Skate Sharpening

Picking a Hollow

Hollow Shape

A traditional skate hollow uses a rounded groove, which creates two edges and a curved bottom. The depth of that curve controls how much bite you get — deeper hollows give more grip but also create more drag, which reduces glide.

A flat‑bottom hollow reshapes that groove into a flatter center with two sharp edges. Because the middle is flatter, there’s less surface area contacting the ice, which reduces friction. The result is a sharpening that delivers more glide while maintaining the same level of bite/grip you’d expect from a traditional hollow of similar depth.

Skater Weight and Ice Conditions

Skater weight and ice conditions both play a big role in choosing the right hollow. Heavier skaters naturally press deeper into the ice, which increases bite, so they often prefer a shallower hollow to avoid feeling too “stuck” or over‑gripped. Lighter skaters don’t sink in as much, so they typically benefit from a deeper hollow to get enough edge control.

Ice conditions matter just as much. Harder, colder ice provides less natural bite, so a slightly deeper hollow helps maintain grip. Softer, warmer ice creates more friction, so a shallower hollow keeps the skates from digging in too aggressively.

Finding the right hollow is all about balancing weight, ice hardness, and the feel the skater wants on their edges.

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