Re-edgers are a common tool in ice skating, particularly among hockey players and recreational skaters. When used correctly and sparingly, they can improve on-ice feel between professional sharpenings. When overused or misunderstood, they can shorten blade life and negatively affect skating performance.
This page explains what re-edgers actually do, how to use them properly, and—just as importantly—what they should not be used for.
What Is a Re-Edger?
A re-edger is a handheld tool designed to remove burrs and surface damage from the edges of a skate blade. Most re-edgers use either carbide inserts, ceramic stones, or hardened steel to lightly abrade the blade edges.
They are not a substitute for a full sharpening and are not capable of restoring a correctly profiled hollow or blade geometry.
Think of a re-edger as maintenance, not sharpening.
What Re-Edgers Actually Do to the Blade
This is the most important point to understand.
A re-edger:
- Cleans up burrs and nicks caused by skating, stops, or contact with debris
- Restores a crisp edge feel by removing rolled or mushroomed metal
- Improves initial bite compared to a damaged edge
However, this comes at a cost.
A re-edger:
- Reduces edge angle over time
- Rounds the edges toward vertical
- Gradually flattens the effective hollow
In simple terms:
You get a cleaner, sharper-feeling edge, but you lose the precise edge geometry created by a professional sharpening.
This is why skates that are frequently re-edged often feel “sharp but skiddy” or lack consistent grip in turns.
When a Re-Edger Is Appropriate
Re-edgers are best used:
- Between game periods, games or sessions when a full sharpening isn’t practical
- After light edge damage (minor nicks or roughness)
- When one edge feels noticeably worse than the other
- To extend the usability of a sharpening for a short period
When a Re-Edger Should Not Be Used
Avoid using a re-edger:
- As a replacement for sharpening
- On every session or every few skates
- To “fix” dull skates repeatedly
If your skates no longer hold an edge in turns or stops, a re-edger will not solve the underlying problem—and may make it worse.
Proper Technique for Using a Re-Edger
If you choose to use a re-edger, technique matters.
General guidelines:
- Secure the skate so it cannot move
- Use light pressure only—let the tool do the work
- Make smooth, controlled passes from heel to toe
- Limit to one or two passes per edge
- Treat both edges evenly unless correcting a specific issue
Do not:
- Press hard
- Make repeated passes “until it feels sharp”
- Rock or tilt the tool
- Use the tool at an angle
Aggressive or repeated use accelerates edge angle loss and blade wear.
Long-Term Effects on Blade Life
Frequent re-edging:
- Removes steel unevenly
- Alters blade geometry in ways that cannot be corrected without regrinding
- Shortens the usable life of the blade
Because re-edgers remove material from the edges only, they change the blade in a different way than a sharpening machine, which re-establishes symmetry and hollow across the full width.
Summary
Re-edgers can be useful tools when used with restraint and understanding. They provide a cleaner, sharper-feeling edge by removing damage, but they do so at the expense of edge angle and blade geometry.
Used occasionally and carefully, they can extend a sharpening. Used frequently or aggressively, they degrade performance and shorten blade life.
If in doubt, a proper sharpening is always the better solution.