Zandstra 3M Polishing Triangle for Speed Skating Blades

The Zandstra 3M Polishing Triangle is the final step to a truly fast edge. After you sharpen, this tool polishes the gliding surface of your speed skating blades to a mirror shine, cutting friction so the skate carries speed for longer. It uses genuine 3M lapping film in several grades on a purpose made aluminium triangle.

How it works

The triangle carries self adhesive 3M lapping film strips loaded with micro aluminium oxide. Working through the grades, from coarse to fine, brings the steel to a very shiny, glassy surface. A polished blade glides better and holds its edge longer than a freshly ground but unpolished one, which is why serious skaters finish every sharpen with a polish.

What is included

The triangle comes complete with three grades of film already fitted, ready to use.

• 40 micron, blue: the first, coarsest polishing stage
• 30 micron, green: the middle stage
• 3 micron, pink: the final stage for a mirror finish

Two further grades are available separately if you want a finer progression: 9 micron in light blue and 12 micron in yellow. All the strips are self adhesive and can be reordered on their own when they wear.

How to use it

1. Clamp your skates straight and level in a sharpening jig.
2. Start with the blue side, moving the triangle slowly back and forth along the runners and using the whole length of the strip.
3. When the friction drops, after about a minute, switch to the green side.
4. When the resistance eases again after another minute, finish with the pink side.
5. When there is no more friction, the job is done. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 minutes.

To check the result, look at the gliding surface. If you see a clean mirror, the polish is optimal. If not, simply repeat the pink stage, or the green stage before it.

Specification

• Body: specially extruded aluminium triangle, 25 cm long
• Abrasive: 3M self adhesive lapping film, micro aluminium oxide
• Included grades: 40 micron (blue), 30 micron (green) and 3 micron (pink)
• Optional grades: 9 micron (light blue) and 12 micron (yellow), sold separately
• Best for: polishing short track and long track speed skating blades to a mirror finish

Frequently asked questions

What is a polishing triangle for?

It polishes the blade after sharpening, bringing the steel to a mirror finish that glides faster and holds its edge longer. It does not sharpen, it finishes.

Do I use this instead of a stone?

No, you use it after. Sharpen first with a stone such as the Zandstra Foss stone, then polish with the triangle.

Do I need a jig?

Yes, for an even finish. Clamp the blades straight in a jig, such as our EHS sharpening jig, then work through the grades.

Can I replace the strips?

Yes. The 3M film strips are self adhesive and can be reordered separately when they wear.

New to sharpening? Read our full guide on how to sharpen short track blades, or browse the short track collection.