How to Sharpen Ice Skate Blades

Keeping skate blades sharp will help prolong the life of the skates, and will also make them skate smoothly on the ice.

Skating is a classic winter pastime for kids and adults alike. There's nothing like lacing up a pair of skates and gliding around an ice rink. However, if a pair of skates are dull, it can severely hinder a skater's ability to move. Dull blades won't dig into the surface of the ice, making it much more difficult to maneuver. Luckily, it is fairly easy to sharpen ice skate blades at home.

Things You'll Need

• Vise Whetstone Honing oil Towel

Instructions

1. Wrap the towel around the boot of the skate to prevent scratches and damage on the leather.

2. Place the skate in the vise so the blade is facing upwards. Tighten the vise so the skate is held firmly.

3. Pour a small amount of honing oil on the whetstone, enough to dampen the whole surface. Angle the whetstone so it is at a 90-degree angle with the blade, then move the stone down the blade without applying pressure. Repeat several times, checking after each stroke to see if the blade needs additional sharpening.

4. Repeat Step 3 on the opposite angle, adding more honing oil to the whetstone if necessary. After the blade has been sharpened, take the skate out of the vise, and use the towel that was wrapped around the boot to clean off the metal shavings.

Tips & Warnings

• New skates need to be sharpened; manufacturers do not sharpen new skates.

References

• Gourmet Skates: Skate Sharpening FAQ