Fig.1: Friesland aluminium speed skates, around
1935
The aluminium platforms of these ice
skates were thought to make the skates stiffer and to contribute to the
sustainability of them. It appeared, however, that the metal platforms
worked out to be a big disadvantage as snow and ice sting froze to them
and resulted in a poor contact between boots and ice skates. It also
became clear that the aluminium used was too soft to withstand the
skating forces. After a few years already the production was ceased and
the retail stocks were taken back. It is clear that aluminium skates
were designed for the happy few that loved skating and could afford
their high price.
These
skates came in three models that could be distinguished
by the colour of the middle part. Skates with short blades were blue and
skates with extended blades were red or green. The difference between
red and green concerns the thickness of the blades. The green ones have
thinner blades than the red ones. The idea was that the green skates
were used on hard and the red ones on soft ice. Experienced skaters
leaving for a long ride took both types with them. In the morning they
left on the green skates and changed them for the red ones when in the
course of the day the ice softened.
Manufacturer: E. Vonk, Oudeschoot;
mark: see detail 1
Technical data
green model:
total length: 39.5 cm; height over ice: 3 cm; platforms: 29 cm long, 4.5
cm wide; runner blades: 16 mm tall, 1.5 mm
thick; weight: 310 g
Technical data
red model:
total length: 39 cm; height over ice: 3.2 cm; platforms: 28 cm long,
5 cm wide; runner blades: 18 mm tall, 2 mm
thick; weight: 320 g
Fig.2: Friesland speed skates, around 1935
The platforms of these skates were made from a special aluminium alloy. They
were called 'Silumin' skates, a contraction of the words silicium and aluminium. Silicium
was added to harden the rather soft aluminium. These skates
had the same disadvantages as those in figure 1.
Manufacturer: Batavus, Heerenveen; mark: see detail 2
Technical data:
total length: 41.5 cm; height over ice: 3.2 cm;
platforms: 30 cm long, 4.5 cm wide;
runner blades: 11 mm tall, 1.9 mm thick;
weight: 355 g
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detail 1
detail 2 |