kbroderick
Active member
Back on the original subject, I'd stay the heck away from the all-in-one pieces of crap recommended above. They do not do an adequate job, nevermind more-than-adequate. In addition to simply not being as effective as a good file guide, the plastic doesn't always hold angles as well as a machined piece of metal will...so your 2' side / 1' base tune may actually be 1/1 or 3/1 any given day of the week. It would be nice if they did work--they are convenient to use, and they're inexpensive--but they simply don't work effectively. If you compare the results from an all-in-one tool (whether the SkiVisions one, or the side-edge-only tools sold by various folks, including MountainTek) to the results using a file guide, you should be able to feel the difference (both when checking the edges and when skiing on them).
In reality, a sidewall planer, 2' side bevel guide, spring clamp, 8" or 6" chrome file, diamond stone, and ceramic stone will take care of 95% of your edge maintenance needs. The only time I deal with base edges is after a stone grind, and I'll usually ask the shop that does the grind to set an appropriate base bevel (.5 or .7 degrees, which is usually as flat as they can get; if you need a little more wiggle room, 1 degree is okay but will substantially decrease the effective edge angle with the same body position). The sidewall planer doesn't need to be used often, but it's extremely necessary to remove sidewall whenever your file or stone starts riding on the sidewall of the ski rather than cutting edge material; otherwise, it will get pulled away from the file guide and start dulling the edge rather than sharpening it. Ancillary tools include brake retainers of some sort, a first aid kit, a stereo, and a cold fridge.
It also helps if you can make tuning a regular--I can tune a pair of skis that are in good shape but starting to dull in 15-25 minutes; if it's been 10 or 15 ski days and rocks have gotten involved, it can easily take 90-120 minutes.
In reality, a sidewall planer, 2' side bevel guide, spring clamp, 8" or 6" chrome file, diamond stone, and ceramic stone will take care of 95% of your edge maintenance needs. The only time I deal with base edges is after a stone grind, and I'll usually ask the shop that does the grind to set an appropriate base bevel (.5 or .7 degrees, which is usually as flat as they can get; if you need a little more wiggle room, 1 degree is okay but will substantially decrease the effective edge angle with the same body position). The sidewall planer doesn't need to be used often, but it's extremely necessary to remove sidewall whenever your file or stone starts riding on the sidewall of the ski rather than cutting edge material; otherwise, it will get pulled away from the file guide and start dulling the edge rather than sharpening it. Ancillary tools include brake retainers of some sort, a first aid kit, a stereo, and a cold fridge.
It also helps if you can make tuning a regular--I can tune a pair of skis that are in good shape but starting to dull in 15-25 minutes; if it's been 10 or 15 ski days and rocks have gotten involved, it can easily take 90-120 minutes.
