Coach's Corner
EDGES 101
//BLADE GEOMETRY
Skate blade geometry is logical, and taking a moment to understand what it all means is empowering.
The Science of Sharpening
RADIUS (OF) HOLLOW
A skate sharpening is defined by its "hollow" — the concave groove ground between your blade's two edges. That depth of that hollow varies and has a huge impact on the way you skate.
More Glide
A shallower hollow removes less steel, keeping your blades faster and more energy-efficient. Ideal for heavier players and straight-line power skaters who prioritize top-end speed over edge bite.
More Grip
A deeper hollow carves more aggressively into the ice, maximizing lateral edge bite. Best for lighter players, shifty forwards, and players demanding tight cornering control.
The Benchmark
The most common starting point for all-around players. Provides a strong balance of glide and grip — the baseline from which your custom Tough Cut profile is built.
The Science of Profiling
BLADE PROFILING
If you look at a skate blade from the side, it looks flat, but it is actually slightly curved like a rocking chair. Profiling is the process of altering that curve to change how much of the blade touches the ice at any given time.
How has profiling evolved?
Until recently, profiling (or 'contouring') was reserved for professional players and those in devout hockey communities with rare, dedicated craftsman. But the past decade has seen an onslaught of incredible new technologies capable of bringing this type of customization to the common skater. We can now map multiple distinct curves onto a single blade (dual, triple, or 'quad' profiles). This allows players to maximize acceleration on their toes and stability on their heels simultaneously, with only minor concessions.
Stock blades leave the factory with a single, generic rocker. Profiling replaces it with a precise, custom arc matched to your body and skating style.
Is profiling necessary?
Stock blades (w/ mono profiles) are fine, as long as they are properly maintained. One bad sharpening can destroy any profile, so it's possible you're not even skating on so-called 'stock'! Elite profiles are better. They're designed with multi-radii and engineered to position the pivot point exactly where your stride demands it. But at the end of the day, as long as you're properly maintaining the shape of your blade, you're in a good spot...so make sure you're maintaining your blades with proper sharpenings.
An appropriate profile provides better energy transfer, more responsive turning, and a blade that works with your natural stride instead of fighting it.
Center Glide vs. Heel Glide
Every skater's weight distribution falls somewhere on a spectrum. A Center Glide profile keeps the pivot balanced underfoot. A Heel Glide profile shifts the rocker rearward for power skaters who load from behind.
Improper or damaged profiles are inefficient, and they're a common cause of early fatigue. Most players have never been profiled correctly.
Elite Blade Performance Technology
THE PROFILE DIRECTORY.
Every Elite profile available at Tough Cut — how they perform and who they're designed for.
Polaris 1 (Light)
Large, Standard
An offspring of the original Polaris with the same playing attributes but a lighter feel. Trades off a tiny bit of stability for a little more agility.
Polaris 2 (Original)
Large, Standard, Junior
The original Polaris — agility with exceptional power and stability, smooth transition zones and a slight forward pitch feel. Significantly lighter in the heel than traditional Quads. A fast favourite among pro players.
Polaris 3 (Solid)
Large, Standard
Another offspring of the original Polaris, but a little more solid feeling. Trades off some agility for maximum power and stability. Well suited to larger ice surfaces and powerful, wide-arc strides.
EL4.1 Quad
(6′-9′-11′-13′) Large, Standard · (5′-8′-10′-12′) Junior
Fast, powerful, solid with smooth transitions and a slight forward pitch feel. The lightest feel of the quads. (Similar to the Prosharp Quad Zero)
EL4.2 Quad
(7′-10′-13′-16′) Large, Standard
A little less agile feeling than the 4.1, with good balance. A good mix of power and agility — an extremely solid, stable profile. (Similar to the Prosharp Quad 2)
EL3.1 Triple
(6′-12′-16′) Large, Standard · (5′-10′-13′) Junior
Light, agile toe with a very slight forward pitch feel. Flatter heel provides good stability. A good mix of agility, power, and stability. (Similar to the Prosharp Zuperior)
7′-13′ Duo
Standard
Great all-around profile with strong glide and some forward pitch feel. Some find the transition from toe to heel to be a bit abrupt.
8′-12′ Duo
Standard
Similar to the 7-13, with slightly less forward pitch feel.
9.5′-10.5′ Duo
Standard
Close to a stock blade. A decent balance of agility and stability with a light feel.
SCS-1
Large, Standard, Junior
Four radius curves, flattest in the center of the blade. Very powerful and smooth-skating, with high top-end speed and powerful turns while preserving agility and explosiveness. The most agile of the SCS profiles, with the most rockered heel and toe.
SCS-HYBRID
Large, Standard, Junior
The newest member of the SCS family, the Hybrid bridges the stability of the SCS-2 with the agility of the SCS-1. With the same flatter curves in the center, the Hybrid combines the toe of the SCS-2 with the heel of the SCS-1. It's the perfect blend of agility, power and stability.
SCS-2
Large, Standard
Same mid-foot flatter-radius curves as the SCS-1, but with slightly less rockered heel and toe for greater power, stability and glide.
SCS-3
Large, Standard
Slightly flatter mid-foot radius curves than the SCS-1 and 2, with even less rockered heel and toe — making for an extremely stable and powerful profile with slightly less agility.
9′ Mono
Stock — Player
A smaller single radius with a rounder, more curved shape and less steel touching the ice. Prior to advancements in performance profiling, the 9′ mono was a skater's best option for maximum agility — quicker first strides and tighter pivots, at the cost of top-end glide and a rockier, less stable feel underfoot.
10′ Mono
Stock — Player
Stock, out-of-the-box blade. A decent basic blade with some agility and stability, but no performance gains in agility, power, speed, or stability.
26'-30′ Duo
Goalie
Maintains strong stability and control, with agile lateral and up-and-down movement.
30′ Mono
Goalie — Stock
Standard stock goalie blade with a short release zone at each end.
Goalie WIN - Duo
Goalie (24′-28′)
The WIN has short front that allows for quick pivots and toe pushes; the slightly contoured rear of the blade provides modest stability and T-push glide.
Goalie SAM — Triple
Goalie (10′-50mm-27′)
The SAM is a multi-zoned profile with an aggressive toe, flat center, and decently contoured heel. The flat center allows for easy shuffling in the butterfly, while the heel and toe offer intense mobility and agility. Only advised for elite skaters and goaltenders who are in touch with their equipment, as there is a bit more of a learning curve.
NOT SURE WHICH PROFILE FITS YOU?
Start with the Profile Projector and let Coach Bo guide you from there.
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