Automatic blade holder

A computer-implemented method of operating an ice skate blade sharpening apparatus having a blade holder with lateral holding parts at least one of which being movable relative to the other, the method comprising:

• causing a motor to move at least one of the lateral holding parts relative to the other to grip a set of ice skate blades placed therebetween;
• monitoring a torque or force generated by the motor;
• upon determining that the torque or force generated by the motor has reached a threshold torque value or threshold force value, determining a gripping gap between the lateral holding parts;
• determining a number of ice skate blades in the set based at least in part on the gripping gap;
• and
• outputting the determined number of ice skate blades via a user interface or storing the determined number of ice skate blades in a memory.