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How to Keep Your Snowboard’s Edges Sharp and Deadly
Snowboarding is an exciting and challenging sport that requires skill, courage, and gear. One of the most important parts of your gear is your snowboard, which supports your weight, helps you glide on the snow, and allows you to control your speed and direction. However, even the best snowboard can lose its edge over time, especially if you ride frequently on different types of terrain, such as groomed runs, ice patches, and powder fields. When your snowboard’s edges become dull or worn, you may experience difficulties in carving, turning, and stopping, and even risks of injury or accidents. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to keep your board’s edges sharp and deadly. In this blog post, we will share some tips and tricks to help you maintain your snowboard’s edges and improve your riding experience.
1. Understand the Anatomy of Your Snowboard’s Edges
Before you start sharpening your snowboard’s edges, you need to know what you are dealing with. The edges of a snowboard are the metal strips that run along its sides, from the nose to the tail, and that come into contact with the snow when you ride. The edges have two main parts: the steel edge itself, which is sharp and durable, and the base edge bevel, which is the angle at which the steel edge meets the snow. The bevel angle can vary depending on the manufacturer and the model of the snowboard, but it is usually between 0 and 3 degrees. The base edge bevel affects the edge grip, the turn initiation, and the responsiveness of the snowboard, so it is important to choose the right angle for your riding style and preferences. A steeper angle (less than 1 degree) gives you more edge grip and control, but it may make your board harder to turn or maneuver. A shallower angle (more than 1 degree) makes your board easier to turn and ride on soft snow, but it may reduce your edge grip and stability on hard snow or ice. If you are not sure which base edge bevel angle to use, you can consult the manufacturer’s recommendations or ask an experienced snowboard technician.
2. Inspect Your Snowboard’s Edges Regularly
To keep your snowboard’s edges sharp and deadly, you need to know when they need sharpening, and when they need repairing or replacing. You can inspect your board’s edges by running your fingers along them, and feeling for any nicks, burrs, or flat spots. Nicks are small dents or chips in the steel edge that can affect its sharpness and durability. Burrs are tiny metal flakes that stick out from the edge and can scratch or cut your gloves, clothes, or skin. They are usually caused by hitting rocks, rails, or objects on the snow. Flat spots are areas where the steel edge is worn down or rounded, and can reduce your edge grip and responsiveness. They are usually caused by riding on hard or icy snow, or by improper storage or transportation. If you find any of these signs of damage on your snowboard’s edges, you should address them as soon as possible, to prevent further damage and to maintain your edge performance.
3. Sharpen Your Snowboard’s Edges with the Right Tools and Techniques
Sharpening your snowboard’s edges is not rocket science, but it does require some skill and knowledge. You can use a variety of tools and techniques to sharpen your edges, depending on your preferences and budget. Here are some common tools and techniques for edge sharpening:
– Hand files: These are simple metal files with coarse and fine sides, that you can use to remove nicks and burrs from your edges, and to shape the bevel angle. They are cheap, portable, and easy to use, but they require some practice to achieve consistent results. To use a hand file, you need to clamp your snowboard securely, choose the right angle for your bevel, and make smooth and even strokes along the edge, using both hands and applying moderate pressure. You should start with the coarse side and finish with the fine side, and avoid overheating the edge, which can damage the base material. You should also clean the edge with a brush or cloth, and apply wax or oil to protect it after sharpening.
– Edge sharpeners: These are mechanical devices that have a rotating disc or belt with abrasive material, that you can use to grind and polish your edges. They are faster, more precise, and more consistent than hand files, but they are also more expensive, heavier, and less portable. Edge sharpeners come in different sizes and shapes, and they may use different types of abrasive material, such as diamond, ceramic, or stone. To use an edge sharpener, you need to adjust the angle and the depth of the grinding, according to your bevel and the condition of your edge, and to pass your snowboard’s edge along the disc or belt, using both hands and applying moderate pressure. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines, and avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry, and using gloves. You should also clean and lubricate your edge sharpener frequently, and replace the discs or belts when they become worn or clogged.
– Tuning kits: These are kits that include multiple tools and supplies for edge sharpening, waxing, and repairing, and that come in a carrying case. They are convenient, versatile, and cost-effective, and can save you time and money in the long run. Tuning kits can include hand files, edge sharpeners, brushes, scrapers, wax, and repair sticks, among other items. To use a tuning kit, you need to familiarize yourself with each tool and its purpose, and to follow a sequence of steps for each tuning task. You can consult the included instructions or watch online tutorials for guidance. You should also store your tuning kit in a dry and cool place, and replenish the supplies as needed.
4. Maintain Your Snowboard’s Edges with Care and Common Sense
Keeping your snowboard’s edges sharp and deadly does not end with edge sharpening. You also need to maintain your edges with care and common sense, to avoid damaging them or dulling them prematurely. Here are some tips and tricks for edge maintenance:
– Avoid hitting rocks, trees, or other obstacles on the snow, as they can cause nicks, burrs, or cracks in your edges. If you cannot avoid them, try to ride over them with your board flat, rather than on edge, or jump over them if you have enough speed and clearance.
– Keep your snowboard’s edges dry and clean, especially after riding on wet or salty snow, as moisture and dirt can corrode or rust your edges. You can wipe your edges with a dry or slightly damp cloth, and dry them thoroughly before storing or transporting your board.
– Store and transport your snowboard carefully, to avoid bending or scratching your edges. You can use edge protectors, such as foam tubes or rubber bands, to cover your edges, and wrap your board in a bag or a towel, to cushion it.
– Wax your snowboard regularly, to protect your edges and keep them gliding smoothly on the snow. Waxing also helps to prevent dryness and chipping of your base material, and to enhance your board’s speed, durability, and lifespan. You can use any type of wax that matches your riding style and snow conditions, and apply it with a wax iron or a hot box, following the instructions of the wax manufacturer.
5. Seek Professional Help When Needed
If you feel that your snowboard’s edges are beyond your DIY skills, or if you need to fine-tune your base edge bevel, or if you want to upgrade your edge performance, you can seek professional help from a snowboard technician or a shop. A skilled and experienced technician can assess your snowboard’s edges, diagnose any problems, and suggest appropriate solutions, such as edge repair, edge replacement, base repair, or base grinding. They can also recommend the right bevel angle for your riding style and preferences, and use specialized tools and techniques to sharpen your edges to perfection. However, professional edge sharpening can be more expensive than DIY sharpening, and may require more time and planning, especially if you need to leave your board at the shop for a few days. Therefore, you should shop around for different prices and quality of services, and ask for referrals or reviews from other riders or friends.
Conclusion
Your snowboard’s edges are the key to your riding performance and safety, and they deserve your attention and care. By understanding the anatomy of your edges, inspecting them regularly, sharpening them with the right tools and techniques, maintaining them with care and common sense, and seeking professional help when needed, you can keep your snowboard’s edges sharp and deadly, and enjoy your snowboarding adventures with confidence and style. Have fun and ride safe!
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