More Glide with Conicity EdgeHone
Conicity EdgeHone is an innovative new machine that helps produce a consistently smooth, SHARP edge without burrs, rounding or damage to the edge. The process increases glide and speed. Combine EdgeHone with any sharpening offered by K & K Skate. Simply select the EdgeHone option when choosing your sharpening configuration.
Skate Sharpening Leaves Burrs
The skate sharpening process leaves burrs and oxidation behind on the blade. Even the best skate grind produces an edge burr leading to reduced glide, prematurely dull edges and dangerous lacerations for staff trying to remove them. Automated sharpeners often leave larger burrs behind that need to be removed. To the left is an example of the burrs left behind under a microscope.
Skate Sharpening Leaves Burrs Behind
The skate sharpening process leaves burrs and oxidation behind on the blade. Even the best skate grind produces an edge burr leading to reduced glide, prematurely dull edges and dangerous lacerations for staff trying to remove them. Automated sharpeners often leave larger burrs behind that need to be removed. To the left is an example of the burrs left behind under a microscope.
EdgeHone Creates the Perfect Edge
The EdgeHone process successfully removes the grinding burrs and hones the edges leaving the blade edges square and the hollow surface smooth.
The EdgeHone does not alter the shape or size of the hollow grind or the blade edges and is compatible with coated blades.
EdgeHone was designed by engineers with a combined 60 years experience in cutting tool edge preparation. EdgeHone, a safe and consistent method for removing grinding burrs from skate blades.
The Results
Traditional Blade Honing
The images below depict the grinding process during sharpening and the burrs it leaves behind. Blades are typically honed using stones flat on the side of the blade. Side stoning bends the burr vertically under the blade corner and does not address remove the oxidized layer. This led to Conicity Technologies to develop EdgeHone. Review Conicity’s detailed write up on grinding and edge conditioning. Also, view their Facebook page to follow them.
Reduced Friction on the Ice
Static friction is reduced by over 30% when comparing edge prepped blades and conventional ground/stoned blades.
The reduction in friction allows the skater to start, stop, turn faster, and skate faster/further using less effort.
History
In 2016, the prototype machine was built in a stainless steel box and was used for testing to help assemble the patent disclosures.
In 2018 the design was changed making the process automatic and built as an integral part of the shipping/carrying case, processing one skate at a time, with the blade in the boot only.
The 2022 version is a table top unit that drops into an optional carrying case, automatically processes two skate blades at-one-time while the blades are on the boot or held in a clamp device.
The machine has morphed from that 2016 prototype manual single skate unit to a two skate machine that lives in the Maple Leaf's facility and several NCAA schools.
EdgeHone was recently discussed in an article on WTAE news and in the associated press.
Below are some photos of machines used by professional and college teams. Also included is a photo of the original prototype machine developed back in 2016.
