Edge tuning - Which edge angle suits you the best?
Adjusting the grinding angle for the edge grinder ES 2000
When tuning skis, often times the right angle is at question. Especially for beginners at ski tuning it is very important to think about the right angle of the ski edge.
Tuning and sharpening the side edges – why?
Why is it important to think about tuning one’s ski or snowboard edges in the right angle? Depending on each angle, the ski or snowboard has a different handling. In the early days, skis had a ninety-degree angle by default. The ski will get more aggressive through relief-grinding of the side edge. This helps the edge to have grip in the snow or ice. Therefore, the control over the ski or snowboard gets much better. Generally speaking, will a ski get more aggressive the smaller the angle gets. The greatest reason for sharp edges is security. Who doesn’t know this situation: you are riding a slope and through a shady little woodland. You slide over an icy patch and your skis loose grip from the surface. In such a situation a crash or a fall can happen very fast. Especially in ski resorts where artificial snow is installed, this can be a problem. You can prevent this by ensuring that your ski edges are always properly sharpened. That way you’re having more skiing fun and more safety at the same time!
What is the angle of my edge?
If you are not sure what angle your ski or snowboard edge has, you should measure it. This is not easy, because you have very little material for measuring the side edge of the ski or snowboard. That is why we have developed an angle gauge that is fine yet handy enough to measure the angle of the ski edge and snowboard edge. By knowing your edge angle, you can take care to maintain the existing angle when servicing your skis. If you decide to use a different angle, you can use the angle gauge to check whether the new angle is on the edge and regrind if necessary.
Which edge angle for which skiing level?
Of course, individual skills and characteristics of the skier have to be accounted when deciding over the angle of the side edge. That is the reason why professional skiers have a whole ski service team on their own. But the ski workshop in a ski resort cannot account your characteristics most of the time. This is the main reason why you should do the ski servicing yourself. This includes the sharpening of your ski or snowboard edges.
- 89° - This angle means only slight relief-grinding of the edge and is suitable for kids and newbies to skiing.
- 88° - This angle is suitable most for advanced skiers, because you will need less effort to ski on the side edge.
- 87° – This angle of the edge is suitable for athletic skiers with more skiing experience. Because of the sharper edge, curves can be skied even better. But more effort and technique are required to ski this angle.
- 86° - This angle is often used by professional ski racers. Depending on the discipline, slight differences in the angle of the edge, can give the racer a little advantage in a race.
Note: The more experienced a skier is, the smaller can be the angle of the side edge. Smaller angles lead to more grip on the course and therefore more safety.
There are different tools which you can use to give your edges an individual angle. There are two things to consider when choosing. Fixed or adjustable angles? Grinding by hand or by electric power?
We have developed various products for this purpose. With the electrically operated ES 2000 you can set individual angles. If you decide to file by hand, you have the choice between the CF-4, which also has the four angles described above, or the FG100, which is a fixed angle.
SHOW GRINDING TOOLS
We have developed various products for this purpose. With the electrically operated ES 2000 you can set individual angles. If you decide to file by hand, you have the choice between the CF-4, which also has the four angles described above, or the FG100, which is a fixed angle.
SHOW GRINDING TOOLS
