1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Figure Skating

Review of the K-Pick® Figure Skating Blade

About.com Rating 4

By , About.com Guide

K-Pick® Blade Technology

K-Pick® Blade Technology

Kpick Promotional Photo

The Bottom Line

K-Pick® figure skating blades help figure skaters with jumps. The blade gives skaters confidence and a better grip into the ice as they launch into toe jumps such as toe loops, flips, and lutzes. Only toe jumps are improved by using the K-Pick® blade; edge jumps (waltz jumps, loops, salchows, and axels) will not be affected by using K-Pick® blades. Some skaters and coaches claim that there is a significant difference in the spring of a jump when a figure skater uses K-Pick® blades.
Compare Prices

Pros

  • Jumps can be entered with more speed when K-Pick® blades are used.
  • The toe pick bites into the ice easily with the K-Pick® blade.
  • Some skaters say their jumps are higher when they use K-Pick® blades.
  • Some ice skaters become more confident when they skate in K-Pick® blades.

Cons

  • There is no guarantee that K-Pick® blades will work for every skater.
  • Edge jumps will not improve by the use of K-Pick® blades.

Description

  • K-Pick® blade technology is available on almost all models of MK and John Wilson blades.
  • Invented by the late Pieter Kollen, who was a prominent figure skating coach and skater.
  • K-Pick® blades were introduced in 1999.
  • Skaters from the Indiana/World Skating Academy tested K-Pick® blades before they were released to the general public.
  • K-Pick® blades have a distinctive pick pattern.

Guide Review - Review of the K-Pick® Figure Skating Blade

The late Pieter Kollen, who was a figure skating coach and the skating director at Indiana/World Skating Academy in Indianapolis, developed a revolutionary figure skating blade, called the K-Pick®.

Some ice skaters and figure skating coaches say that the K-Pick® blade does improve toe jumps. Some skaters say that their skates grip the ice better by using the K-Pick® blade. Others claim that they have better control of their skating and that the take-off of jumps is more precise by using this blade. Figure skaters of all ages and abilities say that they have gained confidence by skating on K-Pick® blades. The risk of slipping as a skater picks and launches into a jump is reduced by using K-Pick® blades. Some figure skaters say that their jumps are higher when they skate in K-Pick® blades.

It is not essential that every figure skater purchase or skate on K-Pick® blades, but using K-Pick® blade technology may help some ice skaters develop confidence and assurance.

Compare Prices
User Reviews Write Review

Explore Figure Skating

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Figure Skating
  4. Equipment
  5. Boots and Blades
  6. K-Pick® Blade Review - Review of K Pick Figure Skating Blades

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.