Modern Friesland ice skates
At the change from the 19th to the 20th century the ice skates with curls disappeared as a result of the industrial revolution. At first the three dimensional forced curls were replaced by punched two dimensional ones. In the Netherlands these two dimensional curls were called Wichers-de Salis curls but abroad they were known as Salchow curls. The Dutch name was connected with the names of two officials of the young Dutch Skating Union, Mr. Buttingha Wichers and Baron de Salis, who probably picked up the idea during one of their international journeys. Salchow was a famous Swedish figure skater at that time. Later the naked curls were covered with wood for better support of the vulnerable sheet metal prow. Thus the Holland curled ice skates, the Holland ice skates and the Friesland ice skates merged and a new type of ice skate was born. These ice skates were called Friesland ice skates with wooden curls and extended runner blades but a more generally name like Dutch ice skates maybe would have been a better idea.
 Holland ice skates with curls |
 Holland ice skates with Salchow curls and extended runner blades |
 Friesland ice skates with wooden curls and extended runner blades |
This type of ice skates was manufactured and used widely in the Netherlands until the sixties of the 20th century. And even in the 21st century they are still sold for use by very young children but these ice skates come from emerging countries. Older Dutch children use ice skates with plastic platforms and straps nowadays. But as soon as they have a will of their own they will ask for a pair of modern speed, hockey or figure skates as a birthday present... and get it.
 modern ice skate with plastic platform |