How to Choose Figure Skating Blades
Your blade is where your skating meets the ice. It determines how you glide, spin, turn, and land. Choosing the right blade for your skill level and discipline is just as important as choosing the right boot. This guide explains the key factors that differentiate blades and how to find the right match.
Step 1: Match Your Blade to Your Skill Level
| Level | Recommended Blades | Profile | Rocker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | MK Galaxy, Ultima Mirage, Legacy 7 | Parallel | 7-foot |
| Intermediate | MK Professional, JW Coronation Ace, Ultima Legacy 8, Aspire X | Parallel | 7-ft / 8-ft |
| Advanced | MK Phantom, JW Gold Seal, Apex Freestyle, Apex Supreme, Matrix Supreme | Tapered, side-honed | 7-ft / 8-ft |
| Elite | MK Gold Star, JW Pattern 99, REV & Phoenix variants, Apex Elite, Matrix Elite | Tapered / Parallel | 7-ft / 8-ft |
| Ice Dance | MK Dance, Apex Dance | Slimline | 7-foot |
| Synchro | Apex Synchro | Short heel | 7-foot |
💡 Tip: The Coronation Ace is the most popular freestyle blade in the world and a go-to choice for skaters working from the Axel through doubles. You cannot go wrong with it at the intermediate level.
Step 2: Understand Rocker Radius
The rocker radius is the curvature along the bottom of the blade from toe to heel.
- 7-Foot Rocker: A tighter curve with less blade contact on the ice. More responsive and maneuverable, with less friction during spins. Used on the MK Galaxy, Professional, Phantom, Gold Star, Coronation Ace, MK Dance, and Jackson's Apex Dance and Apex Synchro.
- 8-Foot Rocker: A gentler curve with a longer contact area. Provides more stability during extended edges and jump approaches, but rewards precise technique and punishes sloppy weight placement. Used on the John Wilson Gold Seal, Pattern 99, Phoenix 99 and Phoenix Gold, and across Jackson's Matrix and Apex advanced lines and the Ultima Legacy 8.
Step 3: Know Your Blade Profile
| Feature | Parallel | Tapered |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Consistent front to back | Wider front, narrower tail |
| Edge feel | Uniform, predictable | Sharper, more aggressive |
| Best for | Beginner through elite | Advanced and elite |
| Forgiveness | More forgiving | Less forgiving, more precision |
| Example blades | MK Galaxy, Professional, Pattern 99 | MK Phantom, Gold Star, JW Gold Seal, Matrix and Apex advanced blades |
Step 4: Compare Blade Brands
| Brand | Origin | Range | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK Blades | Sheffield, England | Beginner to elite + dance | Full lineup from Galaxy to Gold Star REV. Lifetime warranty. |
| John Wilson | Sheffield, England | Intermediate to elite | Heritage since 1696. Coronation Ace, Gold Seal, Pattern 99, Phoenix series. Lifetime warranty. |
|
Jackson Matrix · Apex · Ultima |
Designed in Canada | Beginner to elite, plus dance and synchro | Three lines solving three problems: Matrix aircraft-aluminium chassis at 33% lighter with Japanese AUS8 stainless runners, Apex titanium-coated steel for longer edge life, Ultima for the developmental range. RXS models let you replace the runner rather than the blade. Full breakdown. |
| Paramount | USA | Intermediate to elite | Aerospace aluminum chassis, 1085 carbon steel runners (highest carbon content available). |
Step 5: Lightweight Blade Technology
Weight on the end of your leg costs you on every jump, and three different approaches exist to reduce it. Carbon fibre goes lightest; aluminium gives you a replaceable runner.
- Revolution (REV) Chassis: Available on the Phantom REV, Gold Star REV, Gold Seal REV, and Pattern 99 REV. Replaces steel stanchions with 100% unidirectional carbon fiber. Also insulates your foot from ice cold.
- Phoenix (Full Carbon Fiber Body): The Phoenix 99 and Phoenix Gold construct the entire blade body from carbon fiber, achieving 46% weight reduction over traditional blades.
- Matrix (Aircraft Aluminium Chassis): Jackson's Matrix line replaces the forged steel structure with an aircraft-grade aluminium chassis, coming in 33% lighter with a Japanese AUS8 stainless runner. On the RXS models the runner is replaceable in seconds, so a worn runner does not mean a new blade.
- Ultima cutout: The Ultima Legacy blades use a lightweight cutout design that saves roughly 10% — a modest, affordable step at the developmental level rather than an elite upgrade.
💡 Carbon fibre and aluminium trade off differently. Carbon fibre goes lighter and insulates your feet from the cold of the ice, which metal cannot do — skaters frequently report warmer feet after switching to REV or Phoenix. Aluminium does not insulate, but it is the only route that lets you replace the runner instead of the whole blade. Neither is simply better.
Learn more on our REV & Carbon Fiber Blades and Matrix, Apex & Ultima Blade Technology pages. For matching blade length to boot size, see our Blade Sizing Guide. For runner material differences, visit Blade Materials Explained.
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