Grinding ski edges | Which angle?

Adjusting the angle of the ski edge grinding machine ES 2000 from raze-cat

When grinding the side edges of skis, the question of the correct angle often arises. Especially for beginners in the ski service sector, it is very important to think carefully about the correct angle before grinding the skis.

Grinding ski edges – Why?

Why is it important to think about the angle of the edges? Depending on the grinding angle, the ski will behave differently. In the past, a ski had a standard edge of 90°. By grinding the side edge, you make the ski more aggressive because the edge becomes sharper. This allows it to grip the snow or ice better, and control of the ski improves considerably. In general, you can say that the handling becomes more aggressive as the angle decreases. The most important reason for grinding the edges of the skis is safety. Who hasn't experienced this? You are skiing down a slope, and suddenly you come to a shady forest area. There is a sheet of ice and the skis immediately slide off. In such a situation, you can fall very quickly. This is especially true in ski areas, where artificial snow is often used. This can be prevented by always making sure that the edges of the skis are ground so that they have the best possible grip on the slope. This not only improves the driving experience, but also increases safety.

What angle does my edge have?

If you are not sure what angle your edge on your ski or snowboard has, you should measure it. This is not easy because you have very little material available for measuring the side edge of the ski or snowboard. That is why we have developed an angle gauge that is fine but still handy enough to measure the angle of the ski edge and snowboard edge. By knowing your edge angle, you can make sure to maintain the existing angle when servicing your skis. If you decide to go for a different angle, you can use the angle gauge to check whether the new angle is present on the edge and, if necessary, re-sharpen it.

TO THE ANGLE GAUGE

Which angle for which type of ride?

Of course, the individual characteristics of the driver influence the decision about the angle of the side edge. This is the reason why professional racers also have their own personal service staff. Since the ski service in the ski resort is often unable to meet such individual needs, this is the main reason for carrying out the ski service yourself.

89° - This angle means only a slight back grinding of the edge and is suitable for children's skis and beginners
88° - This angle is particularly suitable for advanced skiers as it allows you to ski on the edge with less effort
87° - This angle is suitable for sporty skiers with more skiing experience. The sharper edge makes it easier to make turns, but requires more strength and technique. The sharper edge means the edge grips the snow/ice better
86° - This angle is often chosen by racers. Depending on the discipline, the sharper edge can be used to gain an advantage during the race

The rule of thumb is: the more experienced and faster the skier, the smaller the edge angle can be. The sharper the angle, the better the grip on hard slopes. This makes the ski more aggressive and gives it more grip, which increases safety.

There are different tools that you can use to give your edges an individual angle. There are two things to consider when choosing. Fixed or adjustable angles? Sanding by hand or electrically?
We have developed various products for this purpose. With the electrically operated ES 2000PLUS, you can set individual angles. If you decide to file by hand, you can choose between the CF-4, which also allows you to set the four angles described above, or the FG100, which is a fixed angle.

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