Does the Sweet-Stick™
replace sharpening?
-
No. However, if you have not totally
lost and edge and your looking to regain that BITE
from being on the ice after a few skates the
Sweet-Stick is a perfect tool. If you have lost and
edge it's time to have your skates sharpened.
Can I over use my
Sweet-Stick?
-
Yes. At some point the Sweet-Stick
will not have any effect on the edges, usually after
4-6 uses it's time to have your skates traditionally
sharpened and you can start the process over again.
Can the Sweet-Stick
damage my blades?
-
If
properly used the Sweet-Stick will not damage
your blades. However, it is possible that if you
apply heavy pressure it could actually over-sharpen
your edges, giving you too much bite.
When should I have my
skates sharpened?
-
If you've lost an edge or after about
8-10 hours on the ice (even using the Sweet-Stick™)
it's time to have them done again.
Checking your edges
-
Edges loose anywhere from 15-25% of
the efficiency of the edge for each hour on the ice.
So it's best to think about having your skates
sharpened around the 4th skate.
-
You don't need to use your thumb nail
to check how sharp your skates are. This means
nothing. However, to check for a lost edge hold the
skate upside down in a light and look down the
blade. If you see a "flat" or "shiny" spot longer
than 1/8" of an inch they should be re-sharpened.
Skate Maintenance
-
Check your edges after each skate.
It's easier to have them sharpened after you skate
rather than remembering right before you skate.
-
Keep your skates dry. Not only the
blades (especially non-stainless steel) but the
boots as well. Remove them from your bag so they dry
completely before your next skate. Wet skates
deteriorate quicker, are heavier to skate in and
SMELL really bad for your favorite skate sharpener!
-
Also, if the foot beds in your skates
are removable take those out too. This will reduce
the chance of your skate rivets from rusting.
Tips for tying and
untying your skates
-
When untying your laces, remove the
laces from the top 3 or 4 eyelets. It's easier to
pull your foot out, and easier to put in the next
time you skate. Plus you'll find your foot is more
comfortable in your boot.
-
When you're tying laces, before
making a bow, wrap the laces twice, not once. This
way when you make your bow your laces won't loosen
up and they'll stay tight.
-
If your laces are frayed at the ends
- BUY NEW ONES!
-
Do not wrap your laces or tape around
your skate boot. This restricts forward knee bend
and will force your heel forward and put you on your
toes, rather than the main portion of your blade on
the ice to gain full stride, speed & balance.
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