The RinkFor the not so ready for prime-time players, coaches, referees, and the people that have to live with them. Discuss experiences in local leagues, coaching tips, equipment, and training.
3/8 is very extreme for a goalie. 3/4 is pretty standard but I could see an NHL goalie going with a narrower hollow. Because goalies slide side to side a narrow hollow will catch if their technique isn't good.
3/8 is very extreme for a goalie. 3/4 is pretty standard but I could see an NHL goalie going with a narrower hollow. Because goalies slide side to side a narrow hollow will catch if their technique isn't good.
Not anymore. The trend has swung to the other side of the spectrum. High-end goaltenders are skating on much deeper hollows than even 7 years ago. 1/2" and deeper is very common. You will even come across goalies who want 1/4", which is insane and a pain to sharpen.
Not anymore. The trend has swung to the other side of the spectrum. High-end goaltenders are skating on much deeper hollows than even 7 years ago. 1/2" and deeper is very common. You will even come across goalies who want 1/4", which is insane and a pain to sharpen.
Like I said, it makes sense for very good goaltenders because their technique in their lateral movement is good. If you happen to catch and edge with a 1/4 hollow you're going to flying over yourself though. Sharpening that would be the exact same though.... the only pain is the drastic changes to the wheel.
Like I said, it makes sense for very good goaltenders because their technique in their lateral movement is good. If you happen to catch and edge with a 1/4 hollow you're going to flying over yourself though.
Yeah, I always wonder how they don't break an ankle!
If you go back and forth between FBV and regular it will wear the blades down quicker but otherwise it's not much different.
I started 100/50 but have been doing 90/75 for a long time. One time I did 90/50 but it didn't have enough bite for me.
And yeah...first skate with it, glide is 10x better!
Alright, thanks for the additional info. I did some more reading, and made the decision to try out FBV. I've been having pretty much the same problem the OP has had (hated sharp skate, took a few skates to start to feel comfortable again). Going from there I'm leaning towards going 90/75 on the first go. Any thoughts? Should I start with 100/75?
I just switched to FBV a couple of sharpenings ago. I found that the glide is much better with FBV than it was with traditional.
The previous time I tried 5/8, but didn't feel that it was quite enough bite. On the FBV I got 100/50 the first time but yesterday it was a different shop and they didn't have the same system, so instead of 100/50 they said it was equivalent to a 7? The sharpening was fine, a little chattery at first on stops but that went away fairly quickly.
I was told by a teammate that FBV would wear down the blades faster on cheaper skates. The guy in the pro shop said it really wasn't any difference between traditional and FBV as far as wearing down the blades. Has anyone else heard that it does?
It really is a matter of preference. If you're not a great skater, you can certainly work on skating - but if having a different radius makes a difference, why not try it?
If you are at 1/2" or deeper, try 100/50. Over 1/2", try 90/75.
I could google it but you explain things so well.
What do the two numbers represent? I tried FBV at one point and loved it. Then I took a six or 12 month break from skating, tried it again and hated it. There was too much lateral slide when I was skating straight ahead and I lost all confidence in stopping suddenly. I went back to 1/2 and felt solid on my skates again.
I'm tempted to give FBV one more try, especially if I can sort out the exact cut I should use.
Man I feel like a weirdo on here here using 7/16 as a forward lol. I consider myself a decent skater and I love the bite I get with a 7/16 sharpening. I also sharpen my own skates (one of the best in the tri-state area! ;-) ) so I'm real particular about how they feel.
Man I feel like a weirdo on here here using 7/16 as a forward lol. I consider myself a decent skater and I love the bite I get with a 7/16 sharpening. I also sharpen my own skates (one of the best in the tri-state area! ;-) ) so I'm real particular about how they feel.
I sharpen my own skates too and I've tried everything from 3/8 to 5/8. I ended up just sticking with the 1/2 inch.. I find as long as I sharpen them every couple of games I get solid bite while not losing the glide which I did notice I lost at the smaller radius'
What do the two numbers represent? I tried FBV at one point and loved it. Then I took a six or 12 month break from skating, tried it again and hated it. There was too much lateral slide when I was skating straight ahead and I lost all confidence in stopping suddenly. I went back to 1/2 and felt solid on my skates again.
I'm tempted to give FBV one more try, especially if I can sort out the exact cut I should use.
Let's say this is the skate blade (upside down), there's two "teeth" on the outside and a flat gap (bottom) between them:
|\______/|
The first number is the length of the flat gap and the second is the height of the teeth.
Beyond that it's over my head, so here's a technical explanation:
I've seen that chart before, and I still find it hard to believe that Gonchar skates on a 1" cut.
When Jim Johnson used to coach a team with PF Changs (Jr. Coyotes now) he had his kids using something like 1 1/4". Some of them still swear by it even after he moved on a few years ago.
3/8 is very extreme for a goalie. 3/4 is pretty standard but I could see an NHL goalie going with a narrower hollow.
This is completely wrong.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TieClark
It seems almost impossible... that's drastic for a goalie never mind a player
It isn't just drastic for a goalie, it's completely and nonsensically retarded and something no competent goalie would use. Goalies don't typically get flatter hollows. This isn't the 80's.
It isn't just drastic for a goalie, it's completely and nonsensically retarded and something no competent goalie would use. Goalies don't typically get flatter hollows. This isn't the 80's.
Goalies do get wider hollows... the blades on a goalie skate are wider than a players skate, thus wider hollows.
I skate on a 3/4" hollow because I found anything lower would bite into the ice too much. Give it a shot, can't hurt.
I even tried 1" hollow, felt great for gliding and transitions, but always felt a step behind trying to stay with going driving the net while on D.
But if you are just trying to work on technique 1" might make a good starting point and then work your way down to 3/4", etc as you get more confident and build ankle/leg strength.
Goalies do get wider hollows... the blades on a goalie skate are wider than a players skate, thus wider hollows.
Yes it is. You've obviously completely missed the point. He isn't talking about the width of the blade.
He is completely correct, in the 80's 3/4 was standard for goalies because they had to move around quicker on their feet but now with the wide use of the butterfly it is necessary to have a deeper hollow for grip when pushing off while on your knees
Last edited by Imaginary Threats: 12-07-2012 at 06:57 PM.
I find more and more goalies are using 1/2" now, dunno if it's a majority.
I've always had 1/2 half for my goalie skates. Many moons ago when I was just a kid and first started playing goalie I had no idea what grind was the best to get so I just told the guy in the shop to do whatever and I guess he went for 1/2 to be on the safe side since it is like the middle ground, and I've always had that since because I'm used to it.
Yes it is. You've obviously completely missed the point. He isn't talking about the width of the blade.
He is completely correct, in the 80's 3/4 was standard for goalies because they had to move around quicker on their feet but now with the wide use of the butterfly it is necessary to have a deeper hollow for grip when pushing off while on your knees
No I didn't miss the point at all, he's wrong. The blades are wider.... the radius is how wide the hollow is. Naturally the radius is wider for a goalie skate than a player skate. A 3/4 radius for a goalie skate is similar to a 1/2 or a 5/8 player cut. A 1/2 cut is similar to a 3/8 player cut. Etc. Going all the way down to 3/8 for a goalie is very drastic. Some goalies may like that but it's still drastic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hyster110
most of the goalies i know are 3/8th with a few who want 1/4
I have no idea where you play but that is unheard of... 1/4 is insane. Never in my life have I seen it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AIREAYE
I find more and more goalies are using 1/2" now, dunno if it's a majority.
Yeah 1/2 is pretty normal but I wouldn't call it the majority.
