Nowadays, it’s quick and easy to replace your skate blades, including the holders, when necessary. Here we explain why, when, and how you should replace the blades on your hockey skates.

A hockey skate consists of a boot, a holder, and a steel (the blade), which is attached to the holder. All of these parts can be separated, allowing you to replace both the holder and the blade when needed. This means you can quickly upgrade the lower parts of your skate if they break, wear out, or if you simply want to try something new to optimize your skating performance. Note that different brands have their own holders and blades designed specifically for their models.

How to choose a holder and blade that fit
It’s important to buy a holder that is the correct size for your skates. You can ensure this by comparing the size of your skates with the size chart available on the product page for each holder. Additionally, make sure to purchase a holder for the left skate and another for the right skate. You’ll also select this on the product page.

When it comes to the blade (the steel), it’s equally important that it fits the holder it’s attached to. Just like with the holder, you can use the size of your skates and compare it to the size chart on the product page. To be absolutely sure, you can also check the number (size) listed on the blade of your current steel.

Why should you replace your blade?
There are mainly two reasons why you might want to replace the blade on your skates. The first reason is that the steel has worn down due to repeated sharpening. As a general rule, when the steel is thinner than 10 mm in the middle of the blade, it’s time to replace it. Another reason is that you simply want to update the skate with a new blade, which may be more advanced and better suited to your skating style. In addition to the quality of the material, more expensive steels are typically better sharpened, offering better glide and "bite" in the edges as a result.

How to replace the blade?
How you replace the blade on your skates depends on the type of skate you have, as it differs between brands and models. However, it’s become easier over the years, and replacing the blade on modern skates, such as CCM, Bauer, or Warrior, typically takes no more than 30-40 seconds. For older models, you may need a screwdriver to loosen a nut in order to remove the blade from the holder.

How often should you replace the blade?
The more you sharpen your skates, the faster the steel wears down. This means that elite players who sharpen their skates several days a week may need to replace the blade more frequently, possibly once per season. However, if you only play hockey a few times a year, you can continue using the same blade as long as the skates hold up.