Sparx Hockey, inventors of the innovative Sparx Skate Sharpener, today announced it has secured its 20th global patent, securing the company’s position as the No. 1 brand in skate sharpening and the undisputed leader in automated sharpening technology.
The latest patent focuses on Sparx Hockey’s revolutionary alignment system that allows the Sparx Sharpener to achieve unparalleled accuracy on any skate blade from any manufacturer, including player, goalie, and figure skates. The company’s patented, innovative alignment system is combined with the latest in laser alignment technology in Sparx Hockey’s flagship product, the Sparx Sharpener 3.
The Sparx Sharpener 3 is the latest version of the Sparx Sharpener, an automated, easy-to-use skate sharpener that is currently utilized by nearly 100,000 households, teams, rinks and retailers around the world. More than 8 million sharpenings per year are conducted using Sparx Sharpening technology, making Sparx Hockey the No. 1 skate sharpener in the industry.
“Our latest patent is a testament to our never-ending focus and commitment to producing the most advanced skate sharpening products in the world,” said Russell Layton, CEO and Founder, Sparx Hockey. “Our innovative alignment system and the Sparx Sharpener 3 are the culmination of years of research, design and development by our team of engineers that are solely focused on creating the most advanced skate sharpening products in the world.”
The Sparx Sharpener 3 includes the revolutionary Sparx BEAMTM, which stands for the Blade Edge Accuracy Measurement device. This sophisticated laser measurement device serves as a highly-accurate laser alignment tool for the machine as well as a state-of-the-art laser edge checker to ensure skate blade edges are perfectly even after every sharpening. The Sparx BEAM measures edge blade evenness to 1/10,000th of an inch which equates to 1/40th the thickness of a piece of paper.
In addition to the Sparx BEAM, the Sparx Sharpener 3 also features a revolutionary mobile app interface. The app unlocks enhanced sharpener controls, in-depth Sparx BEAM readings and allows users to create personalized profiles to track sharpening preferences, sharpening history and also notifies the user when it’s time to sharpen. The Sparx Sharpener 3 includes QR code labels that can be affixed to skates and scanned with the Sparx Hockey app to easily see users’ sharpening preferences and history.
“The Sparx Sharpener 3 and the Sparx BEAM provide a level of accuracy and precision that simply can’t be found in any other skate sharpener in the world. Our dedicated approach to constantly advancing the skate sharpening industry reminds me of when Apple came to market and reimagined the cellular phone industry,” Russell said. “While other skate sharpening brands are comfortable being the Blackberry, our goal is to be the iPhone of the skate sharpening industry and constantly push the limits of enhanced user-experience, product innovation and sharpening precision.”
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Sparx Hockey today unveiled its newest product - the Sparx Sharpener 3 and Sparx Sharpener 3 Pro. This evolution of the Sparx Sharpener creates the first-ever integrated skate sharpening experience.
The Sparx Sharpener 3 and Sparx Sharpener 3 Pro feature the revolutionary Sparx BEAM, which stands for Blade Edge Accuracy Measurement device. This laser alignment and edge measurement tool measures skate blade edges to 1/10,000th of an inch - which equates to slicing the thickness of a piece of paper 40 times!
Combined with the all new Sparx Hockey App, the Sparx Sharpener 3 and Sparx Sharpener 3 Pro usher in a whole new paradigm in skate Sharpening.
To learn more about this exciting advancement in sharpening technology, check out the below video from Sparx Hockey CEO and Founder Russ Layton.
]]>Once you have sharpened your skates and completed the deburring process, it is always a good idea to check your edges to make sure they are even. Below are few different ways to measure your edges.
EDGE CHECKER
Shown below is the Sparx Edge Checker, a precision tool crafted and designed to measure skate blades. It is important to utilize an edge checker from a reputable skate sharpening company because small differences in the manufacturing process of an edge checker can cause inaccurate edge readings. With the skate upside down (and deburred), secure the Sparx Edge Checker on the sharpened skate blade. Place the magentic tilt bar on the top of the skating surface and use the lines to confirm the edges are of equal height. We recommend testing in the heel, mid, and toe locations on the skate blade.
It is important to note that there is a margin of error in which a small difference in edge height is undetectable to any skater, even the highest-level professional player. We’ve done extensive testing looking at a skater’s sensitivity to uneven edges. We have found that players, at any level, cannot detect skate blades that are uneven by less than 3/1000ths of an inch (.003”). If you are within this range (which is marked green on the side of the Sparx Edge Checker), we recommend you do not make adjustments as skaters will be unable to feel a difference. To put it in perspective, .003” is less than the thickness of a piece of paper.
THE COIN TEST
While using a Sparx Edge Checker gives you the most accurate reading of whether or not your edges are even, a “quarter test” can also be used in the absence of an edge checker. After getting your skates sharpened and having them deburred, turn the skate upside down. With the blade facing the ceiling, carefully balance a coin on the skating surface. Bring the skate blade to eye-level and look down the blade towards the coin. If there is a significant height difference between the inside and outside edge, it will be visible; you’ll see one side of the coin will be higher than the other. If you see this, we recommend re-sharpening your skates.
After testing and confirming the edges of your skate blade are even, you will want to confirm they are indeed sharp.
When we say sharp edges, what we mean is that the inside and outside edges of your skate blade are razor-sharp, clean and without burrs or nicks.
Many people are familiar with the fingernail test to check your edges. We recommend testing 3-5 spots up and down the blade on both the inside and outside edges. If you feel a little bite to your nail as you drag it across the edge – the edge is sharp. If your fingernail ever feels like it slides across the edge smoothly (i.e. as if the edge were rounded and not sharp) – this is an indication that the edge might not be sharpened properly and we recommend re-sharpening your skates.
A smooth finish on the skating surface of your blade is the final factor we look for when inspecting for a perfect sharpening. A nice, smooth finish contributes to a near frictionless glide of the skate on the ice surface. Basic science says, the rougher a surface, the more friction created when moving one object over another.
The smoother the surface we can create, the less friction or drag we’ll have when the blade is gliding on ice. If you’ve ever experienced skates that feel sluggish, a rough surface finish could be slowing you down.
THE VISUAL CHECK
A proper sharpening will leave a mirror-like finish with nothing more than very fine lines visible that run the length of the blade from heel to toe. A rough surface, which typically is visible, oftentimes has a snakeskin like or scalloped pattern that runs across the blade. When you see a pattern like this, it is not a good sharpening. Visible lines cause friction and reduce overall glide, decreasing on-ice speed.
THE SURFACE TEST
The easiest test for smooth surface finish is to slide the edge of a fingernail lengthwise down the hollow that was sharpened into the blade. If the fingernail slides along the blade with a mostly friction-free slide (i.e. if you don’t feel anything) then the skate blade is sufficiently smooth. If the fingernail feels a zipper-like sensation as it slides down the blade then the surface is not smooth enough and the skate should be corrected.
Whether you prefer a traditional or a flat-bottom hollow, a smooth finish matters. A proper finish reduces friction and conserves energy.
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After every skate sharpening and before testing the edges, we recommend deburring both sides of the blade with a deburring stone, rubber stone or leather strop. In any sharpening (manual or automated), when the stone cuts the steel, it is cutting out the desired hollow and often this cut will leave behind steel that has “folded over” the sides of the blade. By using a deburring stone, you can easily remove this folded over steel and ensure the two edges of your steel are clean. When selecting which deburring stone to use – here is a helpful guide.
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There is often confusion between the Radius of Hollow of a skate blade and the profile (also known as the ‘rocker’ or ‘contour’). This confusion is understandable because both terms use the radius of a circle as their measurement. When referring to the Radius of Hollow (the depth of the cut in the blade), the measurement is in inches. When referring to the profile of the skate blade, the measurement is in feet.
A profile represents the length of the skate blade (from heel to toe) as part of a larger circle. The most common sizes are a 9-foot radius, an 11-foot radius and a 13-foot radius, although there are additional profile options available. With a smaller profile (9 ft), less of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice. With a larger profile (13 ft), more of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice. Both have their pros and cons and that is why it is important for each individual player to identify which profile is best for them. Generally speaking, a smaller profile is better for agility and maneuverability and a larger profile is better for speed.
One of the most confusing aspects of skate sharpening for most individuals is the term Radius of Hollow. While there is some basic math involved, the concept of Radius of Hollow (or hollow or RoH for short) is quite simple. A radius is the distance from the center of a circle to its outer edge and a hollow is a cut or depression in something. In the skate sharpening world, the Radius of Hollow is simply the depth of the cut ground into the bottom of the blade. A smaller Radius of Hollow will create more grip in the ice while a larger Radius of Hollow will result in more glide.
The basic principle of Radius of Hollow is the shallower cut of the blade, the skater will experience more glide in the ice and the deeper the cut into the blade, the skater will have more grip in the ice.
With all other factors remaining equal, the flatter the surface (shallower cut), the faster the skate will glide on ice. A perfectly flat skating surface would therefore be ideal for maximum speed. Unfortunately, in hockey and figure skating, the skaters also need to turn and stop. To make it possible to turn and stop, a concave profile - a Radius of Hollow - is cut into the skating surface. The concave edges of this surface provide the skater with lateral (side to side) bite or grip in the ice that makes turning and stopping possible.
Shown below is an example of the Radius of Hollow getting numerically larger and the cut in the skate blade getting physically shallower as you go from left to right. Simply put, the deeper Radius of Hollows on the left have greater grip in the ice than the shallower Radius of Hollows on the right.
DEEPER HOLLOW, SMALLER ROW
Some players prefer greater bite in the ice because they feel it allows for:
DEEPER HOLLOW, SMALLER ROW
Other players prefer less bite in the ice because they feel that it allows for:
Less fatigue because there is less friction to overcome
There are two main types of hollow options in skate sharpening - the traditional hollow and the flat bottom hollow. Sparx Hockey provides 16 different options made up of these two hollow choices. The choice of hollow is a personal preference on whether you want more grip or glide in the ice. The chart on the next page shows how each hollow option falls on what we call the Grip-Glide chart.
TRADITIONAL HOLLOWS
The original skate sharpening hollow. The tried-and-true classic that is still used today by the majority of professional and amateur hockey players around the world.
FLAT BOTTOM HOLLOWS
A flat bottom hollow allows for a best-of-both worlds approach. Instead of the normal concave hollow shape, the flat bottom hollow allows for improved glide while maintaining a similar grip to its traditional hollow counterpart.
There are many factors to consider when choosing which Radius of Hollow is right for you and your game. As a starting point, we’ve found that the typical youth hockey players (less body weight) are most comfortable with a 1/2” Radius of Hollow and older players (high school and up, generally heavier) are more comfortable with a 5/8” Radius of Hollow. Players should start with these recommended hollows first and then, based on their desire for more grip or more glide, experiment with other hollow sizes. SPARX offers a traditional hollow with its Radius Grinding Ring and a flat bottom hollow option with its FIRE Grinding Ring.
]]>The elements of a good sharpening can be summarized with the abbreviation ESS. ESS stands for Even, Sharp and Smooth. A properly sharpened skate should have Even Edges, Sharp Edges and a Smooth Surface Finish. It is important to check these three elements any time your skates are sharpened. Even if only one of these elements is off, your performance could be impacted.
After having your skates sharpened, test for even edges using an edge checker. Any visible unevenness should be fixed. See Page 23 for more information on measuring even edge height, including the importance of using an edge checker.
The key to confidently turning and stopping is knowing that your edge will be there when you need it. A quick test for a sharp edge is to hold the skate upside down, place one thumbnail on the edge of the blade and gently pull down and away from the blade. A good sharp blade will easily scrape a layer of your thumbnail with very little pressure.
The final item you want to check is the finish on the skating surface. The skating surface should be shiny and smooth. Any visible lines should run parallel to the skating direction and should be very faint and barely noticeable. If you do see other lines – especially lines in a “snake skin” pattern or lines that run perpendicular to the skating surface, your performance will be impacted. The symptom of a non-smooth finish will be a “dragging” sensation when you are gliding which is caused by the increased friction due to the pattern on the skating surface.
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Skate Sharpening can easily be defined as the process of shaping the blade of an ice skate with a grinding machine to create two edges that are sharp, smooth and level. When an ice skate is used on the ice, the blade can become dull or lose its edge, which can negatively affect the skater’s performance and increase the risk of injury.
In the past, skate sharpening was typically performed by professionals who had the necessary equipment and expertise to ensure that the blade was sharpened correctly and evenly. But today, with the automated skate sharpening, more and more people are now able to get pro-level skate sharpening with the push of a button.
Hockey players – and figure skaters - should sharpen their skates for a variety of reasons, including:
Improved performance: Properly sharpened skates provide better grip and control on the ice, allowing skaters to make quick cuts and turns, and move faster with more agility.
Better balance: Properly sharpened skates help skaters maintain their balance on the ice, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
More effective stops: Skates with properly sharpened edges allow skaters to stop more effectively, which is important for changing direction, avoiding opponents, and making plays.
Better energy efficiency: Skates that are properly sharpened require less effort to move across the ice, which helps skaters conserve energy and stay on the ice longer.
As a general guideline, hockey players and figure skaters should sharpen their skates approximately every 3-4 hours of ice time. For an average player during the season, that means you should be sharpening your skates at least once a week for optimal performance.
However, the frequency of sharpening depends on many factors such as the skater’s weight, skating style and the condition of the ice. If the skater is having difficulty maintaining control or balance on the ice, it may be time to get their skates sharpened, regardless of how many hours the skater has been on ice.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individual skater to determine how often to sharpen their skates based on individual needs and preferences. Our in-depth research has proven that a skater with consistently sharp skates out-performs the player who infrequently sharpens their skates.
It is important to understand that these recommendations are guidelines. In order to play at your best, you should not wait to sharpen your skates. Proper maintenance of your skate blades is key to on-ice performance. Before every skate, you should check your edges for any damage or dullness. You can damage steel simply by stepping on something in the locker room or hitting your blades against the boards or goal posts – any blemish in the blade can cause a decrease in performance when skating.
]]>Hundreds of NHL players, both active and retired, trust their edges and their families edges with the Sparx Sharpener. Hear from Mike Modano and Brent Burns on the importance of having perfect edges and the conveinence of having the Sparx Sharpener for their hockey family.
Watch the videos below to hear their full thoughts on the Sparx Sharpener.
Lettermen Sports
New England Sports Center
To find a retailer sharpening with Sparx near you, visit: http://sparxhockey.com/map
]]>We are proud to welcome NHL Legend and Hall of Famer Mike Modano to #TeamSparx!
The convenience and ease of use of the Sparx Sharpener allows Modano and his family to always hit the ice with an edge. Watch the video below to hear from Mike Modano on how the Sparx Sharpener is a must-have for any hockey family.
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Sparx Hockey Founder/CEO Russ Layton shares how he sharpens his skates with Sparx in this installment of "The Edge". Expect a new episode every week, answering all your questions and giving you pro tips on owning your edge with the Sparx Sharpener. If you have any questions about the Sparx Sharpener, let us know and we'll answer them in a future episode!
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Stop wasting valuable time! With the Sparx Sharpener, you get an accurate and consistent skate sharpening with the push of a button. Take the hassle and stress out of your current skate sharpening routine – and get back YOUR time.
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Save yourself time and money by adding the Sparx Sharpener to your morning hockey routine. In just minutes, anyone in the family can get professional-quality skate sharpening with the push of a button. Never leave home again without perfect edges – get the Sparx Sharpener today and make your morning routine a whole lot easier.
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We were fortunate enough to sit down with former NHL defenseman Hal Gill and talked all things hockey and skate sharpening. Hear Hal discuss the importance of edges and being in control of your skates, and how the Sparx Sharpener solves any problems you may have skate sharpening.
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No prior sharpening experience needed and several safety features allows you to sharpen with confidence and no mess. Players at all levels can now receive pro-level edges with ease.
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The NHL season is right around the corner! Before the puck drops, check out how Brent Burns recharges during the offseason at his ranch in Texas.
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In the video below, you can learn more about the history of the Sparx FIRE ring with Sparx Founder/CEO Russ Layton.
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"Consistency is a huge thing for someone who relies on so heavily on their skates."
"I was skeptical at first but it was just a seamless transition from past sharpenings."
"It's an unbelievable product, something everybody should have at their house if you're serious about hockey."
"You don't have to wait in lines anymore, you're back on the ice in five minutes."
"The Sparx machine is amazing. Anytime I feel like I need to do my skates, I have a world class skate sharpener in my garage."
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We were also fortunate enough to take a look at some memorabilia from Giguere's 16-year NHL career including his masks he's worn as well as some hardware, including a Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe trophy and an ESPY. Take a look below:
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Click to buy the Sparx Hockey Coated Steel Kit now.
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The Sparx Hockey Deburring Block Set:
https://www.sparxhockey.com/collections/accessories/products/deburring-block-set
Replacement Packs of Abrasive:
https://www.sparxhockey.com/collections/accessories/products/deburring-kit-refills-abrasive
Replacement Packs of Leather:
https://www.sparxhockey.com/collections/accessories/products/deburring-kit-refills-leather
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