Find answers to common questions about XCBlade products, technology, and services. Get the information you need to enhance your experience with our cutting-edge gear.
How can I find my XCblade?+
What is XCBlade?+
XCBlade is a revolutionary 3D asymmetrical, worldwide patented hockey skate blade. Based on the benefits most similar to carving ski blades, XCBlades have widened front and back ends, thus providing better grip on turns, crossovers and brakes, while allowing more speed and power transfer. A pair of XCBlade consist of a left and right blade of different shapes. These blades are asymmetrical for mechanical reasons - each leg does not travel the same distance during a turn. The asymmetrical shape compensates for the negative effects of different turn lengths..
What advantages have XCBlades?+
With XCBlade you may experience:
- tight turns at higher speed
- increased dynamics at acceleration
- increased efficiency at braking
- optimized energy for skating
- increased turning stability
What parameter have XCBlades?+
XCBlades are 2 mm higher than standard blades, providing an even longer lifespan. The middle section of the blades is parallel, with a thickness of 3.4 mm. XCBlades are considered light among hockey skate blades, even with the extra material added. Here you can see the weight of some blades, so you can get the general idea.
Wich curvature types are currently produced?+
XCBlades come in 3 variants, with detailed parameters:
- MC (Medium Curve)
- Front curvature max. 0.2mm
- Rear curvature max. 1.6mm
- LC (Large Curve)
- Front curvature max. 0.4mm
- Rear curvature max. 2.2mm
- XC (eXtra Curve)
- Front curvature max. 0.6mm
- Rear curvature max. 2.8mm
Wich versions of XCBade are currently available?+
SSP - Stainless Steel Polished
- Exquisite quality tool steel
- Heat treated to 54-58 HRC hardness
DLC - Diamond-like Carbon
- Exquisite quality tool steel
- Heat treated to 54-58 HRC hardness
- What is DLC? - The Diamond-like Carbon coating provides some of the properties of diamond to surfaces of almost any material. The primary desirable qualities are hardness, wear resistance, and slickness
- Less friction between the blade and the ice
- Provides longer lifespan to the blade
- A single process is longer, but fewer sharpenings are required
Why do DLC blades cost more?+
The Diamond-Like Carbon coating provides the blade a longer lifespan, increases its quality, makes it more resistant to shocks and external influences, and although a single sharpening takes a little bit more time, the blade itself requires sharpening much less frequently. The blade becomes “R2R - Ready 2 Race” with the DLC.
What is ready to race?+
Our DLC blades get their coating after sharpening - so unlike other brands - the coating is not removed from the bottom of the blade, as it would with unsharpened blades during the first sharpening. The customers only need to pop their sharpened DLC XCBlades into the holders, and they are instantly - Ready to Race.
How XCBlades are profiled and sharpened?+
The Blades are factory profiled in house to an SPRPS (Synthetized Penta Radius Profile Spline), corresponding to their size. This profile is better than the Prosharp Quad profile, because it is synthesized from five different radiuses for the best combination of turning and gliding. The SSP is unsharpened, but the DLC’s of size 254 and under are sharpened to 20mm (~0.79 inches - 6/8”), and 263 and above to an ROH of 25mm (1 inch). They get their DLC coating after sharpening, so they are -as we call them - R2R-Ready to Race right after unboxing (blades of other brands are coated without sharpening, so during the first sharpening the layer on the bottom of the blade disappears, thus losing value even before the first step on ice). Sharpening XCBlade is as simple as it is with standard blades, you just have to pay attention to a few things. XCBlade was designed in a way that sharpening is easy and simple, neither its asymmetry nor the extra edge affects the process. XCBlade Users can have a shallower hollow by up to 20-25%. This is because the extra material provides sufficient grip, and it will compensate for the bigger hollow, and you may increase your speed by reducing friction. Our Sharpening Guide provides a step-by-step explanation.
Can XCBlade sharpened on SparX, Prosharp, Blademaster etc.?+
As of our current knowledge, every single sharpening machine is fully capable to safely sharpen XCBlade. No modifications need to be made to sharpen the blades, although it requires a little more attention, because any kind of misalignment, or mis-sharpening has increased negative impact on the blade.
What kind of XCBlade should I use?+
Everyone can have some tips finding the suitable blade for themselves. Most of the elite, professional skaters use Large Curve blades. A good rule of thumb is: larger curve for higher center of gravity, lesser curve for lower center of gravity.
What to do if I don't like XCBlade?+
First of all contact us! We may can help you in understanding. You have a 14 day return and refund options.
How to sharpen the XCBlade?+
As of our current knowledge, every single sharpening machine (Prosharp, Sparx, Blademaster...) is fully capable to safely sharpen XCBlade. No modifications need to be made to sharpen the blades, although it requires a little more attention, because any kind of misalignment, or mis-sharpening has increased negative impact on the blade.
