Friesland speed skates (3)
Fig.1: Friesland speed skates, around 1915
 This model was called 'wooden Norwegian' as the platforms made them look like the Norwegian ice skates with their in tubes mounted runner blades. Some manufacturers proudly called them 'Friesland Norwegians'. They were designed by a mr. A. Stheemann. It is likely that he also has been inspired by the design of American speed skates that became known in Europe thanks to the popular international speed skating championships at the end of the 19th century. They were developed based on the model that is shown in figure 2. He designed a functional product without any unnecessary detail. The curls were skipped (detail 1a) and the runner blades extended far behind the heel (detail 1b). These skates have modelled platforms for optimal contact between shoe and skates. The skates lost all of their gracefulness and became a very functional product. Skates of this model have been produced and sold in the Netherlands until around 1965.

Manufacturer: Royal A.K. Hoekstra & Co., Warga
Mark: detail 1c
Technical data: total length: 41.5 cm; height over ice: 3.5 cm; platforms: 28 cm long, 6 cm wide;
runner blades: 18 mm tall, 2 mm thick; weight: 325 g
 
Fig.2:Friesland speed skates, around 1900
This model has been designed especially for serious speed skaters. The were based on the model of the extended Friesland skates. The traditional runner blades were made longer by extending them both at the front and at the rear. This pair still has a medium height tip; later models had noses that were not taller than the platform itself. Contact between boot sand skates was improved greatly by modelling the platforms to the boot bottoms.

Manufacturer: G.S. Ruiter, Akkrum
Mark: detail 2

Technical data:
total length: 46 cm; height over ice: 3 cm;
platforms 30 cm long, 6.5 cm wide;
runner blades: 14 mm tall, 2.7 mm thick;
weight: 330 g
 

Fig.3: Friesland speed skates, around 1960
 These skates have wooden platforms and runner blades fitted into tubular metal frames like the Norwegian speed skates. They therefore are called 'Combi Norwegians'. This model can be considered the last attempt of the traditional Dutch skates making industry to cope with the competition of the Norwegian model. It did not work out. Though many serious skaters think this model represents the best wooden skates ever made they lost the battle. Around 1965 almost all manufacturers of traditional ice skates closed their doors.

Manufacturer: J. Nooitgedagt & Zn, IJlst.
Mark: detail 3

technical data:
total length: 45 cm; height over ice: 4.6 cm;
platforms: 30 cm long, 6.5 cm wide;
runner blades: 25 mm tall, 1.7 mm thick;
weight: 435 g
 
 

detail 1a

detail 1b

detail 1c
 
 

detail 3
 
 
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