Based on the NHL’s review of such product, the Flare Skate Blade is not only cleared for use by NHL players, but currently used by an increasing number of the leagues' athletes. The IIHF confirms that "there are at the moment no rules in place that would prevent players to use such blades".
Our patented technology works just as well on a goalie blades, and has been tested at the professional level. Flare Skate Blades for goalie application are currently in development and we will offer them on our website as well as in our retail locations as soon as they are available.
For best results, we suggest giving yourself 3 hard skates, or the equivalent of 3 game-play ice times. Have a look at our Hollow Conversion Chart to determine the angle appropriate for you and the way you skate to ensure a smooth transition and you'll be well on your way to improved performance.
We use only the best steel, Sandvik™, imported from Sweden, and hardness-test each and every one of our blades before they are packaged. Though wear will vary from player to player, the general consensus is that Flare Blades wear extraordinarily well.
Flare Skate Blades can be sharpened using the same machine, equipment, and stone as with traditional runners; no special equipment is required. However, athletes are required to adjust their hollow, to adjust for the flare.
Click here to view our Hollow Conversion Chart.
As with traditional blades, we recommend your Flare Blades be sharpened by an experienced skate sharpening technician in order to maintain optimal performance.
Click here for more detailed info on sharpening your Flare Skate Blades.
Just as our skaters say their Flares wear better than traditional steel runners, players who have switched over to Flare Skate Blades have reported their blades actually require less sharpening than their previous, traditional blades. As with traditional blades, the amount of sharpening will depend on the intensity and frequency of use, and will ultimately be a matter of personal preference.
We recommend checking your Flare Skate Blades for any nicks or stripped / rolled edges after each use to determine if sharpening is required.
Be sure to hold the honing stone parallel (flat) to the flared (angled) part of the blade only. Running it flush across the whole blade will dull your edges.
Flare Blades can be sharpened on the Sparx® machine. To order your Sparx® grinding ring for Flare Blades, please visit their website. Click the "Select Your Grinding Ring" drop-down menu and select the appropriate hollow.
If you use a 5/8" hollow on standard skate blades, that is a 1 1/8" hollow on Flare Blades, so you would order the 1 1/8" grinding ring.
Flare Skate Blades fit a number of skate blade holders from the most popular hockey skates on the market:
Flare Skate Blades are made from high-quality, precisely engineered Sandvik® stainless steel, and crafted in Canada. We hardness-test each and every blade before it is packaged.
As Flare Skate Blades are designed to fit in hockey's most popular holders, the profile is the same as a traditional CCM®, Bauer®, or Graf® set of steel.
Because the Flare Blades already offer significant more glide and turning capabilities, we always recommend to try our stock profile for a few skates first. After a couple ice times if you still wish to profile, feel free, but we highly recommend that you do not pick too aggressive of a profile (i.e. keep the middle of the blade between 8.5 & 11 feet).
Many of our users find that they don't need to profile their Flare Blades nearly as much as they would a traditional blade because of the incredible engineering principles built right into the Flare Blade.
Flare Skate Blades are the same width as traditional skate blades where the steel inserts into the holder, down to the starting point of the flare. From the flare down, the blades are up to 50% wider than traditional blades. That sounds like a lot, but we’re talking about millimeters here. A traditional steel runner has a 3 mm base; Flare steel has a 4.5 mm base, giving you the power to perform exceptionally.
We have measured our steel against our competitors, including Step® and Bauer®, to discover that there is no difference in weight. If you're worried that the extra width of our uniquely engineered design will weigh you down, don't be. Stay light on your feet while skating faster, turning tighter and deeper, and maintaining more stability and control.
As with traditional blades, we recommend wiping your Flare Skate Blades clean after each use and checking them for nicks or stripped / rolled edges to determine if sharpening is required.
Ideally, they should be taken out of your bag to air dry with the skate covers removed.
Because the angle of the Flare Skate Blade increases the width of the blades where the steel meets the ice, a hollow adjustment is required.
We suggest the hollow be adjusted to the following Hollow Conversion Chart.
For more information on Sharpening, click here.
