Goalie Skate Sharpening

What radius or hollow is right for you?

The selection of a proper radius or hollow for your skate blades is an individual decision. We will give you an overview and recommendations to help make your decision easier. Defined: the radius or hollow of your hockey skate blade determines the depth of the blade edge. The correct hollow will result in a skate blade with sharp edges and allow for a smooth glide, easy stops, and quick starts. A smaller radius of 1/4" will give you a blade with edges that have more bite and a deeper groove, than a blade with a larger radius of 1". The deeper the groove will result in edges which penetrate the ice deeper increasing drag and requiring more energy to accelerate.


It was previously thought that goalies always used a very dull skate, but with the skills and styles of today we're seeing quite a verity of hallows being used. So this theory is out the window, and if someone tells you different they're living in the past.

If you're a butterfly goalie, and you spend a lot of time on your knees, butterfly sliding, overdrive slides, and rely on down recoveries. You're going to want to try a sharper edge on your skates. 1/2" or 3/8" are to two most common "sharper" edges with butterfly goalies.

If you're a stand up goalie and you tend to do a lot more shuffling to keep your angles, you may want to try a duller blade. As this will allow your blade to slide better across the ice, and cause less edges caught on the ice resulting in some sprained ankles and what not.

Marc-Andre Fleury uses a 3/4"
Brent Johnson uses a 3/8"

How can you determine what sharpening hollow is on your skate?

It is easy to determine the current blade hollow using a penny and your best eye judgment. First, flip your skate upside down so the skate blade is facing up. Secondly, hold your skate at eye level and look down the skate blade. Thirdly, pinch a penny between your thumb and pointer finger so it is upright and facing you. Next, place the bottom curvature of the penny in the skate blades hollow holding the penny upright. Finally, look at the bottom of the penny to see how the blade follows the curvature of the penny. (A penny is equivalent to a 3/8” radius hollow)

If the curvature of the penny looks like it “fits” snugly in the hollow of the blade then the blade is a 3/8”. If the penny can be slightly rocked back-and-forth between the blade edges your hollow is shallower than 3/8” and often a 1/2” radius hollow. If the penny touches both edges and light can readily be seen between the bottom curvature of the penny and the blade hollow your skate has a deep 5/16” radius hollow.