EdgeLab

Skate hollow simulator

30-second demo

Pick the skater, read the card, adjust after one skate.

Say: “This does not replace a coach or sharpener. It gives a parent a sane first ask and a safe next adjustment.”

1 Weight 2 Confidence 3 Counter card

Inputs

Start with a player

My skaters

Local only: profiles stay in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to a server, and we know nothing about you.

Team context

Level belongs to the team/program. The player still has their own size, strength, confidence, and setup history.

Quick presets
1/2 in
3/8 in bite 1 in glide
65 lb
35 lb 260 lb
Skater confidence
Ice condition

Parent note: this tunes by player size, strength, skill, team level, and feedback, not by sex. If the skater chatters, catches edges, cannot stop, or looks unstable, adjust in small steps.

Output

Balance readout

Grip 72 Aggressive edge hold
Glide 61 Moderate resistance
Edge bite 2.8 mil Predicted penetration
Top stride speed 19.2 mph Relative straight-line speed

Parent result card

Use this at the counter

Good starter
Ask for 1/2 in hollow

Balanced youth starting point with room to adjust.

Player 65 lb · steady
Ice Standard game ice
Next skate Try it for one or two skates.

If the skater is unsure, err slightly more forgiving before chasing more bite.

Stick fit card

Use this at the shop

Balanced stick
Start with 35 flex · Junior

A safe starting point for a youth player who is still building shot mechanics.

Length check Chin on skates
Cut warning Cut slowly
Blade note Start neutral

“Can we start with a junior stick around 35 flex, then check that it reaches near the chin on skates?”

Stick troubleshooter

My kid says…

Likely next move Try a lower flex or shorter stick.

Younger players often cannot load a stiff stick, so the puck leaves without help from the shaft.

Geometry

Blade cross-section

Balanced
Skate blade hollow cross-section Concave hollow and relative bite depth update as inputs change. 1/2 in hollow

Parent guide

What to tell the sharpener

Ask for 1/2 in hollow

Good youth starting point with balanced grip and glide.

“Can we start with 1/2 inch and adjust by 1/16 if needed?”

If they skid

Try 1/16 inch deeper.

If they chatter

Try 1/16 inch shallower.

Troubleshooter

My kid says…

Likely next move Try 1/16 inch deeper.

Sliding out usually means the skater wants more edge bite.

After the next skate
Stay here for now.

If the skater felt stable and could stop, do not change the hollow yet.

Skate log

Track this kid

No saved kids
Active skater Unsaved setup

Save a kid to track changes over time.

Starter chart

Weight-band starting points

Don’t solve only with hollow

Check skate fit, ankle support, loose rivets, damaged edges, and basic technique if the problem appears suddenly or does not improve after one small adjustment.

Trade-off

Grip vs glide curve

Friction melt

Lubrication vs drag

0.42

Model notes

What changes what

  • Smaller radius means a deeper hollow, more bite, and more gliding resistance. Sparx
  • Heavier skaters usually need a larger radius because load increases edge penetration. Wissota
  • Many youth players start around 1/2 inch, while heavier older players often move toward 5/8 inch or larger. Adjust for confidence, stopping, and ice condition. Sparx
  • Ice friction depends on temperature and lubrication, not pressure melting alone. American Journal of Physics