Since the Flat Bottom V technique was introduced about a year ago, players on over 20 of the N.H.L.'s 30 teams have switched from the traditional sharpening method to FBV.
The list includes Zach Parise of the Devils, Joe Thornton and Rob Blake of the San Jose Sharks, Jason Arnott of the Nashville Predators, Milan Michalek of the Ottawa Senators and Doug Weight of the Islanders.
Conventional skate sharpening uses a grinding stone that creates a concave arc in the bottom of the blade. The FBV method provides a sharper bite on turns and a freer glide in straight-ahead skating.
The flat-bottom V uses specially made spinners to carve out tiny fangs along the skate blade's ridges that bite into the ice for turns. The flat bottom between the fangs, similar to the flat cut of a speedskater's blade, puts more of the blade's surface in contact with the ice and is supposed to increase speed.
2” Radius
The most common choice of Radius of Hollow (ROH) for hockey players is 1/2". According to a recent study of all NHL players 47% choose to skate on a 1/2" ROH. The next most common ROH in the NHL is 5/8" ROH.
The FBV is quite different from the circular hollow. With the flatness of close to a 2” radius, skaters will notice more speed and less drag and they’ll notice the glide is a lot longer. With the FBV, skaters will see a decrease in the number of strides necessary to get from end to end. The result of this combination is more speed and solid edges to bite during turn.
Blackstone Introduces: The Flat Bottom"V" from Chris Labbate on Vimeo.
Most skate sharpening machines can be retro-fitted to use the FBV spinner attachment. Contact skate sharpening machine manufactures Blackstone Sports for more info.
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