BLADE MAINTENANCE
14.02.2011, 14:00, Andrej Valach
Maintaining your bend
As a bend in blades is a critical component to skill development and performance, it is important that the following process is followed after a skater falls or clashes blades.
How does a bend change from a fall or clashing of blades?
When a skater falls or clashes blades together it can cause a torque in the blade with can affect the amount and/or the smoothness of the bend in the blade.
The first step to restoring your bend is to loosen and then re-tighten one of your bolts on your skates. Only one bolt on each skate needs to be loosened and tightened. Either the front or back bolt can be used.
This is an excellent intervention to use during a practice should you experience a fall or clash blades.
This is also an excellent option during a competition if a collision occurs during the start of a race and the race is called back. If the ice is being repaired and time allows, this may be a quick fix to restore the bend in the blade before the race restart.
As the loosening and retightening of the bolt on your skate may not totally restore your bend we recommend that you review your bend using a gauge.
The following information will provide you with the best practices to monitor the bend and rocker of your skates using a gauge.
What is a gauge?
The gauge is an instrument that was developed in the early 1990’s, which revolutionized the ability to monitor and adjust both the bend and rocker in speed skate blades. The accuracy Fig 5of the gauge is 0.0001”-.05” of an inch.
Gauge Components
* Indicator 
* Base
* Pins
* Indicator screw
* Straight edge
* Indicator set adjustment screw
* Indicator face
* Indicator pin
Zeroing the Gauge
It is recommended that before any measurements are taken that the gauge is “zeroed”. Gauges will also need to be re-zeroed periodically between usages as the gauge zero can be affected by temperature or if the gauge has been bumped.
To zero a gauge you will place it on the straight edge (5) and adjusting the indicator face (7) so that the needle reads zero when resting on top of the straight edge. To adjust the indicator face (7) the indicator screw (4) must be loosened, which will allow you to spin the indicator face.
Which side of the edge do you measure for bend?
Firstly you must understand the difference between the concave and convex side of the blade. Historically the gauge was used measuring the convex side of the blade. Due to some imperfections that can occur in blade thickness, high performance skaters started to measure the concave side of the blade as it is the effective side of the edge, which is in contact with the ice.
Measuring the concave side of the blade
When measuring the bend on the concave side of the blade, you will be able to establish a blade that is bent into the corner, out of the corner, and that is straight.
* A zero (0) reading indicates the blade is straight in that location
* When the needle travels right (red), 10-20-30 etc. it indicates the bend is going out of the corner.
* When the needle travels left (green), 90-80-70 etc. it indicates the bend is going into the corner.
* The further away from zero indicates the degree (amount) the bend is either going into or out of the corner
Best practices for holding the gauge when measuring bend
* The blade should be checked for burr and removed if found. A burr can greatly affect the readings of the bend as the pins will ride on the burr as opposed to the blade, which will inaccurately be reflected in the measurements.
* Sitting in a chair cross one leg over the other resting the ankle/shin on the opposite knee.
* Holding the skate by the boot, rest the end of the blade on the knee.
* Using the hand (left), the blade should be adjusted so the gauge sits flat on the blade.
* Using the opposite hand (right), run the gauge along the blade.
* Ensure the pins are resting flat on the blade and the blade and/or gauge is not tilted.
Bending Range
The bend in blades is very individual and there are numerous theories which exist. The following illustrations indicate the basic range of bend for short and long track. This example is measuring on the concave side of the blade. Please note bend and rocker work together and impact one another.
Measuring Rocker
What is a rocker?
Rocker refers to the radius of the blade, which is measured in meters. The radius can be consistent or variable, which can enhance a skaters gliding or turning ability. Short Track rockers are rounder (smaller radius) than long track rockers because of the tighter turns [8 meter radius vs 22 meter radius]. The following example will assist in understanding what a rocker is. If you where to put the bottom of the blade on an 8m radius circle it would follow the arc of the circle.
Best practices for holding the gauge when measuring rocker
* The blade should be checked for top burr and removed if found before measuring. Top burr can have an effect on the readings as the pins will be riding on the top burr and not on the blade, which will inaccurately reflect in the measurements.
* Rocker can easily be measured in a jig before sharpening.
* Best position for reading rocker is to mimic the same position as the skate would be in a jig. This can be done by sitting in a chair and clamping the boot between your legs
* Using both hands steady the gauge on top of the blade
* Ensure the gauge is not tilted and that it is held firmly and square to the blade.
Gauge Readings for Rocker
Rocker can be read with the end of the blade pointed in either direction. It is our recommendation that it is pointed in a direction that allows the skater the ability to see the recording increments on the tube. For information on recording bend and rocker please see below.
When measuring rocker the conversion chart is used to convert the gauge readings into a rocker reading, which is measured in meters. The following example shows a rocker indicator reading of 6.3 (sometimes referred to as 63). Using the conversion chart the radius in meters can be identified at this point in the blade (6.3 = 8 meter rocker).
Rocker Range
The rocker in blades is very individual and there are numerous theories which exist. Short Track rockers go from a standard 8m rocker (63 gauge reading), to complex variable rockers which incorporate multiple radius’s throughout the blade. Long Track rockers are generally consistent (22m-25m) throughout the blade. Variable rockers are more common in Short Track vs Long Track.
Set-Up For Monitoring Bend & Rocker
* Skaters should start by marking their blade in one inch increments. This can be done using a ruler to mark the runner of the blade with a felt tip marker.
* The blade should be marked on the concave side of the blade runner so that both bend and rocker can be recorded using the same marks.
* Measurements should be taken starting at the same end of the blade (ie toe to heel) each time.
Using a recording sheet, identify which end the measurements will start from and which mark the measurement will start at. This is done because the first mark that the gauge accurately starts reading at is when both pins make solid contact with the blade. The illustration below shows the first reading will start at the 3rd mark for both bend and rocker.
Recording Bend & Rocker
What to record in your equipment log:
* Date
* Left and Right Blade
* Plot each recording mark
* Comments
* How your blades feel
* Training phase (End, Speed, Recovery, Build)
* Results (Personal Best, Records)
* Ability to perform different track patterns and execute different skills ( ie defensive track, outside and inside passing)
* Location (ice rink, indoor or outdoor (LT specific))
When should you record your bend and rocker?
Readings should be taken periodically throughout the season. Skaters should work with their coaches to identify specific days within their yearly training program (YTP).
Rocker Templates
10 meter Variable/Compound Rocker
The short track rocker below is a basic template of what is known as a compound or variable 10m rocker. A variable or compound rocker can be used with any skater. General guidlines/ theories are:
1. Stronger, faster, technically sound skaters can increase the flat spot of the blade.
2. For younger skaters that are not as technically sound you would decrease the flat spot on the blade
There are always new theories being discovered, you will develop your own templates that work for you and/or your skaters. This template provides a basic guideline.
Blade placement
What is off-set & how do I use it effectively?
Off-set refers to the placement of the blade on the boot. This setting can be done with the blade moved to the left or right from the centre setting.
For alignment of blade a general rule of thumb is a ratio of 2:1 front to back. Developmental skaters should start with their blade as close to centre as possible. This will greatly assist with a direct line of power to the ice, as well as the ability to hold their ankles straight and transition from the inside to outside edges.
With the current structure of skating boots, off-set should be used to:
* Achieve optimal feel of a skaters bend and rocker
* To clear boot from rubbing on the corner. This should only be done if the skater has straight ankles while skating. If not, the skater needs to develop their ankle strength and stabilizers (see skill development section of the website)
* To achieve individual anatomical alignment, which allows skaters to use both inside and outside edges (see "Using off-set to straighten up ankle alignment")
Using off-set to straighten up ankle alignment
An individual approach should be taken with each skater as their can be subtle differences from skater to skater. If you notice that a skater is struggling to keep their ankles straight or get to an outer edge we recommend the following blade position change indicated with the green arrows.
What are the best practices for marking off-set?
The most accurate way to mark an off-set is to use a piece of masking tape on the bottom of the boot. Marks should be made using a pen on the tape in 1mm increments so that adjustments can be made and monitored accurately. As off-set may need to be moved throughout the season or blades removed for travel etc. You will need to find an alignment on the cups, which aligns with the marks on the tape. The illustration below shows an example marking location and alignment with the blade cups.
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