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Fig.1: Norwegian
speed skates, 3rd quarter 20th century Wholly metal ice skate without posts provided with tunnels for straps. Suitable for touring purposes. Manufacturer: Fa. L. Planting & Zonen, IJlst. Mark:  Technical data: total length: 44 x 7.5 x 3.5 cm; platform: length x width x height: 29 x 7.5 x 3.5 cm; blade: height x thickness: 12 x 1.5 mm; weight: 370 g. |
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Fig.2: Norwegian speed skate, 4th quarter 20th century |
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Fig.3: Norwegian speed skates, 4th quarter 20th century Low model (Viking Combi III) with special plastic boot with separate inner boot. Manufacturer: Viking, Almere Mark:  Technical data: not available |
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Fig.4: Norwegian speed skate, 4th quarter 20th century |
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Fig.5: Norwegian Speed skate, 4th quarter 20th century Low model (Zandstra Nylon Noor) with a plastic platform. These skates look very much like the traditional wooden Friesland speed skates with Norwegian influences. Manufacturer: Zandstra, Joure Mark:  Technical data: total length: 46 x 8 x 5.5 cm; platform: length x width x height: 29 x 8 x 5.5 cm; blade: height x thickness: 17 x 1.5 mm; weight: 800 g including boot. |
Norwegian speed skates
In the 4th quarter of the 19th century speed skating became a profession. In the Scandinavian countries, England, the USA and the Netherlands small groups of skaters existed that travelled the modern world to show their abilities. It must have been a kind of circus on ice with all that belong to it. They were the predecessors of the later great ice shows. The name of the American Jackson Haynes is inextricably bound on with this period. He brought artistical skating to Europe and inspired Scandinavians like Axel Paulsen and Harald Hagen. Both designed speed skates with blades supported by metal tubes and with boots permanently fixed to the platforms. They impressed everybody and set the standard for the time to come. After the nationality of their designers they were called Norwegian speed skates at the end of the 19th century already. Their design has appeared to be that good that it is still used by all present champions. Of course materials have been improved and the clapping mechanism became a new element, but the basic skate is still the same.
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