Thread: Skate Sharpening and hollows etc

1 inch to 1 1/4 inch.

I'm around 6'4" & 240lbs. I am just learning to skate. They had my skates done at 5/8. Like Bzooty said it feels like I'm sliding all over the place. Should I have my skates changed or do I just suck?

So I read all the info and I think the 1/2" would probably be good for me, I am only 120lbs, so I was just wondering if 3/8" would really slow me down that much seeing as I can't really dig my edges in that much.

ive always had mine 7/16
its good for turning and its not meant for speed

Originally Posted by WingHater

I'm around 6'4" & 240lbs. I am just learning to skate. They had my skates done at 5/8. Like Bzooty said it feels like I'm sliding all over the place. Should I have my skates changed or do I just suck?

Like you I'm 6' 4', 210 lbs. My new Vapors are at 1/2 and that hollow works for both speed and maneuverability for me. I have a long stride and generate a lot of power in turns. I'm going to add a little forward pitch on the next sharpening though so I don't sit back due to my height.

anyone know anything about pitch?

my skates have a pitch adjustment and i change em from n to -1, there is also a +1 option. it seems like it just rockers the front a little bit, i kind of liked it and i think its made for a smoother stride and easier stopping.

Adding pitch to the skate forces the skater to bend the knee's and standing up adding to a better stride. This also helps the skaters awareness.

For some people it takes some getting use to the feeling.

Most grafs have the forward pitch. I havnt skated with any other brands with there pitch design.

However,

Once you are use to it you wont want to go back.

If you skate backwards alot. I think you would rather have a neutral pitch. Probably mostly about feel.

Originally Posted by WingHater

I'm around 6'4" & 240lbs. I am just learning to skate. They had my skates done at 5/8. Like Bzooty said it feels like I'm sliding all over the place. Should I have my skates changed or do I just suck?

A lot of it is learning how to use your edges. There's some difference between a 1/2" (standard) and a 5/8" hollow, but I don't think I would have noticed the difference when I first started skating.

As far as learning to use your edges go, I'd recommed either taking a few lessons or reading a book like Laura Stamm's Power Skating. You won't find many books locally, but you can find plenty of good hockey and skating books on Amazon.

Personally I have never had any issues with tight turns so believe it or not, I use a 7/8 cut. No I am not a goalie