[previously cross-posted to Yahoo competitive and ice dance groups]
Consider these blade features:
1. rocker radius
2. hollow radius (effects other than skid control and speed?)
3. blade width
4. vertical side honing (blade wider at bottom) (effects other than skid control?)
5. tapered width (blade wider in front)
6. parabolic width (thinner in the middle)
7. Spin rockers - e.g., 1 vs 2 - and other forms of sweet spot
8. K-picks (beyond what MK says)
9. Blade weight (can anyone actually tell the difference?)
10. Anything else.
How do these features affect skating, e.g., how you
(A) balance,
(B) glide,
(C) turn,
(D) spin [e.g., speed and centering],
(E) twizzle [e.g., travel speed, balance],
(F) jump,
(G) etc.
?
I have my own opinions, based on intuitive physics and my own very limited
experience, but would appreciate anything anyone has to say, especially if it is
based on actual experience or authoritative sources. (I have already looked at
the recreational figure skating FAQ, and MK, Wilson, Ultima, and Paramount sales brochures.)
PS, does anyone have current manufacturer contact info for the following skate
blade manufacturers:
ISE
ICE
John Watts
Yes, this is to prepare for my class.