In order to skate well, skaters need to have their blades set correctly and have them sharpened to the skaters level and needs.

How often should blades be sharpened?

This varies from skater to skater. A beginner who only skates once or twice a week will not require their blades sharpened as often as a higher level skater who skates everyday. There are other factors to consider for frequency of blade sharpening:-

 * Condition of the ice

 * Damaging edges caused by walking around without wearing guards

 * Frequency of use

 * Blades connecting with other skaters blades when skating in groups, pairs or jumps

In the end, the frequency of blade sharpening is left up to the skater. A recommended guide is 20 to 30 hours of skating for a medium to high level skater. However, the final decision on sharpening is left up to the skater, if the skater they are slipping and finding it difficult to control their edges then this could indicate that sharpening is required.

Handy Tips

* After any skating session, wipe down boots and blades with a dry cloth.

* Arriving home, unpack boots and allow to dry to room temperature before packing away.

* Ensure blade guards are cleaned regularly. Accumulation of dirt in the guard slot can cause blades to rust and damage the blade edges.

* Always use blade guards when walking around. It is not a good idea to leave guards on when storing boots away unless everything is clean and dry.

* Have the blades checked and sharpened at least 5 to 10 days prior to competitions (skaters discretion).

* Check that the blades are secure on the boots and no screws are loose or missing.