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Hey guys. I've got these new skates and I'm going to apply some customization. One of
my friends has a sharpening machine, so he can reduce the flat surface in the middle
to zero. And which blade do you think is better for cornering? A blade with a 9 mm deep radius
of hollow (ROH) or with a 20 mm? It's far from obvious. I'll explain you why.
Before that just a few seconds about the sharpening machine. There you can see a counterweight
which pushes the grindstone against the blade. The little wheel's task is to follow the profile.
Just like copying a key. We have options for profiles and edge types as well.
So let's start with the templates. Longer flat surface in the middle means faster ice
skates. The little dots mark the flat parts. But we are targeting zero now, this leads
to better manoverability, at the expense of acceleration, speed and stability. We even
have choise. I'm chosing the symmetric one and going with the 11' feet radius. This had
the most curve here, though not the most extreme. The other one is an asymmetric, it's like
a boat. After the first round my skate looks like this. Front and rear parts don't need
to be altered since they are specially designed by the manufacturer. Profiling modifies the
middle part. The blade options: This should be familiar
to you, this applies to the classic shapes. How the hollow is calculated: the number means
the radius of the circle which is carved into the blade. 3 divided by 8 inches converted
to mms is 9. Well, acutally 9,5 not 9. Which is better for fast turning: The 9 mm or a
much shallower for example 20 mm. I created a scaled up version of the blades so I can
better explain. On the left the 9mm, right 20 mm. Not much of a difference actually.
If you are starting to tilt the skate, the 9mm's bite will face a littlebit away while
the 20mm will carve in the ice in a slightly better angle. Because of this theory I thought
both of them worth a try. I'll start with the 9 mm. By the way there are many guidelines
for hockey players like this on the internet. It suggests radius for you judging by your
weight and skill level. One advice: Forget that a beginner should use shallower blades
and a pros should use a deeper. They are different. Both have advantages and disadvantages. But
you will see in a minute. What the most important here is that the heavier a person is, the
less edge is suggested. Now that we know everything let's enter the
arena with some expectations. I expect that the front-back balance will be worse, skates
will be slower, however turning will be awesome, and the stops will be maybe a littlebit harder.
Let's see. Balance: After entering the ice I honestly didn't feel any change in balance
comparing to M-13 stock t'blade which I had before. Speed however: I really felt it right
away. It's slower. Fast turns: When I was going with a high speed it could hold me tight.
Just as expected. And the same applied when I was trying different tricks. It's not much
of a surprise. The blades dig deep into the ice. Spread angle: No really change here,
I think you just need sharp blades here, not deep radius for this trick. Unforseen situations:
Very reliable blade. Stops: Harder. Sometimes balance problems, but I think it's natural
because of the deep blade. And finally Jumping: No problem with that, the landings were predictable.
And now the 20mm: I really felt the charasteristics of that
banana blade. Just as expected. Sometimes balance problems. But! The 20 mm is much-much
faster than the 9 mm. What about the turning: they locked me tight on the ice. Really, even
in a low angle. I was able to keep most of my speed. Spread angle: No change here. For
the unforseen situations and footwork: oh boy, I'm going everywhere. So slippery, huge
balance problems here. Maybe because its faster. Stops: Of couse easier. And jumpings finally:
it's exactly the same. My overall conclusion is this: With the 9mm you have more control,
with the 20mm you have more speed. And you need practice to control that speed. Maybe
these blades aren't really for the beginners. Now that I chose a banana shape especially
for sharp turnings, I Think I don't want to lose that advantage. I will somewhere in-between.
As always, thank you guys for watching guys. See you soon.