Ive just started ice skating and i want to buy my own skates, im looking at Riedell at the moment any advice?

Question

do i need the blades sharpening for a beginner?

whats the difference between recreational edge and premium edge?

and is there any other things i should make sure the skates i choose have?

thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

The Blue Ribbons are a good model to start with. It comes with the blade so you don't have to choose a blade.

I don't know how you are buying your skates, but if you're getting them off the internet, I strongly recommend you don't. I've seen people end up having to sell skates because the sizes don't correspond to your shoe size.  You really need to get fitted.  You could even go get fitted, not buy them from a shop, then order that size online (but that's a dirty trick).  Anyway, if you do get them from the internet, they are NOT sharpened.  You are expected to try them on at home and make sure they fit because once you sharpen them, you can't return them.  

You don't need a precision sharpening, don't worry about that.

Pretty much the best way to do it is to visit a pro shop, get fitted, try on different brands if that's a possibility, and let the boot fitter recommend what's right for you.  They really don't upsell you because there wouldn't be any point; an advanced, more expensive skate would be so stiff that you wouldn't be able to do anything in them.  So you can trust the people in your local pro shop.

Your pro shop will sharpen them for you, and they also can make little adjustments to the boot to make them fit just right.  Like if you have a spot that hurts just a little, they will punch them out (most people have to do this at the ankle bone).  It's worth the money to buy from a local shop where you can have your skates worked on.

Answer 2

Riedell is a good brand. They offer from beginner to advanced models. Depending on how much money you want to spend and your level. If you want to save money check your rink for used skakes people sell and ask a skating teacher. They can help you out.  quality skates have the boot sold separate from the blade.Boot should be leather with plenty of ankle support. to hold your ankles up, not the other way around. week ankles are myth perpetuated by people who went skating once in bad rental skates. The  blade should be made of preferably Sheffield steel, with a small toe pick for beginners and larger for more advanced jumps(toe picks are for jumps, not spinning or stopping). Best brands fro bladed-MK and Wilson.And most important, yes get your skates sharpened. Did you ever see Bambi, when he trys to walk for the 1st time, that is what dull blades do. I don't know about recreational edge, unless you mean blade. in 19 years on teaching skating I never heard that. But lazy zamboni -skate sharpener guys will tell people that rental skates don't need to be sharpened, they also will tell you the bathroom doesn't need to be cleaned, if its their job.

Answer 3

Riedells are good for beginners, but I don't like them because they gave me blisters.  The blades should be already sharp when you buy them, if not then you should probably get them sharpened if they look like they need to be.  Otherwise get them sharpened every two-three months depending on how often you skate.  I have no idea what the difference between recreational and premium edge is, but I would guess that premium is a little better quality.  You should just make sure that your skates fit well and that they are comfortable.

Answer 4

well if you r talking about figure skates ime not sure hocky skates i know about when you buy the skates the blades should allready be sharpened and you should get a size bigger than your actual sho size i would buy them from a shop rather than a web page so u know they fit ok and can see them so u know u like them cause seeing a picture is alot different to actually seeing them u can look at them feel them try them on the edge bit i think means the cut and i would get premium *** the recreational means faster i think but ime not sure so if ime wrong dont be mad at me