[rarestia]

I haven’t done a lot of ice skating, but in my youth, we used to go to the rink in the mall. Every pair of skates I’ve ever worn were flat bottomed, never sharpened to a point. While I appreciate that even the flat edge could do some damage, is it common to sharpen ice skates to an edge that could actually slice open skin?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

is it common to sharpen ice skates to an edge that could actually slice open skin?

Yes. Hockey skates have a two edged blade...with a slightly concave center groove that runs the length of the blade. Very sharp.

[rlmorel]

Oh yes. They may look like they are flat on the bottom but when viewed head on, actually look like this (looking head on at the blade as the skate is held upside down):

I played goalie, so I had the least concavity, but even mine, when sharpened to a fine edge could easily cut.