Blade Mounting & Screws

Mounting blades to boots is one of the most critical steps in setting up figure skates. The hardware, the pilot holes and the sole material all have to match, and getting any of them wrong shows up in your skating. This guide explains what the process involves and how it differs between the boots we carry.

Screw Types: Pan Head vs. Counter Sunk

Two head shapes do two different jobs, and a proper mount uses both at different stages.

The Mounting Process

While mounting should always be done by an experienced technician, understanding the process helps you make informed equipment decisions:

Step 1: Boot preparation.
The technician examines the sole and marks reference points for blade alignment. EDEA boots include guide markings on the sole to assist with proper blade placement.

Step 2: Blade positioning.
The blade is placed according to foot anatomy, skating discipline, and individual preferences. This is where the technician's expertise is critical — alignment is measured in fractions of millimeters.

Step 3: Drilling pilot holes.
Small holes are drilled using the correct drill bit — typically 2.0mm for the sole and 2.5mm for the heel on EDEA boots.

Step 4: Temporary screw installation.
Pan head screws are installed in a subset of holes — enough to hold the blade securely for test skating, but easy to remove if adjustments are needed.

Step 5: Test skating and adjustment.
The skater tests the position on ice over one or more sessions. If the blade needs repositioning, the temporary screws are removed, the blade is adjusted, and new pilot holes are drilled.

Step 6: Permanent screw installation.
Once the skater and technician are satisfied with the alignment, counter sunk screws are installed in all holes for a secure, long-term hold.

Buying a Complete Skate? There's No Mounting Decision

Complete skates arrive with the blade already mounted and sharpened at the factory, so none of the above applies. Jackson also offers temporary mount versions of several packages — factory-mounted with a partial set of screws so the blade can still be repositioned once the skater has tried it on the ice.

Soles Differ, So Hardware Differs

The sole is what the screws actually bite into, and the two brands solve screw retention in completely different ways.

EDEA — a proprietary thread

EDEA's Freedom Collection boots use carbon fiber sole plates that need longer hardware — 17mm heavy duty screws, also used for mounting roller frames, LINEA frames and carbon fiber-top ice blades. Pilot holes on EDEA boots are typically 2.0mm for the sole and 2.5mm for the heel.

Jackson — engineered heel material

Jackson takes a different route: rather than a special screw, it builds the sole around holding an ordinary one.

• PBX sole — a three-piece design that allows ABS heels specifically for the strength and security of the screws, alongside ABS insoles, in a low-profile shape.
• Fusion Sole — lightweight nylon composite, torque resistant and waterproof, with a rubber inlay that gives a non-slip blade mount and absorbs landing shock.
• Leather Carbon Fiber (LCF) — 15% lighter than a leather cork composite sole, water and torque resistant, with a rubber bottom layer for the same non-slip mount.

Jackson does not publish pilot-hole dimensions the way EDEA does — those come from the technician doing the mount. See What Makes Jackson Boots Special for the full sole breakdown.

Replaceable Runners: Mounting You Only Do Once

Jackson's RXS blades change the maintenance picture. The runner — the part that contacts the ice and eventually sharpens away — detaches from the chassis and is replaced in seconds. The chassis stays mounted to the boot, so a worn runner does not mean a remount.

The runner is held by two torqued screws through the chassis plus an interlocking joint that eliminates any chance of it shifting under load, and every replacement runner carries the same 8-foot rocker. Read more in Matrix, Apex & Ultima Blade Technology.

Carbon Filler Plugs

When a blade is repositioned or swapped for a different model, old screw holes must be filled. EDEA Carbon Filler Plugs solve this problem:

• Made from lightweight carbon fiber, each plug is 2.5mm in diameter and 12mm in length.
• Tapped into unused holes with a hammer and secured with adhesive (marine epoxy recommended).
• Once hardened, new pilot holes can be drilled right next to the filled holes without compromising sole integrity.
• Sold in packs of 20.

Checking a Mount

A technician verifies a finished mount with measuring tools rather than by eye — a squareness gauge to confirm the blade sits perpendicular to the sole, a rocker gauge to check the profile is intact, and a radius gauge for the hollow. If a new mount feels wrong on the ice, these are what your shop should be reaching for.

For help choosing the right blade, see our guide on How to Choose Figure Skating Blades, or the Blade Sizing Guide for matching blade length to your boot.