There are multiple reasons for offset or unlevel skate sharpenings. In most cases, this is an unwanted issue and considered poor workmanship. However, offset sharpenings are ideal for goalies as the stronger inside edge will allow for aggressive lateral pushes.

Reasons for offset or unlevel sharpenings are:

• Improper height adjustment during the sharpening process
• bent blade
• variance in blade thickness (players 2.8mm, goalies 4mm/3mm)

 

	Improper height adjustment on the sharpening holder is the most common reason for uneven edges. It happens when a blade doesn't line up to the centerline of the grinding wheel as depicted in the drawing to the left. As a result, the skater will feel a sharper edge and a weaker edge. The other cause for uneven edges is a bent runner. However, this type of uneven edges will only appear in not clamped blade locations such as heel and toe sections. It will create issues for the skater in turns and during acceleration.
	Uneven edges are the most significant problem seen on skates. When edges are not level, they feel dull on one side [2] and extremely sharp [1] on the other. In the case of a bent blade, edges are unevenly sharp along the length of the blade. When the unevenness is too large, the skater will find no predictability in the performance of the blade.
	Flat Bottom V fangs should be centred on the blade. As a result, equal fangs will create the same feel on both edges. However, since flat bottom V fangs appear in a flat, triangular shape, its edge bite [alpha] will remain the same.
	BFD fangs must be centred to the blade. A slight offset will create a different bite due to the radiused fangs. Also, the grip is increased on the larger edge [1] and reduced on the smaller edge. In the worst case, there will be no edge at all. See the depiction [2] to the left.

T = Thickness of Blade
r = Radius
D = Depth
W = Width
α = Bite Angle