Why Players Lose Edges in Games
This is a rare post that offers some suggestions to our friends who work in a skate sharpening capacity. With that…
When you work inside a hockey pro shop, you’re in a rare position where equipment knowledge meets real on-ice performance. Players at every level walk through the door wondering why they keep “losing their edges,” and while it sounds like a simple issue, it’s actually one of the most misunderstood parts of skating. The truth is that losing an edge almost never comes from just one cause. Instead, it’s nearly always a combination of how the skates were sharpened, the player’s own technique, and the ice conditions they’re skating on. Understanding how all of these factors work together helps you guide players toward real solutions while also building trust and credibility in your shop.
Most edge-related problems start with skate sharpening, because the blade-to-ice connection is the foundation of every stride, stop, and turn. When the hollow is too deep, the blade bites into the ice aggressively. This can make a player feel like their skates are grabbing or catching unexpectedly, especially if they’re not very strong on their edges or if their stance is too upright. On the other hand, when the hollow is too shallow, the blade has less bite, and players often complain that they feel like they’re sliding out in turns or losing control when they stop. A big part of helping a customer is learning to ask the right questions. A heavier or more powerful skater may actually skate better with a shallower hollow because their weight naturally pushes the blade deeper into the ice. A lighter or more agile skater may want the extra bite from a deeper hollow to help them cut quickly. For most average players, a 5/8″ hollow is a great starting point, but encouraging them to experiment can lead to major improvements.
Poor or inconsistent sharpening is another one of the main causes of lost edges. Even if the hollow is right, an uneven sharpening can ruin the feel of the skate. If one side of the blade is slightly higher or if the sharpener didn’t deburr the edges correctly, players may suddenly slip during a turn because they hit a weak spot on the blade. This is why quality control matters so much. A sharpener who keeps their equipment tuned, checks their wheels regularly, and inspects every blade can prevent most of these problems before they ever reach the ice. Customers also appreciate when you take the time to explain how many hours a sharpening should last, what signs of wear they should look for, and how often they should bring their skates in.
The blade itself also plays a big role in whether players keep their edges throughout a game. Lower-quality steel wears down faster, and blades with rust, nicks, or flat spots simply won’t hold an edge no matter how well they’re sharpened. Players who skate hard or often will eventually benefit from upgraded steel that stays sharper longer and resists damage.
Even when the equipment is perfect, the player’s physical habits can still cause edge-related problems. Fatigue is one of the biggest hidden reasons players think their edges are going. By the third period, tired legs lead to less knee bend, less force into the ice, and more weight shifting to the middle of the blade instead of over the edges. This makes the edges feel weak even though nothing is wrong with the skates. Beginners often struggle with ankle strength, which causes their ankles to collapse inward and puts the skate on the wrong edge entirely. While a pro shop employee can’t coach a player from behind the counter, asking simple diagnostic questions — like whether the problem happens more later in the game or more on one specific edge — can reveal clues that help players understand what’s really going on.
The ice conditions are the final piece of the puzzle. Soft ice, common in warmer climates or during late periods, can make edges feel unstable because the skate sinks deeper into the surface. Hard ice, on the other hand, provides less bite, so players who are used to softer ice may slide more during stops and tight turns. This is why asking whether the issue happens at one rink or everywhere is important. If it’s just one rink, the problem likely isn’t the skates at all — it’s the ice.
When you combine all of these factors — skate sharpening, steel quality, player technique, and rink conditions — you start to see why helping a customer with edge problems is really about being a knowledgeable advisor. Instead of guessing, you can walk them through a simple checklist: ask when the issue happens, what it feels like, and what their current hollow is, then inspect the blade and offer a solution that fits their situation. This approach not only solves problems but builds lasting trust.
If you ever want help analyzing a tricky skating issue or choosing the right advice for a customer, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance from someone who has spent a lifetime in player development. Sometimes a quick conversation with Coach Chic or Professor B can make all the difference.
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PS: Several decades ago, my top scorer stepped on some exposed concrete in our lockerroom just before the start of a tournament’s final game. As luck would have it, the arena pro shop was closed, and the player’s stripped edge was too far gone to be fixed by a skate-stone. One never knows if that was the only reason for our tournament loss, but I’ve always felt it was.
