Skate Blade Information
CHOOSING YOUR BLADE SIZE: When choosing the length of your blade, first measure the sole of your boot from the center front (generally where the seam is) to the center back of the heel. In general, the blade size should be ¼” smaller than the length of the sole. Although this is the suggested measurement, most skaters who are still growing prefer to size their blade “tip to tip”. This is when the blade is the same measurement as the sole of the boot. It is then mounted from the very tip of the toes, to the very back of the heel. This makes it possible to reuse the blade on the next size boots if the blade still has life to it.
TOE PICKS: When a skater is first starting out, the toe pick on the beginner skaters blade are very small, and set high on the blade away from the ice. This keeps them “out of the way” for now, for a beginner skater is not using toe picks just yet. The toe picks are not used until a skater starts to jump and spin. Many beginner skaters tend to use them to “push off” the ice when stroking. This is poor form, and should not be encouraged.
As the skater advances and learns new technique’s like jumps, spins and 3-turms, their blade will need to have a larger toe pick. This will enable them to perform the techniques they are being taught. Upon examining different skates, you will notice the toe picks change as you go up in level. They are set lower on the blade, so they are closer to the ice, and they become larger and more aggressive looking. Some have a straight-cut design, others have a cross-cut design.
The toe pick that is closest to the ice is called the “drag pick”. It “scratches” into the ice when a skater goes into a scratch spin. The second pick is the master pick. When a skater leaves the ice when performing a Waltz jump or Axel, the master pick is the last thing to leave the ice, and the first to touch down on the landing.
When a skater is performing toe jumps, they are “vaulting” from the toe pick. When doing an Axel or Waltz jump, the skater is taking off from the toe picks. A Salchow is technically an edge jump, but this jump has a little toe pick involved at the moment of lift off. So no matter what jump you are performing, you are using the toe picks. So it is important to have the right blade for what you are doing.
When shopping for your next blade, take note as to the style of the toe picks, and the price of the blade. Advanced skaters who are performing multiple rotation jumps will need larger toe picks – these blades can cost over $500. The beginner skater will have a blade that cost around $50.
TOE PICKS: When a skater is first starting out, the toe pick on the beginner skaters blade are very small, and set high on the blade away from the ice. This keeps them “out of the way” for now, for a beginner skater is not using toe picks just yet. The toe picks are not used until a skater starts to jump and spin. Many beginner skaters tend to use them to “push off” the ice when stroking. This is poor form, and should not be encouraged.
As the skater advances and learns new technique’s like jumps, spins and 3-turms, their blade will need to have a larger toe pick. This will enable them to perform the techniques they are being taught. Upon examining different skates, you will notice the toe picks change as you go up in level. They are set lower on the blade, so they are closer to the ice, and they become larger and more aggressive looking. Some have a straight-cut design, others have a cross-cut design.
The toe pick that is closest to the ice is called the “drag pick”. It “scratches” into the ice when a skater goes into a scratch spin. The second pick is the master pick. When a skater leaves the ice when performing a Waltz jump or Axel, the master pick is the last thing to leave the ice, and the first to touch down on the landing.
When a skater is performing toe jumps, they are “vaulting” from the toe pick. When doing an Axel or Waltz jump, the skater is taking off from the toe picks. A Salchow is technically an edge jump, but this jump has a little toe pick involved at the moment of lift off. So no matter what jump you are performing, you are using the toe picks. So it is important to have the right blade for what you are doing.
When shopping for your next blade, take note as to the style of the toe picks, and the price of the blade. Advanced skaters who are performing multiple rotation jumps will need larger toe picks – these blades can cost over $500. The beginner skater will have a blade that cost around $50.
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