SHAPING (CUSTOM RADIUS) - PROFILE
  • Aside from the hollow, the other consideration is the sideways shape of the blade. Several terms are used to describe this shape: profile, curvature, contouring, radius*, rocker, and lie
  • Profile matters because it determines your posture, how you will push off and turn, and how much blade touches the ice (which impacts speed, balance, and maneuverability)
  • In talking about profile, there are two elements to consider: the RADIUS (sometimes called the rocker) and the LIE:

RADIUS*
Smaller Radius = Rounder
  • Less blade touches ice
 Bigger Radius = Flatter
  • More blade touches ice
LESS SPEED MORE
MORE PIVOT / TURN
(Maneuverability)		 LESS
LESS STABILITY MORE
  • With less blade on the ice, your skates will feel lighter and you’ll move with more agility in the corners, but when the puck gets slapped away, it’ll take you longer to get back in the action
LIE
  • The LIE (also known as PITCH) positions body weight, in other words, it affects the posture of the skater
  • When a skater is standing erect, he should be directly on the high point (or the pivot point) of the radius - balanced between falling forward or backward
  • NEUTRAL ROCKER
    • High point is in the center of the blade
  • FORWARD LIE or pitch
    • (High point is back of center)
    • Skater leans forward slightly -- better acceleration and stick handling position
Why is it called “radius” and what does this number mean?
Why is it called “radius” and what does this number mean?
The measurement of RADIUS:
  • Imagine a giant circle – with a radius of 7-13 feet. (The radius is the measurement from the center to the edge.)
  • Imagine a skate blade placed inside the circle. The curve of the blade matches the edge of the circle.
  • The radius of this circle is the measurement that is used to describe the curve of the blade.
Unlike the “radius of hollow” measurements which are fractions of an inch, the blade radius is described in feet, for example: 11 or 13 feet.