What is a radius of hollow and which is right for me?

 

A radius of hollow is the depth of channel that is cut into the length of the blade by a sharpening machine, which determines the amount of grip or glide you experience.

​

While there are a number of varied schools of thought, it is my opinion that personal preference dictates majority of the decision making when determining the depth of hollow. First and foremost you as a skater must feel comfortable and confident with what you are skating on, if a certain depth of hollow is what you have been skating on for a prolonged period of time, any significant change may effect your level of confidence, thus putting you at an increased level of risk while you are on the ice.

​

A lot of factors determine what depth of hollow you should be skating on. Let's break those down, as well as some basic physics that govern the science that is skating.

​

Deeper hollows offer greater bite and edge control, making them ideal for beginners, smaller or lighter skaters who lack the physical size to press their edges firmly into the ice, or those who have a more upright stance. These hollows provide the benefit of quick acceleration, tighter turns, and greater traction when battling in front of the net or in the corners. For beginners and upright skaters, a deeper hollow offers greater stability and control. However, the downside of a deeper hollow is that it creates more friction and resistance, reducing glide, potentially leading to quicker fatigue.

On the other side of the radius spectrum, a shallower hollow is preferred by skaters who generate more downward power in each stride through greater bend of the knees and lean more drastically into turns, namely most professional skaters, who happen to be larger athletes and poses excellent edge control. Reduced hollow demands greater knee flexion and lateral angle of attack to dig the edges into the ice, which allows for longer strides and enhanced speed while gliding. Additionally, it can minimize fatigue due to reduced glide resistance.

The most commonly requested hollow cuts here at Precision Edge, as is in most Pro Shop are ½” and 5/8”, as they strike the optimal balance between edge depth and glide efficiency.

 

• Smaller hollow- More Bite (e.g. 3/8)

• Deeper cut into the ice, edges feel “really sharp”

• Better for lighter players who dig in less to start with

• Ideal for beginners or those skaters who have an upright stance

• Feels like extra effort is required to skate as your skate edges dig into the ice more

• Stability and control

• More responsive turns

Larger hollow- More glide (e.g. 7/8”)

• Shallower cut into the ice, edges feel “not that sharp”

• Better suited for stronger skaters that have deeper knee bend and with greater lean

• Feels like skating is more efficient or “easier” since less of the edge is sinking into ice

• Faster top speed

• Less resistant glide

• Easier on the joints