Do New Skates Need to Be Sharpened? What Factory Edges Really Are

New skate blades ship flat across the bottom, with zero hollow and zero radius. That flat strip of steel is the real answer to whether do new skates need to be sharpened. Yes, always, before the first time on ice.

Bauer, CCM, and most other hockey brands ship the blade in that same flat state. Figure skate makers like Riedell are not much different, even when the box says sharpened. Shipping and handling can dull that edge before a skater ever steps on the ice.

This page covers what a factory edge really is. It covers why the first sharpening matters more than the ones after it. It also covers what to ask for when you take new skates in.

Why Do New Skates Need to Be Sharpened at All

A skate blade is ground flat during manufacturing so it seats evenly in the holder. Sparx, which builds home sharpening machines, says new hockey skates simply do not come sharpened. The blade has no edge to grip the ice with.

That flat state is not a defect. It is just an unfinished step. A shop or a home machine cuts the hollow and squares the two edges before the blade can bite.

Hockey Skates and Figure Skates Are Not Identical Cases

Figure skates work a little differently. Most are not sharpened at the factory, though a few models ship already sharpened. Riedell still recommends a sharpening before the first time out, since that edge can dull in shipping.

The practical advice lands in the same place either way. Skip the assumption that a new pair is ready. Ask for a sharpening before the first session, and treat that grind as different from every one after it.

The First Grind Removes More Steel Than Later Touch Ups

Cutting an edge into a blank flat blade takes more passes than touching up an edge that already exists. The first sharpening is the hardest one to get right. It is also the most important, since it sets the baseline for every sharpening after it.

A rushed or inexperienced first grind can go too deep. Owner reports online describe shops cutting an indent so deep on a first pass that stopping became difficult afterward. That is not a factory problem, it is a first sharpening problem, and the shop matters as much as the request.

What to Ask For at Your First Sharpening

The answer to do new skates need to be sharpened is always yes. The real question is what hollow to request. Walk in with more than sharpen these: your weight, your position, and whether you skate hockey, figure, or recreational.

Bauer’s own guide says most shops default to a half or five eighths inch hollow. We have a chart to dial in the right depth for your weight for that decision. Heavier or aggressive skaters often want a shallower hollow, while lighter skaters want a deeper one.

Hockey players should mention it is a hockey blade, since the geometry differs from a figure blade. guidance built around hockey blades specifically goes deeper on the hockey side alone. Figure skaters should say the same in reverse.

Figure blades need a sharpener with real experience on that geometry, not just whoever is closest. our page on figure blade specifics lays out what that looks like.

How the Hollow You Choose Changes the Ride

The hollow is the concave groove ground between a blade’s two edges. A deeper hollow bites harder and feels grippier. A shallower hollow glides faster with less resistance.

our guide to picking a hollow depth covers that tradeoff, including how blade radius factors in separately from hollow.

Mistakes to Skip on a First Sharpening

Do not skate on brand new skates straight out of the box. A flat blade with no edge slides out from under you with no warning.

Do not assume a deeper hollow is always better. New and lighter skaters often want more grip. An overly deep hollow on a heavier or advanced skater can feel grabby and slow instead.

Expect to pay for that first visit like any other. a look at typical shop pricing for that visit covers what most shops charge and how long it takes.

Some skaters skip the shop and cut that first edge themselves. an automated home sharpening machine can handle a first grind on a blank blade. It works the same way for every sharpening after, provided it is set up correctly.

Skates are not the only sport with this same blank steel problem. our guides for other bladed sports cover the same factory edge question for other equipment.

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Do New Skates Need to Be Sharpened Before First Use?

Yes. New blades ship flat with no edge, hockey or figure. Skate on them straight out of the box and there is nothing to bite the ice.

Do Bauer or CCM Skates Come Sharpened From the Factory?

No. Both brands ship the blade blank and flat, like most hockey brands. A shop or home machine has to cut the hollow before the skate is usable.

Do Figure Skates Ever Ship Already Sharpened?

Occasionally, yes. Even then, shipping and handling can dull that edge before a skater steps on the ice. Get it checked either way.

How Deep Should the First Hollow Be?

It depends on weight, position, and skating style, not on the skate being new. Most shops default to a half inch or five eighths inch hollow unless you ask for a specific depth.

Can I Skate on New Skates Without Sharpening Them?

Technically yes, but a flat blade with no edge offers almost no grip or control. Most skaters find it unsafe and frustrating within a few strides.

Does the First Sharpening Cost More Than a Regular Touch Up?

Usually not, most shops charge their standard rate. It does take more steel removal and more care, since there is no existing edge to follow.