FAQs
*These are the most common questions we hear. If you don't find your question answered here, please CONTACT US and we'll be sure to add it!
- What makes Bladestech blades different?
- How do I find my holder style and size?
- What skates do you make blades for?
- What are the differences between the blade finishes?
- What is the radius/profile/height of your blades?
- Learn about Profiles
- Find out what Profile is best for you in under a minute!
- Learn about Sharpening
- Will sharpening ruin my profile?
- Shipping Information
- What is the warranty on Blackout Sticks?
1. What makes Bladetech blades different?
Flex Force blades are scientifically proven to provide skaters with a speed boost.
Learn more about Flex Force Advantage here.
2. How do I find my holder style and size?
Blade holder style and size can be found on the white, plastic holder attached beneath the boot of your skate.
For the "Holder Name" you will see it written on the holder in large writing. The example shown here is "Quikblade".
For the "Holder Size", you have to look for a very small 3-digit number, engraved in the holder, usually beneath the heel of the boot. The picture above displays where you can find this number. In this example, the correct size is "280". (R or L just means Right or Left holder and isn't required).
3. What skates do you make blades for?
- Player Quick Release Holders
- Player Non-Quick Release Holders (Bolted Attachments)
- Goalie Skates Quick Release Holders
- Sled/Sledge/Para Hockey Skates
4. What are the differences between the blade finishes?
Bladetech blades are offered in 4 distinct steel finishes, which will be outlined below. All blades have a base of Mirror Stainless Steel.
- Mirror Stainless Steel - high quality steel polished to a shiny mirror finish. Extra polishing helps with blade glide for increased speed, and looks incredible
- Black Armour - a black ceramic style coating helps protect the blades and edges, allowing you to go longer between sharpens.
- Black Diamond DLC - Diamond Like Carbon coating which makes a blade virtually indestructible. Extra hard, like a diamond, this coating is the same material the military uses to protect armoured cars.
- 24K GOLD - same properties as the Black Diamond DLC but with a gold finish - very flashy!
- Custom Color - fully customizable ceramic style coating helps protect the blades and edges, allowing you to go longer between sharpens.
5. What is the radius/profile/height of your blades?
*If you're interested in learning more about this, see our Bladetech Hockey Sharpening Series blog.
Radius/profile of blades depends on the Holder Style you are purchasing blades for. Here is the complete list of radius measurements per style:
- 9'-10'-11' Triple Blend (Player Quick Release Blades)
- 10' (Player Non Quick Release/Bolted Blades)
- 24' (Goalie Quick Release)
- 10' (Sled/Sledge/Para Hockey)
Height: Player blades = 23mm; Goalie blades = 25mm
6. Learn about profiling blades - see blog
>See the full blog here.
7. Complete your Profiling Assessment in under 1 minute here!
See the full blog here.
Use this chart when comparing your sharpening from traditional sharpening and FBV sharpening:
9. Will sharpening ruin my profile?
As long as the blade moves from left-to-right on the sharpening wheel at the same speed, and with the same pressure, the profile will be kept forever. Good people who sharpen by hand are usually very consistent and can achieve this. Good machines that are in tune, cleaned, and calibrated can achieve this. However, if the person or the machine is inconsistent with speeds or pressures, the profile can “morph” over time. The profile will not be “ruined” per say, but rather, after say 20 sharpening’s, the profile can change and morph.Example 1: The blade moves either slower across the grinding wheel in the mid-section, or with more pressure in the mid section.
Result = the profile will morph from a 9 foot profile, to a 10 foot profile, and will be flattened a bit in the middle.
Example 2: The blade moves either slower across the grinding wheel at the end points, or with more pressure at the end points.
Result = the profile will morph from a 10 foot profile, to a 9 foot profile, and will be curved a bit at the end points.
You can always mail us back your steel mid-season, or end of season, and we can re-tweak your profile back to perfect.
10. Shipping Information
Most orders ship within a couple of business days. However, Custom Colored blades take 2-3 weeks to produce and ship. All orders ship out of Toronto, Ontario and are sent via the major logistics companies.
11. Warranty on Blackout Sticks
There is no warranty on Blackout Sticks. 30-day stick warranties offer little value. What offers more value is providing sticks at a great rate so you can buy multiple for the price you'd spend on one.
