How to Care for Your Ice Hockey Skates

Your skates are your most important piece of equipment for hockey. Here's how to keep them in good shape.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Note that the first rule in caring for hockey skates is: Do no harm. Never walk with the blades exposed on any surface other than ice, rubber or wood.

2. Have your blades sharpened regularly to achieve tight cuts into the ice while skating. Any place that offers skate sharpening should also have small grindstones that are used to get burrs off the blades after they have been sharpened. If you can get a grindstone (most places will not sell them), use it every once in a while.

3. Flick off accumulated snow and then dry the blades thoroughly every time you come off the ice. Keep an old rag or hockey sock in your bag for this purpose.

4. Invest in skate guards. Guards cover blades with rubber or cloth to protect them while you carry them around. Some are also designed so that you can wear them and walk on concrete, with the guards protecting the blades.

Tips & Warnings

• In a pinch, you can always protect the blades with athletic tape.
• Blades can be very sharp. Be careful not to cut yourself while handling a freshly sharpened skate.
• Ice hockey is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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[winx62]

on 9/14/2007 Does the boiling water trick actually work? I never thought of doing that.

[Ovechken8]

on 1/2/2007 Actully since I live farley 1 hr away from the ice rink ehow friend i actually keep a wiping towl in my bag to wipe them right after practice

on 7/31/2006 With a piece of athletic tape taped to the bottom of your boot, write the "edge" or "grind" you regularly use on the piece of tape. Now when your pro-shop employee asks "What do you skate on?", you don't have to fumble for a made up number.

on 11/22/2005 Use some spray silicone waterproofing every few months for increased durability. Don't use an oil based product.

Also, after you've finished skating, make sure to pull the tongue way down and pull the footbeds so they dry properly.

on 11/22/2005 Always check the bolts on your skates for tightness. You may have to secure the screws on occasion. Also check your rivets for damage. The last thing you want it a loose bolt or rivet on the ice and your blade coming apart from your boot.