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ASK MR. EDGE
October 2009
Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.
Generally, it's never a good idea and, in some cases, it can be dangerous to skate on worn-out blades. Most skaters never realize their blades are worn out because the change in their skating is gradual. Skating on blades which no longer have a rocker profile or are beginning to become rounded at the heel presents several problems. Here is a quick list of those things to watch for as your blades begin to wear down:
- You start to lose edge hardening and need your blades sharpened more often
- It becomes difficult to enter into and/or center your spins
- Take-offs and landings feel awkward and you fall more
- You tend to trip yourself more often
- Timing on jumps is off
- You feel you should re-mount your blades in order to regain proper balance
- Holding edges becomes more difficult
- Rocking up to the toe pick properly becomes impossible to do correctly.
Q: I love my skates but for some reason I always get a blister on that bump below my ankle. It's painful. Why is this happening and how can I fix it?
- Cassandra
A: That bone below and slightly forward of your ankle is called the navicular bone. In people whose feet pronate, this bone will stick out like a sore thumb and will rub against the side of your boots if nothing is done to place your foot into a neutral position within the boot. After correcting that, then it's time to cushion the area around the bone if necessary.
Placing one's foot into a more neutral position can sometimes be done by placing a heel wedge under the insole in such a way that it will slightly roll your foot to the outside, reducing the pressure. In more severe cases of pronation, it becomes necessary to use an orthotic device of some sort. Once the foot is in a neutral position, it may still become necessary to have an extra cushion placed in that area of the boot. This can be done by using a Bunga pad or by adding in extra cushioning to the boot itself.
Q: I have bumps on the sides of my heels, which I believe are caused by my skates. Can you help me with this problem?
- Cami
A: The bumps are most likely caused from your boots, which apparently are too wide in and around the heel area. Unfortunately once the bumps appear, it's sometimes difficult to get rid of them entirely. The best way to prevent those bumps is by making sure you have a boot in which your heels are secure and not moving around. However, in your case, you may want to place a Bunga pad up around your heels. This will snug up your heels and prevent them from moving around in your boots. Please note that on occasion, these bumps can be caused from one's boots being too small. Forcing your heels into the boots time after time can cause blistering and eventually the bumps will appear.
Mr. Edge
Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.
The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.
