PREPARATION OF SKATES
Prior to the first skating and thermal adjustment!
Spread the upper quarters of the skate apart.
Apply a vigorous fist and hand massage to the quarter padding and the counter areas.
In more structured models, additional efforts may have to be applied.
BLADE POSITION
Pinching of skates while skating can also have the following cause:
Blades in wrong positions cause wrong positions of the feet!
Therefore the skate pinchs constantly on the same spot, especially on the ankles.
A qualified third person can find out easily possible wrong positions during skating.
If necessary displace the blades in a new and better position!
Happy skating!
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Hint to Sports Injury
Lasting pains in ankle can also be the consequence of an inflammation of the bursa there!
Inflammation of such type is a typical consequence of the continuous stress of the feet as a result of intense practicing of sport.
Performance orientated sportsmen/women are therefore especially affected by it.
The cure can be lengthy, particularly if the stress cannot be reduced due to the preparation for contests.
A (sport) physician must be consulted by all means who can do the treatments!
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THERMAL ADJUSTMENT OF SKATES
Preheat warming oven up to 200°F, i.e 110°C.
Place the open skates in the oven for 5 MINUTES.
Then remove skates from oven and flex back the counters as described and illustrated above.
Put the skates on skater's feet and lace the skates extra snug.
Let the skates on skater's feet for 5 MINUTES.
Allow skater to relax feet, then put skates on feet again using normal lacing pressure.
If still a problem spot exists, take off the skates. Warm up then this spot with a heat gun.
Don't overheat the skate!
Now form the corresponding spot by pressure as needed.
Happy skating!
Important Hint to PIC Skates!
REMOVE all wheels and the stoppers PRIOR to thermal adjustment in oven or with a heat gun!
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BLADE SHARPENING
Inspect blades for edge damage, straightness and breakage. - Do not sharpen broken blades.
Radius of hollow:
Determine the ACCURATE RADIUS OF HOLLOW of MK and WILSON BLADES:
click here!
Adjust this radius of hollow on the diamond tool to dress the grindstone.
Prior to sharpening:
Mark the bottom of the hollow - in longitudinal direction - with a line of approximately 1 to 2 inches
i.e. 3 to 5 cm, in length with a black magic marker.
Doing so allows a better visual control for centric adjustment of the blade regarding to the grindstone:
Lead the marked area shortly and with almost no pressure to the grindstone.
Check now the marked area. From the drawn line nothing more should be seen.
If still something of the line can be seen, adjust thereafter the blade holder in accordance with the longitudinal axis of the blade.
Sharpen WITH the rotation of the grindstone, NOT against!
Use very light pressure.
If set correctly ONLY 3 TO 4 PASSES ARE NEEDED!
Prior to the final pass, apply wax paste to the bottom of the blade.
This allows a non-rippled finish. (Avoids drag during skating.)
After sharpening:
A light pass along the edges with a wooden block will remove any burrs.
Clean blades with a clean cloth.
Happy skating!
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