HockeySize A skate is only as good as its edges. New skates arrive unsharpened, edges wear, and the choice of hollow changes how the skate feels more than most people expect. This guide explains what to ask for at the shop.
New skates need a first sharpening
Blades leave the factory flat with no edges. Before the first skate, have them sharpened, and if you plan to profile the runner, do that at the same time.
Hollow: the groove in the blade
Sharpening grinds a shallow groove along the blade, leaving two edges. The radius of that groove is the hollow, quoted in inches:
- Deeper (3/8″, 7/16″) – more bite, sharper turns and stops, but more friction and a less forgiving feel.
- Standard (1/2″) – the shop default; a good starting point for most players.
- Shallower (5/8″, 3/4″) – more glide and speed, less bite; easier on the legs over a long game.
Rules of thumb: heavier players can use a shallower hollow because their weight supplies the bite; lighter and younger players often prefer slightly deeper. Soft, warm ice calls for a deeper hollow, hard cold ice for shallower. Goalies usually go shallow, 3/4″ to 1″, so the skate slides sideways in the butterfly.
Profile: the curve along the blade
Separate from the hollow is the profile, or rocker: the radius of the curve along the length of the blade, typically 9 to 13 feet. A longer radius puts more steel on the ice for stability and straight-line speed; a shorter one gives agility. Multi-radius profiles combine both. Profiling is a one-off setup on a new runner, not part of routine sharpening, and most recreational players never need to change the factory profile.
Flat-bottom grinds
Alternatives such as FBV or a flat-bottom channel cut a different shape that aims to give both bite and glide. Many players like them; some shops do not offer them. They are worth trying once you know what standard hollows feel like.
How often
For players, roughly every 10 to 15 hours of ice time, or sooner if an edge is nicked. Test by running a fingernail gently down each edge: it should catch evenly on both sides. Always use hard guards to walk to the ice and soft soakers in the bag, and dry the blades after every skate to prevent rust.
What to say at the shop
“Half-inch hollow” is a fine first request. After a few skates, adjust one step at a time: if you slide out on turns, go deeper; if the skate feels grabby or tiring, go shallower.