Affordable skate sharpening and Convenient Drop Off & Pick Up with a 24-Hour Drop Box!
Different Skates and Different Needs
Hockey Skates
Skate Sharpening Hollow Options & Benefits:
- 7/16" Standard: slightly deeper than the 1/2", this hollow offers more bite for increased edge control and stopping power while still maintaining a good balance of glide. Ideal for skaters who want extra grip for sharper turns and quick transitions without sacrificing too much speed.
- 1/2” Standard: Most common grind, a balance of grip and glide. Ideal for players who need quick acceleration and strong edge control. Works well on both hard and soft ice.
- 5/8” Standard: More glide, slightly less bite with moderate control. Great for those who prefer speed but still need reliable edge grip. Ideal for harder ice where less bite is needed, providing better glide.
- 1/2” Fire Ring: Flat bottom design, a modern alternative to the standard 1/2" hollow. Provides maximum glide while still offering a balanced grip, perfect for players seeking speed and a consistent edge. Performs well on both hard and soft ice.
- 5/8” Fire Ring: Smoother glide with less bite – ideal for players looking for speed and fluid movement. Optimal performance on harder ice, offering moderate bite with excellent glide.
Goalie Skates
Skate Sharpening Hollow Options & Benefits:
- 1/2” Standard: More bite for powerful pushes in the crease.
- 5/8” Standard: Balanced grip and glide for smooth lateral movements.
Figure Skates
Figure Skates
Skate Sharpening Hollow Options & Benefits:
- 7/16" Standard: slightly deeper than the 1/2", this hollow offers more bite for increased edge control and stopping power while still maintaining a good balance of glide. Ideal for skaters who want extra grip for sharper turns and quick transitions without sacrificing too much speed.
- 1/2” Standard: Most common grind, a balance of grip and glide. Ideal for players who need quick acceleration and strong edge control. Works well on both hard and soft ice.
- 1/2” Fire Ring: Flat bottom design, a modern alternative to the standard 1/2" hollow. Provides maximum glide while still offering a balanced grip, perfect for players seeking speed and a consistent edge. Performs well on both hard and soft ice.
Understanding Hollows & The SParx Sharpening Machine
The Sparx Sharpener
About the Sparx Sharpener:
At Just Skate Sharpening, we use the Sparx Sharpener, a state-of-the-art, precision-driven skate sharpening system trusted by 25+ NHL teams and thousands of professional, amateur, and recreational skaters worldwide.
Why Sparx? Precision & Consistency Every Time
Unlike traditional sharpening methods that rely on hand-guided techniques, the Sparx Sharpener delivers a perfectly even hollow every time, ensuring unmatched consistency and performance. Whether you’re a hockey player, figure skater, or goalie, your skates will have the same perfect edge every time you step on the ice.
Key Benefits of the Sparx Sharpener:
✔ Pro-Level Accuracy – The same sharpening technology trusted by NHL teams.
✔ Consistent Every Time – No human error, just precision.
✔ Custom Hollows for Every Skater – Choose from a variety of hollows, including standard cuts and the Sparx Fire Ring for a mix of glide and grip.
✔ Safer for Your Blades – Less metal removal compared to traditional sharpening, extending blade life.
By combining Sparx technology with expert oversight, we ensure every skate we sharpen is dialed in for maximum performance on the ice.
Experience the difference—try a Sparx-sharpened edge today!
Radius of Hollow
Understanding Radius of Hollow (ROH):
The radius of hollow (ROH) refers to the concave groove sharpened into the bottom of your skate blade. This groove determines how much of your blade makes contact with the ice, directly impacting grip, glide, and overall performance.
A deeper hollow means the edges of your blade cut into the ice more, giving you better grip but less glide. A shallower hollow reduces edge bite, making it easier to glide but with less stopping power.
Common ROH Choices & Their Effects
• Deeper Hollow (3/8”, 7/16”, 1/2”) – More bite, ideal for quick stops and agility-focused skaters.
• Medium Hollow (9/16”, 5/8”) – A balanced option for all-around skating performance.
• Shallower Hollow (3/4”, 1”) – Maximizes glide and speed, preferred by goalies and endurance skaters.
• Flat Bottom/“Fire” Hollow – A modern design that provides grip without sacrificing glide.
Your weight, playing style, and ice conditions all factor into the best hollow for you.
At Just Skate Sharpening, we offer expert guidance to help you find the perfect edge for your game.
Sparx Hollow Options: Radius vs Fire
Traditional Hollow VS Flat-Bottom Hollow
The Flat-Bottom Fire rings increase glide while maintaining the grip a Traditional Hollow skate sharpening offers
Traditional Hollow
The Sparx Radius Rings produces the traditional hollows most commonly used in hockey, including the most popular 1/2” and 5/8” cuts. Choose from 12 different radius rings – from the deepest hollow for extreme grip (1/4”) to the flattest hollow for unmatched glide (1-3/4”).
Flat-Bottom Hollow
Near Rochester or Birmingham, MI and looking to get the skate sharpening grip you need with the benefit of extra glide? Sparx FIRE Ring hollows provide exactly what you are looking for – the best of both worlds. Available in four different cuts (3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”) the FIRE ring is a re-imagined and optimized flat bottom hollow that provides improved glide while still maintain desired bite.