Cross-grinding is a method of sharpening skates using a grinding wheel that runs perpendicular to the blade. It's a standard step in the sharpening process, and is often used to prepare new skates or remove imperfections
How it works
- The cross-grinding wheel removes rust, nicks, and other imperfections
- It levels out the blade so it's ready for the finishing wheel
- The cross-grinding wheel is coarser than the finishing wheel, so it removes more steel
Why it's important
- Cross-grinding provides a clean, even surface for the finishing wheel to work on
- It's especially important for goalie skates, which are constantly being pushed off and banged into posts
How it affects blade life
- Cross-grinding removes more steel from the blade than the finishing wheel, which can shorten the blade's lifespan
- Sometimes we perform a light cross-grind to remove just the edges, instead of the entire hollow
*skate blades must be brought to the shop, we do not mail blades