I haven't gone kiting since April and am really feeling the itch. Hope winter comes real soon. Looking at videos, I came across this. Really wonder how beneficial it would be.

Perfect timing , I'm just about to look at edge files, my cheap ones are both worn and akward to use , this might be much easier.

... you know you're only supposed to take off as much thickness as a line of Sharpie? :o

Kami you have'nt seen the wrecks I'm riding and besides it's a power tool ... some guys (like me) just can't resist.

We use the sharpie for a guide to gauge that you get the full edge. Sometimes you have to go a little heavy if you have a substantial dings etc. Doesn't happen too often on the ice tho.:D

One of the guys we ride with has this set up. He likes it, does a great job in a pinch and quick.

Seems like a nice tool for the easy, maintenance tune, but I still like my files and the smell of melted wax when I tune the skis for the whole family on some pre-December afternoon.

I love moving from my mill bastard files to my diamond file to my wet stone and just feeling that edge come together. Though I was thinking last year that I could use some new files and love the ceramic and diamond edging tools they have these days.

This is a bit OT but what do you guys think about those handheld edge sharpening tools. I've never sharpened mine before and I'm not sure what kind of tool I should use.
I've read about the different angles and their affect on the turning, etc. of the skis, but again, I'm not sure what to do.

They are carving skis and the edges are somewhat non-existent after ~1500km's last season.

Hand held tuning tools are pretty useful. You can get them with variable edge angles or fixed edge angles. Some do both base edges and side edges, some do just one or the other.

If you aren't tuning a lot. The basic consumer tuning tool from Swix, Dakine or half a dozen other brands will get the job done. Many modern shape skis run between 2-3deg side edge. Good basic edge angles would be 2deg side edge, 1deg base edge. This will give you good results without being too specialized or requiring a lot of refresh tuning. With the level of neglect you've put your planks through, best to get them tuned in a shop and then just use the handheld to keep the edges fresh.

Remember, the sharper the edge the faster it dulls. 3deg side on hard ice used aggressively needs a retune in about 30-40 minutes. Days like that it's best to carry the tuning gear and be able to tune in the field. 2 degree will give you about 80% of the edging ability with 50% of the tuning hassle IMO.

The tune that I put on my kite skis would be deadly on the slopes. But I have a kite now, I don't bother with the slopes.

Quote: Originally posted by snowspider

... besides it's a power tool ... some guys (like me) just can't resist.

DITTO ! !