Product information
Grinding Rings Comparison Chart
SPARX RADIUS VS FIRE RINGS
SPARX RADIUS RING
The Sparx Radius Rings produces the traditional hollows most commonly used in hockey, including the most popular 1/2” and 5/8” cuts. Choose from 12 different radius rings – from the deepest hollow for extreme grip (5/16”) to the flattest hollow for unmatched glide (1-¼”).
SPARX FIRE RINGS
Looking to get the grip you need with the benefit of extra glide? Our FIRE Ring hollows provide exactly what you are looking for – the best of both worlds. Available in four different cuts (3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”) the FIRE ring is a re-imagined and optimized flat bottom hollow that provides improved glide while still maintain desired bite.
UNDERSTANDING RADIUS OF HOLLOW
Radius of Hollow is simply how deep the groove is that is cut into the skate blade from sharpening. The deeper the cut, the more grip the blade will have on the ice. The shallower the cut, the more glide the blade will have on the ice. A smaller Radius Ring (5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”) will cut deeper into the blade creating more bite, while a larger Radius Ring (1-1/8”, 1”, 7/8”) will not cut as deep, creating more glide.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RADIUS OF HOLLOW
Choosing the right hollow is a matter of personal preference, whether you want more bite or more glide. The most common Radius of Hollow is a 1/2”, which is what you will find in most retail settings. We recommend 1/2” for most youth players (less body weight) and then increasing the radius (9/16”, 5/8”) as the player gets larger.
CHOOSING YOUR GRINDING RING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does a Grinding Ring last?
If you’re freshening up your blades after every skate, you’ll get 50-60 sharpenings (or even more!) per ring (Radius Ring or FIRE Ring) and if you’re sharpening your skates after every 5-6 hours of ice time, you’ll get about 40 sharpenings. We like to say its about $1 per sharpening.
How does the Grinding Ring know when it's out of sharpenings?
This information is stored on a microchip inside the Grinding Ring and is relayed to the Ring Life Status Bar on the Menu Pad.
Do you offer a Flat Bottom sharpening?
Yes! Our patented FIRE (Flat Inside Radius Edges) Ring produces a flat bottom hollow.
How do I know which Grinding Ring to choose?
While there are many options available, the most common grinding rings are the 1/2" and the 5/8" Radius Ring™. Through our testing, we have determined that a 1/2" Radius Ring is a great starting point for smaller, younger players. Many adult players skate on a 1/2" radius as well. We have, however, found that larger, heavier players actually do quite well on the 5/8" radius. A flatter radius, the 5/8" allows heavier players to sufficiently grab an edge for turning and stopping but provides great glide as more of the blade remains above the ice surface.
What is the difference between a Radius Ring™ and a FIRE Ring™?
The easiest answer is that the Radius Ring™ produces a traditional "radius of hollow" (ROH) sharpening. Unless you know you skate on a flat-bottom profile, you will likely want to choose the Radius Ring at checkout. The Radius Rings work for both player skates and goalie skates. The FIRE Ring™ produces a flat-bottom cut with radius edges. You can find more information on the Grinding Rings page or in this blog post.
ACCESSORIES
- MMMathieu M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3 weeks agoGreat machine!
I really like it, no more running around for sharpening, easy to use and sharp skates every time!
- CSChris S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7 months agoOriginal Sparks
The radius rings give you selection on edges for all different types of skaters. I have had a Sparx for years now, in fact I believe I have the first generation of sharpeners. Keeping it clean and replacing the filter when needed has allowed the machine to stay in great working order.
The Sparx is very easy to use, in fact both my (15 &12 yrs) now sharped there own skates. Living in a small town where getting your skates sharpened can be a challenge, but the Sparx has changed all that.
I would not hesitate to recommend owning a Sparx.
- CJChristopher J.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1 year agoGreat Rings
So far so good. Used about 20% of the ring so far. Minimal burrs and consistent cut end to end.
5/8" rings are good for me (180lbs, above average skater) and my 12 y/o son (80lbs above average skater)
1/2" rings are good for younger lighter players or for players that prefer more grip and a little less glide.
- HTHeath T.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1 year agoI wish I would have bought this Sparx 3 sooner
I currently use the 1/2" and 5/8" radius ring. The beam unit sure helps with correct adjustments. I have 3 kids and multiple Teammates dropping off skates to get sharpened. Im so glad I don't have to drive across Saskatoon a wait hours to get my kids skates done.
Thanks
Sparx
- MCMike C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars26 minutes agoGen 2
Had Gen 2 for 2 years. Been a great machine. Currently have gone through 3 rings no issues. Travelling with it seems robust in the soft shell case. Only recent just adjusted the alignment slightly. The machine has covered hockey, goalie and figure skating. Figure skates is a more manual setup but it does the trick.