In order to skate well and comfortably, one desire and even dexterity is not enough. This is not only a sport, but also one of the ways of entertainment for many people. Therefore, you should know some of the nuances that will help make this pleasure as comfortable as possible. In particular, we will talk about such an aspect as the correct sharpening of skates. The good news is that you can perform this process at home.
Before you learn how to hone your skates, you should learn how to identify the symptoms of the problem - to feel that they are dull. How to do it? If you skate, and they slip during acceleration, then this is one of the "symptoms of the disease" and the time for sharpening has already come. Another sign is the “tearing” of the blades to the side when trying to make turns. Should we say that these factors will adversely affect comfortable riding?
Therefore, the correct sharpening of the skates at home will ensure high-quality skating, which includes sliding and maneuvers on ice, braking and stability. These services are provided at any rink, but even if you use them, then checking the work done will not hurt. First, a little theory on how to sharpen skates. What is the very principle of this process? It consists in the fact that the blade should be given the right shape.
This should be a groove with outer and inner ribs on its sides. If these grooves on the blades of the skates are sharpened deeper, then skating becomes more maneuverable, and at cornering, better stability is acquired. On the contrary, their smaller depth increases the speed of sliding. Since the needs of each skater are individual, the depth of the groove should be selected in accordance with them.
It is important to feel when skating that the skates are obedient, and the slide is comfortable and convenient. When wondering how to sharpen skates correctly, it is also necessary to take into account such factors as rib levels. They should be uniform throughout the blade of the ridge. Otherwise, regrinding is required.
Some ice skating enthusiasts prefer even sharpening, with no grooves or ribs. With this option, a high sliding speed is achieved, but maneuverability when cornering is somewhat difficult. Smooth sharpening is quite simple. Having fixed the skates, it is necessary to make passes with a whetstone. It must be held strictly perpendicular to the blades of the skates.
Then small roughnesses, shavings, irregularities are removed using sandpaper. Regarding the strength of the blades, we can say that it depends on the material from which the skates are made, on their quality. The more expensive the model, the harder, stronger the blades, and the less often they should be sharpened. There are still some nuances - these are incorrect actions when sharpening.
How to sharpen skates avoiding mistakes? What you should pay attention to:
- The first mistake is the uneven sharpening of the outer and inner sides of the blade. This will lead to the fact that when sliding there will be a problem with balance.
- Second mistake - different sharpening of steel in individual sections of the ridge blade. For example, the front section (toe) is more sharpened than the back (heel).
- The third mistake - the sharpening process led to overheating of the blades. Such a mistake can provoke a decrease in the strength of the material from which the skates are made.
- The fourth mistake is a different undercut of the radius of the groove and the contour of the blades. Such sharpening will lead to a problem with sliding maneuverability.
Knowing how to sharpen skates correctly, the above errors should be taken into account when contacting the masters at the rink. No need to be lazy or shy, checking their work. Among other things, skates need basic care. At a minimum, they should be wiped dry after riding. There are also special covers designed for the surface of the blades. Have a nice slip!