Whatis the best way to look after your skates and blades? I've got my first pair of skates and abbot clueless. I have a protective bag and blade protectors, and I know I have to fully dry my blades when I get off, but what else should I be doing? I've read about waxing blades? And leather protection? Any tips?
(a) Assuming you dry your blades thoroughly, you don't need to use wax or oil to keep the blades from rusting. The exception is if you plan to store your skates for a while; e.g., some skaters don't skate over the summer months. Then a coat of wax or oil on the blades will reduce the risk of rust, especially if the storage area is humid [this applies for carbon-steel blades; not needed for stainless-steel blades]. Note, if you do use wax or oil, always make sure that the blades have warmed to room temperature and are thoroughly dry before applying the wax or oil.
(b) To make sure the blades are thoroughly dry, I use two wipes and two pairs of soakers. At the rink, when I get off the ice, I dry off the blades with the first wipe and put on the first pair of soakers. The blades are still cold, so moisture from the air will condense on the blades. When I get home, I remove the first pair of soakers, dry the blades with the second wipe, and put on the second pair of soakers.
(c) When you walk around the rink off the ice, always wear rubber or plastic hard guards, even when you are walking on rubber matting (usually loaded with gritty dirt). You should remove the hard guards just before you get on the ice, and put them on just after you get off the ice.
(d) Never store your skates with hard guards on; they will facilitate rust. Cover the blades with soakers during storage. Never store your skates for extended times in a closed bag or locker.
(e) I treat my boots with silicone protectant every 4 months (I skate 5 days a week almost year round). I prefer the liquid silicone instead of the more common silicone spray (nasty stuff to breath in).
(f) Assuming your blades are mounted with screws, not rivets, be sure to check the tightness of the mounting screws regularly. With new skates, you should check the screws before each session, as the blade and boot wear in. Be careful not to overtighten the screws; otherwise, you will strip the mounting holes. If you don't know how tight is just right and how tight is too much, ask a skate tech to show you.
