What is the rocker?
A – If you look at the blade from the side, you will see that it curves up front and back. This is rocker. Blade companies generally specify the “rocker radius” for their different blades. If you draw a circle of this radius (typically 7 or 8 feet), approximately the back 2/3 of the blade will have a fairly circular contour. The radius of curvature decreases toward the front (there is more curve), giving the blade a complex shape. The increased curve toward the front of the blade has an interesting effect. If you move your weight forward on the blade while on an edge, it will want to turn on a deeper edge. You may know that you spin on this part of the blade. You probably have also felt how the blade can grab if you rock back on it while spinning. A long radius of curvature gives a faster, more stable blade. This is why speed skates have very little rocker. It is also gives less maneuverability, which is a reason why figure skates curve more at the front. In my experience the rocker ra
