Over the past few years, Elite Blade Performance has quickly become the trusted blade care partner of more than 135 professional teams across North America. From the NHL and AHL to NCAA, Major Junior, ECHL and the PWHL, teams across the board are choosing Elite’s game changing profiling and sharpening systems. Unlike hand sharpening, which inevitably degrades the shape of the blade over time, the Elite E-S4 sharpener uses state-of-the-art, computerized technology to scan and perfectly preserve the blade shape while ensuring perfectly symmetrical edges with every sharpening pass.
The Elite E-S4 Automated Sharpener is powered by high-performance Siemens components for reliable, repeatable results. Using advanced computer algorithms, the E-S4 first reads and then replicates the exact profile of each blade during sharpening, for optimal accuracy and consistency.
Unlike traditional hand sharpening and home sharpening kits on the market today, Elite E-S4’s advanced technology is able to perfectly maintain the shape of the blade profile from one sharpening to the next, for the life of the blade.
The Elite E-S4 Automated Sharpener uses Siemens controllers and precision digital drives to automatically control the speed and pressure of the sharpening pass from toe to heel. Prior to sharpening, the E-S4 first scans the profile of the blade. Once the sharpening begins, the system detects changes in blade angle and position at every millimeter and adjusts speed and pressure to remove exactly the same amount of material along the length of the blade. In real time, the E-S4 uses sophisticated algorithms to accurately reproduce the existing blade profile throughout the sharpening process.
This is something that simply cannot be replicated by other systems. Inevitably hand sharpening and home sharpeners which apply constant pressure will inevitably eat away more steel at the heel and toe.
At SkateTech, we want to provide our players with the most consistent and accurate sharpening possible, that’s why we choose to sharpen with the Elite E-S4 Sharpening system!
Sharpening Basics
At SkateTech, our main focus is to work with each player to find a skate hollow that is specific to that individual whether it is a traditional Radius of Hollow (ROH) or Flat Bottom V (FBV). It seems like every day we hear, “I’ll do the standard” or “I’ll take the regular”. The problem with this is there is no such thing as “regular” or “standard”! If you’re getting one of these as an option in a shop, you may be getting a different cut each time you go in or just getting whatever hollow is on the machine from the previous person. It is important to know what hollow best fits your needs as a skater to maximize your on ice performance and to get a quality and consistent sharpening every time!
Radius of Hollow (RoH)
Traditionally, skates have been sharpened with a circular (arc) form on the bottom of the blade called Radius of Hollow (ROH). This arc (hollow) is a piece of the circumference of a circle and can vary in depth. As the depth of the hollow changes, so does the bite of the blade’s edge. As the hollow gets deeper (with a smaller circle more of its circumference is on the blade), the edges become sharper and more pronounced. Typically this results in the skater being able to cut sharper and be more agile, but speed requires more effort. As the hollow gets shallower (with a larger circle less of its circumference is on the blade), the edges become less pronounced and the blade appears flatter. Typically this results in the skater being able to skate faster, but cutting takes more effort. (The sharper the edge, the more the blade will sink in the ice. Less edge creates more glide due to the fact that more of the blade is on the surface of the ice).
Picture the difference between a quarter and a dime – the dime would produce a much deeper hollow because the blade covers more of its circumference compared to the quarter, which would produce a shallower hollow.
Simply put, the deeper the hollow, the more blade digs into the ice. This creates “bite” but the trade off is that it decreases the ease of your glide. So you basically have to choose between gliding speed and grip.
DEEPER HOLLOW
– Harder and tighter turning
– Greater immediate acceleration
– Better grip on ice for stability in battle situations
– For goalies, it can benefit push offs and quick movements
SHOLLOWER HOLLOW
– More forgiveness in turning with less bite
– Better gliding and retained speed
– Ability to “slide” into position due to reduced friction
– For goalies, it can benefit small lateral movements with less resistance
Flat Bottom V (FBV)
FBV® eliminates the need to choose one benefit over the other, with a breakthrough architecture designed for the perfect blend of speed and agility. The flat bottom shape of the blade allows the skate to glide across the top of the ice rather than cut through it. This reduces drag and helps increase speed. At the same time, the precision edges are ready to dig in and provide precise control on turns and stops.
The result is a revolutionary, no-compromise blade sharpening technique that allows you to skate faster with less effort and experience precise control on turns and stops, so you get maximum bite and maximum glide all the time. Another advantage of the FBV® system is that you can “fine tune” the combination of speed and agility that’s right for you.
However, the skating sensation is so superior to what you’re used to, you have to experience it on the ice to know which one is best for you. Simply by noting the setting of your sharpening before you take to the ice, you’ll know which aspect to dial up or down to get the balance that best suits your skating style and personal preferences.
Most young skaters feel that 100/50 is a good starting point, while most adults start with 90/75. From there, SkateTech will work with you to decide if you prefer the edges to be more or less sharp.