skates with the heel toward the plate. If you do this with every sharpening, there is nothing wrong with that.
4. 4 Look for pieces of metal that are sticking out and get rid of them. When sharpening skates, you can stumble upon notches on the blade, and sometimes you can see them even before starting work. In this case, clean them off with a millstone.
   • Place a stone on the side of the blade. The top of the stone should be just below the top of the blade.
   • Swipe across the blade in one firm motion, pressing down the stone evenly along its entire length.
   • Repeat until the blade is clean.
5. 5 Place the whetstone on the skate blade. First, work the blades with the hard side of the stone. Position the stone perpendicular to the blades towards one end.
   • It doesn't matter which end you start from. The main thing is to start from the same end every time.
6. 6 Sharpen your blades. Pull the sharpening stone to the end of the blade, then return to its original position. Keep the stone perpendicular to the blade at all times. Repeat 20 times.
7. 7 Change sides. Turn the other end of the sharpener so that the opposite side is now facing you. Perform 20 more movements, this time in the opposite direction. For example, if at first you walked forward and left, now move forward and right.
8. 8 Listen for sounds. A dull blade will make a loud scraping sound even with sufficient lubrication. As the blade gets sharper, the sound will fade away. Flip your skates and change direction after every 20 times. The duller the blade, the longer you will have to sharpen it.
9. 9 Lubricate the stone again if necessary. When you run the stone over the blade a few dozen times, the stone will most likely dry out. If you hear a harsh creaking sound, add a few drops of grease to the rough side of the stone.Remember that if the blade is dull, it will make harsh noises no matter how much lubricant you use.
10. 10 Check from time to time for indentations on the blade. While the blade is being machined, look for grooves on the blades. There should be four of them - one on each side of the blade. Remember that if the blade was not completely sharpened, it will first form a notch on the outside.
    • How many times you need to slide over the blade depends on how dull the blade was at the beginning. If the blade has recently been sharpened, you may need to complete 20 strokes only twice. A dull blade will require more careful processing.
11. 11 Buff the skates with the lighter side of the stone. When grooves form on all sides, lubricate the other side of the stone and turn it over. Position the stone in the same way as for sharpening. Walk the blade 20 times, and if necessary, repeat 20 more times. The blade should be smooth and shiny. If it is still scratched, walk 20 more times and check its condition again.
12. 12 Get rid of the indentations. Remove the skates from the sharpener. Run a millstone along the entire length of each side of the blades. The pressure should be uniform. Repeat until the grooves disappear.
13. 13 Clean blades and tools. Wipe the blades with a clean rag to remove any metal shavings and grease. The skates can now be used.
    • Wipe down the skates with a greased cloth before removing them. With proper care, your skates will last a long time.

Tips

• Write down how many hours you ride. How often you need to sharpen your skates depends on a number of factors, including the person's weight, the alloy of the metal the blades are made of, and even the temperature of the ice. All people sharpen their skates at different rates. Keeping a training diary will help you keep track of when your skates start to need sharpening.
• As with any sharpening, there is always a risk of injury. Keep a first aid kit with bandages close at hand
• You can buy a manual curved blade sharpener and an automatic straight blade sharpener.
• Many people donate their skates to special sharpening services. These services are often offered at ice rinks, sporting goods stores and skateboarding stores. Remember that usually in such places curved blades with a radius of 12.5 millimeters are sharpened. Tell the master what radius you need. If the master does not know what this means, it is better to take your skates elsewhere.
• If you want to sharpen your skates in a special location, look for a company that specializes in sharpening skates for skaters. Most often, such firms do not work on ice rinks, but in separate places.
• If you prefer to outsource sharpening to a professional, ask friends or teammates where they sharpen their skates. They will surely recommend a good place for you.