Paramount Announces Next Generation Figure Skate Blades

Paramount Skates is pleased to be marketing a new series of figure skating blades that define the state of the art in figure skate design.

Utilizing advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, they are lighter, stiffer, stronger, and hold an edge better than conventional blades. On top of that, they are made of non-rusting materials, are available in colors, and are strikingly beautiful!

The new blades use a frame that is computer machined from a solid piece of high strength aluminum alloy. Use of this material results in a blade that weighs up to 50 % lighter than a conventional blade. Its unique diamond-shaped cross section provides strength that significantly exceeds conventional blades, as well as superior stiffness, so that the skater's energy goes into their skating, not the blade.

Use of Aluminum for the frame also allows it to be anodized in a number of attractive colors. Currently available are light blue, light pink, light purple, black &white, with more on the way. Custom coloring is available at an extra cost.

Attached to the frame is a runner made of a high strength and exceptionally durable stainless steel alloy. In addition to resisting rust and other corrosion, this alloy offers superior edge retention. Skaters get 80 hours on the 420SS and 120 hours on the 440SS between sharpenings.

Because both the frame and the blade runner are fabricated using high-precision computer-controlled machining equipment, the skater can be assured that every Paramount blade will be exactly like every other Paramount blade of that model.

Skaters who have tried the new blades typically remark on their lightness and quickness, how quiet they are, and how fast they are. On the freestyle models, skaters frequently comment on how well the pick "sticks" on toe jumps, and how secure these takeoffs feel.

Why is acceleration important?

The height of a jump is based upon the vertical velocity a skater can create. While converting horizontal velocity into vertical velocity creates part of the vertical velocity for a jump, on certain jumps accelerating the skater’s leg to provide additional vertical velocity creates an important part of the vertical velocity. This is particularly important in axle jumps. The skater accelerates the free leg through the arc to provide additional vertical velocity. The amount of this velocity is a function of the mass of the boot/blade assembly. Again the lighter the boot/blade the more acceleration and velocity the skater will create given a fixed amount of force.

It is important to understand that many factors go into performing a jump or spin. The most important factor is the skater’s athletic ability followed by the coaching expertise available. However given comparable skaters the effect of the skaters equipment does play an important role in the potential success of the skater. Skating involves physics and by understanding the physics of skating allows the skater to select equipment that will work to help improve the skaters abilities.

Certainly the most important physic equation that is involved in skating is F=m*a. What this equation states is that the force to move an object is a function of that objects mass times the acceleration of that mass. The acceleration a skater can create is therefore a function of the mass and the force. So the more acceleration a skater has the higher and longer the jump. In skating a skater develops a fixed amount of force. The amount of force can be increased via on and off-ice exercises but over relative fixed periods of time the amount of force a skater can produce for a jump is fixed. Therefore if we want to increase the acceleration and therefore the velocity available for the jump we need to alter the mass involved.

A = f/m. So the smaller the mass the larger the acceleration given the same force.

Example 1 a = 10/5 = 2
Example 2 a = 10 /2.5 = 4

Therefore reduce the mass by a factor of 2 will double the acceleration.

Now it is not possible to reduce the mass by a factor of two but it is desirable to reduce the mass as much as possible. This is why coaches are concerned about the weight of a skater.

Now unfortunately skating is a bit more complex than the simple equation of F=m*a. There is also another concept that is critical in skating and that is the theory of “Moment of Inertia. “. The Moment of Inertia is the resistance an object has to change direction when it is being rotated. The moment of inertia is constantly in play with skating. The point moment of inertia equation is I=m*r2. This is the equation for the kinetic moment of inertia as that is what is most applicable to skating. In skating we are concerned

about angular velocity, angular moment and torque. Looking at the equation we once again see that mass is a portion of the equation. If we want to reduce the moment of inertia we must change the radius or in the case of a skater the length of the legs or reduce the mass. Since we can’t change the skater’s leg length then we must change the mass of the blade/boot assembly.
When a skater is jumping that skater is changing linear velocity (in one direction) to a rotational velocity for the jump. In order to do this the skater must over come the Moment of Inertia of both his body and the blades/boots assembly. When a skater pulls in to perform a jump what the skater is attempting to do is make their Moment of Inertia as small as possible. This way the maximum amount of their linear velocity as well a rotational force created by their muscles is turned into rotational velocity.

It is important to know that there are times that we use the Moment of Inertia to help us skate and then there are times we want as little Moment of Inertia as possible. The faster the moment of inertia can be changed the faster the spin will be and the less weight that needs to be moved the faster the object can be moved.

Precision Control.
Figure skating is a very precise sport requiring exact precision. Again let us look at the effect of weight on a skater’s ability to control the movement of the blade/boot assembly. We have looked at the role weight (mass) plays in moving an object. In this we learned that the lower the mass the less force a skater needs to move the blade/boot assembly to the spot the skater wants the blade/boot assembly to be. It should also be understood that the same effect is true when the skate needs to be stopped. The theory of Inertia says a body in motion will remain in motion unless an opposite force is applied. SO not only is weight a factor in moving the skate it is also a factor in stopping or positioning the skate. This characteristic is very important in Dance as well as Free skate.

How much effect does a change in weight result in. This is difficult to calculate, as the force a skater has is different from skater to skater as well the physical dimensions vary skater to skater. It is best to look at the percentage changes that result from changing from traditional blades/boots to new lightweight blades/boots. A 10% reduction will result in a 10% increase in acceleration or reduction in Moment of Inertia. If you have questions contact Charlie here. Remember that the % reduction is based on the total skater weight not just the equipment weight.

Research the time parameters of a jump. Use Dart Fish data to obtain information. Then do an example that shows an improvement in terms of possible improvements in dart fish. For example .05 of a second is what amount of rotation degrees.

Weight without strength is not good.