Shop pro-grade hockey skate stones, burr stones, and skate honing stones tested daily inside the Utah Olympic Oval—headlined by our proprietary Salty Gold MIC-6 Cast Aluminum Diamond Skate Stone (built with zero-flex Olympic Champion Speed Skating deburring technology), alongside classic BladeMaster and Norton India hand hones.
Hockey Skate Stones vs. Burr Stones vs. Honing Stones: How to Choose
Whether you call it a hockey skate stone, a burr stone, or a skate honing stone, its #1 job is identical: cleanly shearing off the microscopic wire “foil” burr left after sharpening—or rescuing a rolled edge on the bench after clipping a goal post—without rounding over your hollow.
Inside the Utah Olympic Oval, Salty Gold Supply Co. is the only skate shop in Salt Lake City—and in the world—that uses Olympic Champion Speed Skating technology (poured MIC-6 cast aluminum monocrystalline diamond plates) to finish hockey and figure skate blades. Compare the four main types of hockey stones below:
| Stone Type | Flatness & Lifespan | Edge-Roll Risk | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salty Gold MIC-6 Cast Aluminum Diamond Stone | Precision-cast dead-flat core; lasts years without dishing | Lowest — rigid plate stays 100% flush on the side wall | Post-Sparx deburring, bench goalpost nick rescue & hard modern stainless runners |
| Aluminum Oxide / India Hand Stones (BladeMaster & Norton) | Moderate; wears & dishes slightly over time | Low–Moderate if held flat; replace once grooved | Classic, forgiving everyday locker-room deburring on uncoated stainless steel |
| Rubber / Gummy Abrasive Stones | Soft flexible rubber matrix | High if pressed hard or swiped across hollow | Polishing decorative side finishes on black/DLC-coated steel (Step Blacksteel, Pulse Ti) |
| Handheld V-Groove Re-Edger (Quick Fix) | Pocket emergency ceramic V-slot | Emergency hollow touch-up only | Last-resort tournament emergency when no skate sharpener is open |
Hockey Skate Stone Grit Chart (140 vs. 400 vs. 600 vs. 1200)
- 140 Grit (Extra Coarse — Bench Rescue): Cuts fast through folded steel and deep goalpost or pebble nicks between periods.
- 400 Grit (Coarse — Heavy Burr & Hard Steel): Quickly knocks down heavy grinding burrs on ultra-hard modern hockey steel.
- 600 Grit (Medium — Everyday Post-Sparx Honing): Our #1 all-around grit for two light, flat passes after a Sparx or pro-shop sharpening.
- 1200 Grit (Fine — Olympic Mirror Finish): Sub-micron side-wall polishing for maximum glide speed and crisp edge release.
Want the full technical breakdown—including safe care for Step Blacksteel, Bauer Pulse Ti, and CCM XS Black coated runners? Read our complete Hockey Skate Stones & Burr Stones Honing Guide.
Hockey Skate Stones & Burr Stones FAQs
Is a hockey skate stone the same thing as a burr stone or honing stone?
Yes! Hockey players and equipment managers typically call it a skate stone or honing stone, while speed skaters and blade technicians call it a burr stone or deburring plate. All three refer to a flat handheld stone run flush along the outside face of the skate runner to remove ragged grinding burrs and smooth out minor nicks between sharpenings.
Why is Salty Gold's MIC-6 diamond hockey skate stone better than standard ceramic or gummy stones?
Traditional clay/ceramic stones wear into a curved groove (dishing), and soft gummy stones flex under finger pressure—both of which tilt into your hollow and microscopically round over your sharp bite edge. Our Salty Gold Hockey Pro Burr Skate Stone uses a poured, stress-relieved MIC-6 cast aluminum core from Olympic Champion Speed Skating technology bonded with monocrystalline diamond, staying dead-flat for years so two light strokes shear away burrs with zero edge roll.
Can I use a diamond or aluminum oxide skate stone on coated or black steel (Step Blacksteel, Bauer Pulse Ti)?
On mirror-coated or black DLC runners (such as Step Blacksteel, Bauer Pulse Ti, or CCM XS Black), coarse abrasive stones rubbed across the side face will cosmetically scratch or strip the dark coating. For coated runners, most equipment managers use a soft rubberized hone or leather strop for routine post-sharpening deburring, and reserve a flat 600- or 1200-grit diamond stone strictly for targeted emergency goalpost nick repairs right at the damaged spot.
What stone should I keep in my hockey bag for goalpost nicks vs. home Sparx deburring?
For a home Sparx sharpener, our 600-grit or 1200-grit Salty Gold MIC-6 Diamond Pro Burr Stone (or a classic BladeMaster Hand Stone / Norton Fine India Burr Stone) removes the post-grinding foil burr in two flat passes. For bench emergencies after stepping on metal or hitting a goal post, keep a 140/400 or 400/600 grit MIC-6 Diamond Stone in your bag.
How do you use a burr stone on hockey skates without ruining your edges?
Dry the blade first, press the flat face of the stone 100% flush against the flat vertical side wall of the steel (never angled into the bottom hollow groove!), and make 1–2 light, smooth passes from heel to toe on both the inside and outside faces. Wipe away any metal dust before stepping back on the ice.