Whether you play ice hockey, figure skate or skate recreationally, correctly sharpened blades give you the grip, glide and control you need on the ice.
Our experienced technicians sharpen your skates to your preferred hollow and check your blades before every sharpen.
Not sure which hollow is right for you? We'll help you choose based on your skating style, experience and preference.
£9 PER PAIR. Bought your skates from Willies in store? Your first sharpen is FREE.
Suitable for:
Includes:
3/8"
A deeper hollow gives your skate blades more bite into the ice, providing increased grip when turning, stopping and accelerating. This can suit skaters who prefer a stronger feeling of edge control, although it may create more resistance when gliding.
7/16"
A 7/16" hollow offers a little less bite than a 3/8", while still providing strong grip and edge control. It can be a good option for skaters who want plenty of grip but prefer a slightly smoother glide.
1/2"
A popular all-round choice for many hockey players, a 1/2" hollow offers a good balance between grip and glide. It provides reliable edge control for turning and stopping, while allowing smooth, comfortable movement across the ice.
Recommended Starting Point
9/16"
A slightly shallower hollow provides less bite into the ice and can help reduce resistance when gliding. It may suit skaters who prefer a smoother feel while retaining the edge control they need.
5/8" - 1"
These shallower hollows generally offer less bite and less resistance against the ice. They can suit skaters who prioritise glide, although your skating style and preferred level of grip should guide your choice.
Not sure which hollow to choose? Our team can help you find the right balance of grip and glide for your skating style. If you're unsure, 1/2" is a great starting point for many skaters.
We don't just sharpen skates. We live and breathe hockey and figure skating equipment.
Our team follows professional sharpening procedures to deliver reliable, repeatable results every time.
Need more grip? Looking for better glide? We'll recommend a hollow to suit your skating style and preferences.
Visit us in Coventry, Nottingham or Sheffield for expert skate servicing and advice.
Every sharpen starts with a visual blade check to help identify anything that could affect the quality or consistency of your edges.
Edge Condition
We check for uneven or inconsistent edges before sharpening.
Blade Wear
We look for excessive or uneven wear across the blade.
Nicks & Damage
Visible damage, imperfections and problem areas are identified.
Previous Sharpening
We check for inconsistencies left by previous sharpens and flag anything that needs your attention.
Sharp, well-maintained blades give you the grip, control and confidence you need every time you step onto the ice.
Better Edge Control
More dependable grip through turns, crossovers and stops.
Consistent Performance
Reduce unwanted slipping and keep your blades performing as they should.
More Confidence
Trust your edges when accelerating, turning and stopping.
Look After Your Blades
Regular sharpening helps maintain consistent performance and keeps your runners in good condition.
Standard ice skate sharpening at Willies costs £9 per pair.
If you purchase a pair of ice skates from Willies, your first sharpen is free.
No. There’s no appointment required for standard skate sharpening. Simply bring your skates into one of our Coventry, Nottingham or Sheffield stores and our team will take care of them.
As a general guide, most skaters should consider having their skates sharpened after around 10–20 hours on the ice.
The right frequency varies depending on your skating style, body weight, how often you skate, ice conditions and how you like your edges to feel. Competitive or aggressive skaters may prefer to sharpen more frequently.
Common signs include reduced grip when turning or stopping, slipping when pushing off, inconsistent edges or simply feeling less confident on your blades.
Visible nicks or damage to the steel can also indicate that your blades need attention. If you’re unsure, bring them in and our team can take a look.
The hollow is the curved groove created along the bottom of your skate blade during sharpening. This creates the inside and outside edges that grip the ice.
A deeper hollow generally provides more bite and grip, while a shallower hollow generally provides more glide with less resistance.
There isn’t one hollow that’s perfect for every skater. Your ideal choice depends on factors including your weight, skating style, experience and preference for grip versus glide.
Our most popular all-round sharpen is 1/2", offering a good balance between grip and glide. We can sharpen from 3/8" through to 1", and our team can help you choose if you’re unsure.
3/8" – More Grip
A deeper hollow with increased bite into the ice.
1/2" – Balanced
A popular all-round option offering a balance between edge grip and glide.
5/8" – More Glide
A shallower hollow with less resistance and a smoother glide.
The best option ultimately comes down to the individual skater and how they want their skates to feel.
Absolutely. You don’t need to know your preferred hollow before visiting us.
Tell our technicians about your skating experience, style and whether you prefer more grip or more glide, and we can help you choose a suitable option.
Generally, yes. Most new ice skates will need a proper sharpen before being used on the ice.
If you purchase your new ice skates from Willies, your first sharpen is free, so we can get your blades ready for the ice before you skate.
Yes. We provide professional sharpening for ice hockey skates, with a range of hollows available to suit different players and preferences.
Yes. We sharpen figure skates as well as hockey and recreational ice skates.
Because figure skate blades differ from hockey blades, they should always be sharpened by someone familiar with the blade design and its requirements.
Yes. Our sharpening service is suitable for hockey, figure and recreational ice skates.
You don’t need to be a competitive skater to benefit from properly maintained edges.
Professional skate sharpening is available at all three Willies stores:
No appointment is required for standard sharpening.
Yes. Standard skate sharpening is available as a while-you-wait service, although turnaround can depend on how busy the store is when you visit.
You can use our mail-in skate sharpening service.
Send your skates to us and our technicians will sharpen them before securely returning them to you, so you can use our sharpening service even if you can’t visit Coventry, Nottingham or Sheffield.
Complete the mail-in service form, securely package your skates and send them to our Coventry workshop.
Once received, our team will carry out the requested work and return your skates to you when complete.
Most mail-in services are completed within approximately 48 hours of being received, although some services can take longer.
Yes. The mail-in service has an additional return shipping charge on top of the cost of the sharpening itself.
Please check our Mail-In Skate Sharpening page for current postage charges and full instructions before sending your skates.
Every sharpen starts with a visual blade assessment. Our technicians look for uneven or inconsistent edges, excessive blade wear, nicks or visible damage and issues from previous sharpening.
If we spot something unusual that needs your attention, we’ll let you know before carrying out the sharpen.
Dry your blades thoroughly after every skate and avoid leaving them wet inside hard blade guards.
Use absorbent skate soakers when storing your skates, keep the steel clean and dry, and avoid walking on hard surfaces without suitable blade protection.
Good blade care helps preserve your edges and prevents unnecessary rust and damage.
Sharpening creates and restores the hollow and edges of your blade, directly affecting grip and glide.
Profiling changes the shape and contact characteristics of the blade itself, which can influence factors such as stability, manoeuvrability and how the skate feels through your stride.
They are two different services and one does not replace the other.
It depends on the type and extent of the damage.
Minor imperfections may be addressed during sharpening, but heavily worn, damaged or compromised steel may require additional work or replacement.
Bring your skates into one of our stores and our team can inspect the blades before carrying out any work.
Not sure which hollow you need or have a question about your blades? Send our team a message and we'll be happy to help.
Perfect-Fit Guarantee
Trusted by Rinks, Clubs & Coaches across the UK
Ice Skate Sharpening & Repair Services Available
Worldwide Shipping
Price Matching
Buy Now, Pay Later
Expert Advice
Fast Delivery, Easy Returns