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Profile Hockey offers standard skate sharpening services in every option of hollow, as well as Blademaster’s Flat Bottom system. Click here to learn more about what sets us apart.

Using Blademaster’s Custom Radius System, we offer several different options for skate profiling. Click here to learn more about the principles of a custom radius, and what it can do for your game.

Profile Hockey carries Step Steel, as well as steel made by all major manufacturers. Black Steel, Hyperglide, LS2,LS3,LS4, everything is available in stock or by special order. Click here to learn more about the different options for changing the blades on your skates.

There is a spectrum of skate “sharpness” which is determined by the Radius of Hollow with 1” being the least sharp and 3/8” being the sharpest. Like with all aspects of hockey equipment, personal preference plays the most important role in determining what hollow is best suited to what player. There are some general rules that people might have heard regarding skate sharpening. For example, forwards should have a deeper hollow than defensemen, or heavier skaters should have shallower hollows. I have seen charts from NHL and Olympic hockey teams that dispel every single myth out there about what hollow a person ought to use. The truth of the matter is that only the skater them self is capable of determining what FEELS best to them. Customers often ask what hollow do I recommend, but the truth is that its impossible to say. Just as a curve on a players stick can’t be prescribed based on their size or position, personal preference is the only determining factor for a chosen skate hollow. With that being said, it is worthwhile to understand the pros and cons of different options. Lets continue with the analogy of the hockey stick curve. There are advantages and disadvantages to each curve. A flat curve will be great for receiving passes on the backhand, shooting on the backhand, and most players might find it easier to keep the puck down when shooting hard on their forehand. The disadvantages are that it might be harder to elevate the puck. The same can be said for choosing your preferred hollow when getting your skates sharpened. A deeper hollow, like 3/8”, will offer a ton of grip during tight turns and lots of edge for pushing off. The downside is that all that grip slows you down during your glide. That feeling of more “grip” is caused by the edges of your blade sitting deeper into (below the surface) of the ice. This causes more friction and requires more effort and can slow the skater down in straight lines. On the other end of the spectrum, a very shallow hollow, like 1”, will offer less grip in tight turns and when pushing off, however the blade will have less friction and provide a more effortless glide. There is no right or wrong choice.

At Profile Hockey, Flat Bottom sharpenings are applied using Blademaster’s BFD system. The number one benefit a majority of skaters will notice when they switch from a traditional ROH sharpening to a Flat Bottom sharpening is improved glide. By changing the shape of the hollow, Blademaster has created a system that still offers as much bite when turning or pushing off, however it has the effect allowing the blade to travel through the ice with less friction.

The profile of the hockey skate refers to the shape of the bottom of the blade lengthwise. The profile is measured in foot radius. Most skates have a stock radius on them somewhere around 9’, 10’, or 11’. Imagine how large a circle would have to be to have a radius of 11’. At 22’ high, the circle would be roughly twice as tall as an average ceiling. Now imagine how much of that circle is in contact with the floor. This small amount of the circle touching the floor represents a hockey skate profile. During the process of profiling skates, I can also alter the pitch of the stance, meaning if the skater would like to be more on their toes, or conversely if they feel too much on their toes and would like to be more on their heels, these adjustments can be made in varying degrees at this time.

So how are these different measurements going to affect my game?

A larger radius, such as an 11’, 12’, or 13’ radius will provide greater straight line speed and improved gliding ability. When more blade is in contact with the ice, your bodyweight is spread out over a larger surface area which allows the skater to sit on top of the ice more more easily and causing less friction. This is why when you watch speed skaters, they have extremely long flat blades. The downside to a larger radius is that it will slightly hinder your ability to turn sharply. All of that steel in contact with the ice requires more space in order to change directions. The opposite pros and cons can be applied to a smaller radius like 7’ or 9’. These profiles are (comparatively) more shaped like a rocking chair. This is very advantageous for a player who places a premium on their ability to tight turn and change directions. The downside is that with less steel in contact with the ice, the skaters ability to glide will be reduced. It is important to note that skates, and hockey equipment generally speaking, are very personal and one persons experience on the same radius will differ greatly from another based on size, ability, skating style, and the shape of their previous skate profiles. Poorly executed skate sharpenings often tend to round profiles making a very small radius over time. There are some “general rules” that other shops in the industry espouse, for example smaller radius’ are for forwards and larger radius’ are for defensemen. In my experience, this is not true. A hockey player getting their skates profiled is looking for performance, comfort, and confidence. Due to the personal nature of hockey equipment and each players own style and comfort level, I prescribe a specific radius based on feedback from customers. Profile Hockey provides a truly Custom Radius. We always remove as little material as possible when profiling skates, and if adjustments need to be made after the first attempt I am more than happy to do that.

Do my skates need to be profiled/contoured?

Most skate manufacturers outsource the production of their skate blades. The end result is that often the radius and centre point of the skate differ from one skate to the next, even within the same pair. We see this often when we profile new skates, and can clearly see on the machine that material is removed from different parts of the blade in different amounts from one skate to the next. So when we adjust the profile on a pair of skates, we establish symmetry which allows your skates to interact with the ice in a more stable and predictable way. Humans are very adaptable, and can make ay equipment work for them. A well profiled set of blades can help reduce, or altogether remove bad habits that skaters may develop over time (for example hinging at the hip rather than bending your knees).

Step Steel is a company that makes steel to fit holders from all major brands. This steel is made in Canada and holds advantages over all other brands’ offerings. Their taller blades last longer and allow deeper turns and more torque in each stride. The steel is of the highest quality available. Step Steel also offers Blacksteel and V-Steel, which are more resistant to chips and knicks, as well as making each sharpening last longer. To learn more about what sets Step Steel apart, visit their website at www.stepskates.com. These specialty options will cost more, and prices vary from brand to brand depending on size and brand of the holder on your skate. All options for Bauer steel, including LS2, LS3, and LS4 steel are also available by order. Typically available within 1-3 business days. All options for CCM steel, including EPRO and SB 4.0+ standard steel, Hyperglide, and SpeedBlade Black are available for special orders. Typically available within 1-3 business days. Every set of steel includes installation and sharpening. Call or visit Profile Hockey today to find out more information.

Established in 2013, Profile Hockey is owned and operated by Josh Lavery. Located downstairs on the Main side of Bob Birnie Arena in the City of Pointe Claire, Quebec, Profile Hockey offers the very best quality in skate sharpening, skate profiling/contouring/rockering on the West Island of Montreal. We also offer minor skate repairs, as well as sell last minute items like tape, laces, mouthguards, etc.

Profile Hockey

58 Avenue Maywood, Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 0A7 Call or text (438)868-3196 josh@profilehockey.com