Menu closedMenu closedWalk into any hockey rink, and you’ll hear players making requests about their skate sharpening that reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of blade hollows: “Just sharpen my skates a little,” “I want a defenseman’s hollow,” “Because I’m a bigger player, I need a deeper hollow,” “Just sharpen them the regular way,” or perhaps most concerning, “I only get my skates done once a year.”What’s remarkable is how little is understood about blade hollows, even at elite levels of hockey.
This knowledge gap represents a missed opportunity, as the hollow of your skate blade is one of the most critical yet underappreciated factors affecting skating performance. Despite its importance, there’s minimal instruction being provided at any level about what could be the foundation of a skater’s technical abilities.
When someone asks, “How sharp are your skates?” they’re really asking about your hollow, though they may not realize it. The hollow refers to the concave groove ground into the bottom of your skate blade between the two edges. This seemingly simple curve has profound effects on your skating performance.
The hollow is measured by the radius of the grinding wheel used to create it. Common hollows range from 3/8" (very deep) to 1" (very shallow), with 1/2" and 5/8" being the most popular choices among recreational players. The smaller the radius number, the deeper the hollow and the sharper the edges.
The primary principle to understand is that hollow depth creates an inverse relationship between edge grip and glide efficiency.
A deeper hollow means:
More bite: The edges sink deeper into the ice, providing superior grip for turns, stops, and acceleration
Less glide: Increased friction reduces the distance traveled per stride and requires more energy to maintain speed
Conversely, a shallower hollow provides:
Less bite: Edges sit more on top of the ice surface, reducing grip in turns and quick movements
More glide: Reduced friction allows for longer, more efficient strides and better speed maintenance
The extreme example that illustrates this principle comes from long-track speed skating. These athletes use blades with no hollow at all, utilizing completely flat bottoms with sharp edges. This configuration eliminates drag and maximizes straight-line speed. While this wouldn’t work for hockey’s multidirectional demands, the principle has influenced modern hockey, with many high-level players now using flatter hollows (3/4" to 1") to maintain speed with less effort.
Your body weight significantly impacts how your edges interact with the ice:
Heavier players (200+ lbs):
Natural weight drives edges deeper into ice
Can use shallower hollows (5/8" to 7/8") while maintaining adequate grip
Benefit from reduced friction and improved glide
Lighter players (under 150 lbs):
Less natural edge penetration
May require deeper hollows (3/8" to 1/2") for equivalent grip
Trade some glide efficiency for necessary edge control
Mid-weight players (160–200 lbs):
Most versatile range for hollow selection
Standard 1/2" to 5/8" typically works well
Can adjust based on other factors
Power Players:
Rely on strength, physical play, and board battles
Benefit from deeper hollows for superior grip
Typical range: 3/8" to 1/2"
Speed Players:
Prioritize acceleration and top-end speed
Prefer shallower hollows for enhanced glide
Typical range: 5/8" to 7/8"
Technical Players:
Balance of agility and speed
Moderate hollows provide versatility
Typical range: 1/2" to 5/8"
Forwards:
Wingers: Often benefit from shallower hollows (5/8" to 3/4") for speed on the outside
Centers: May prefer moderate hollows (1/2" to 5/8") for face-off stability and two-way play
Defensemen:
Stay-at-home: Deeper hollows (3/8" to 1/2") provide stability for net-front battles
Offensive-minded: Shallower hollows (5/8" to 3/4") support rushing and transition play
Goaltenders:
Typically use very shallow hollows (3/4" to 1–1/4")
Prioritize lateral sliding over forward skating
Some use different hollows on each skate
Hard ice (colder temperatures):
Requires deeper hollows for adequate grip
Consider going 1/8" deeper than normal
Soft ice (warmer temperatures):
Edges sink in naturally
Shallower hollows prevent excessive drag
Consider going 1/8" shallower than normal
An often-overlooked benefit of proper hollow selection is injury reduction. Shallower hollows can significantly decrease the risk of:
Lower body injuries:
Reduced edge catching in ruts prevents sudden stops
Decreased torque on knees during turns
Less strain on groin muscles from edge slippage
Improved release from board contact
Players using appropriate hollows report fewer muscle strains and joint injuries, particularly in the groin, knee, and ankle areas. The ability for the blade to release from the ice when needed acts as a safety mechanism during unexpected contact or awkward positioning.
The blade profile (the curve from heel to toe when viewed from the side) interacts with hollow selection:
Aggressive profiles (more rocker) may benefit from deeper hollows for stability
Flatter profiles (less rocker) can use shallower hollows while maintaining control
Some players resist frequent sharpening, claiming to prefer “dull” skates. This preference usually stems from:
Poor previous sharpening experiences with inconsistent results
Adaptation to worn edges that don’t catch in ice imperfections
Unconscious preference for the glide of worn-down edges
For these players, the solution isn’t actually dull skates but rather:
A properly selected shallower hollow that provides the desired glide
Consistent, professional sharpening to maintain predictable edges
Possible use of a deeper hollow with controlled edge finishing to achieve the “broken-in” feel immediately
Modern sharpening technology offers alternatives to traditional single-radius hollows:
Flat-Bottom V (FBV) / Blademaster BFD / Sparx Fire:
Flat center with angled edges
Claims to provide bite of deeper hollow with glide of shallower
Dual-radius hollows:
Different radii on inside vs. outside edges
Can optimize for specific skating patterns
Requires specialized equipment
Finding your optimal hollow requires systematic testing:
Start with a baseline (typically 1/2" for most players)
Skate for 2–3 sessions to fully adapt
Evaluate performance in key areas:
Acceleration from standstill
Top speed maintenance
Tight turn execution
Stop stability
Energy expenditure over a full game
Adjust incrementally (1/8" at a time)
Document results for future reference
Proper maintenance depends on usage:
High-level players: Every 6–10 hours of ice time
Recreational players: Every 10–15 hours of ice time
Outdoor/pond hockey: After each session due to debris
Look for sharpeners who:
Ask about your preferences and playing style
Use properly maintained equipment
Can explain their process
Maintain consistency between sharpenings
Keep records of your preferences
Understanding and optimizing your skate blade hollow represents one of the most accessible ways to improve your on-ice performance. Unlike expensive equipment upgrades or time-intensive training programs, finding your ideal hollow costs nothing extra and can yield immediate results.
The key is recognizing that there’s no universal “correct” hollow. There’s only the right hollow for your unique combination of physical attributes, playing style, position, and ice conditions. By taking a systematic approach to finding your optimal setup and maintaining it consistently, you’ll maximize both your performance and enjoyment of the game.
Remember, the difference between struggling through a shift and effortlessly gliding past opponents might be as simple as an eighth of an inch adjustment in your blade hollow. In a sport where milliseconds and millimeters matter, can you afford not to optimize this fundamental aspect of your equipment?
Take the time to experiment, keep detailed notes, and work with a qualified sharpener. Your skating and your game will thank you for it.