The Importance of Regular Ice Hockey Skate Sharpening
Whether you’re a weekend beer leaguer or hitting the ice five nights a week, one of the simplest — and most overlooked — ways to improve your skating is keeping your blades properly sharpened.
Sharp, even edges can be the difference between crisp crossovers and clumsy turns, or a quick first stride and a frustrating slip.
At HockeyStation, we see players all the time who think their skates are “fine” until they get them sharpened — then they realise just how much performance they were missing out on.
Let’s look at why skate sharpening matters, how often to do it, and what good sharpening really means.
🧊 Why Sharp Skates Matter
Your skate blades are your connection to the ice. Each blade has two edges — inside and outside — with a hollow groove running between them. The sharper and more balanced these edges are, the more control you have in every stride, stop, and turn.
When your blades go dull or uneven, you’ll notice:
Less grip on the ice — you’ll slip during acceleration or stops.
Reduced turning ability — edges feel like they’re “washing out.”
Inconsistent glide — your stride feels rough or sluggish.
More fatigue — you work harder to stay stable and maintain speed.
In short, sharp blades help you skate faster, stop harder, and turn cleaner — while dull blades make you fight the ice instead of working with it.
🏒 How Often Should You Sharpen Your Skates?
There’s no single rule, but a good general guide is:
| Skating Frequency | Recommended Sharpening Interval |
|---|---|
| 3+ times per week | Every 1–2 weeks |
| 1–2 times per week | Every 3–4 weeks |
| Occasionally | Before each game or practice |
Other factors matter too:
Ice quality: Softer ice dulls blades faster.
Playing style: Aggressive skaters wear edges quicker.
Blade steel: Higher-grade steel holds an edge longer.
If you ever feel unstable, slide too easily, or can’t stop cleanly — it’s time.
⚙️ What Makes a Good Skate Sharpening?
Not all sharpenings are equal. A quality sharpening gives you:
Even, level edges — both sides of the blade match perfectly.
Correct hollow — the groove depth suited to your skating style.
Smooth finish — no burrs or ridges that grab the ice.
At HockeyStation, our highly trained staffed sharpen your steels to ensure they are identical, consistent, and ready for your next session.
🧠 Choosing the Right Hollow
When we sharpen skates, we grind a hollow (a small concave curve) into the blade. The depth of that hollow affects how your skates feel:
| Hollow Type | Feel on Ice | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Deep (e.g. 3/8”) | More bite, less glide | Lightweight players, tight turns |
| Medium (e.g. 1/2” or 5/8”) | Balanced control & glide | Most players |
| Shallow (e.g. 7/8” or 1”) | Less bite, more glide | Heavier players, goalies, speed focus |
🔧 Why Regular Sharpening Saves You Money
Consistent sharpening doesn’t just improve performance — it extends the life of your skates:
Even wear prevents premature blade replacement.
Proper edges protect the holder from uneven pressure.
Your sharpening costs stay predictable instead of fixing damage later.
Think of it like servicing your car — regular maintenance prevents expensive repairs down the road.
🏆 The Bottom Line
Sharp skates equal better skating. Whether you’re chasing your first goal or leading your team, the condition of your edges directly affects your speed, stability, and confidence on the ice.
If it’s been a few sessions since your last sharpening, or if your edges just don’t feel right, bring them in — you’ll be amazed at the difference.
✳️ HockeyStation — Professional Skate Sharpening in Brookwood, Surrey
We use a mix of machines primarily Blademaster but we also use our Sparx and Advantedge to ensure precise, level edges every time.
Then we use our Prosharp for profiling.
✳️ I need my skates sharpened, what now?
We offer a mail-in-service for if you're not local. If you need more help with what radius of hollow (ROH) you need then please email - hello@hockeystation.com and one of our staff members will happily help you out.
Click here to send your steels in to be sharpened
Coming into HockeyStation
We offer a while you wait service, please note weekends tend to get a little busier.
If you need more guidance in what radius of hollow (ROH) you need then one of our staff members will happily help you out.
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