Cardiff Skates expand by simply holding the back of the skate with one hand and pulling the front of the skate with the other. The skate will lock open with an audible click as the heel plate pops up. Then, the rider steps onto the skate with the foot straps undone or fully loosened.

Manual sharpening with a flat-file takes more skill and patience than other methods. However, it's one of the best ways to truly understand and master the art of sharpening. For this method, you'll need a jig to hold the skate in place, a flat sharpening stone, a needle file, and lubricant.