Sharpening and maintaining your ice skatesare crucial for ensuring peak performance and extending the life of the equipment. Regular care not only enhances the skating experience, but also assists in preventing injuries. Here are the most important tips to keep your ice skates in top condition.
1. Regular Cleaning
After each skating session Clean the blades with a dry cloth to remove any moisture. This will prevent corrosion and rust that can cause damage to the blades over time. It’s also important to completely dry the blade prior to placing it in storage skates. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and chemicals since they could cause damage to the blade’s surface.
2. Use Blade Guards
Always use blade guards when moving off the ice in order to protect the blades from injury. Blade guards prevent nicks and dullness that can occur from contact with hard surfaces. Be sure to take off the guards prior to getting back on the ice to prevent accidently slipping or injury.
3. Regular Sharpening
Ice skates must be sharpened regularly to maintain their performance. How often you sharpen depends on the timing of ice, skating style and personal preferences. The general rule is that skates are sharpened every 15 to 20 hours of time on ice. If you notice less grip or rough edges is the time to have a sharpening session. A skilled skater can help ensure the correct profile of sharpening to meet your skating requirements.
In the end keeping your sharpening and maintenance up-to-date on you ice skates involves regular cleaning as well as proper storage and promptly professional care. With these suggestions will ensure that your skates perform optimally, offering the best comfort and accuracy on the skating ice.