Tuning/Detuning- How to Bevell The Base Edges Of Your Skis

Bevelling The Base edges

The first thing is to check for edge damage, rust and / or hardened areas. (Hardened areas are blue / black in colour.) These areas need to be filed out, rust filed off and damage filed smooth. Care needs to be taken to avoid excessive hollowing out on just one side.
Work in the tip to tail direction with long, firm, uniform strokes.
The next step is to bevel the base edge at 0.5° - 2° to the base by using the Base File Control of the desired angle. See below.
This will allow the ski to 'rock' from edge to edge allowing quicker and smoother edge changes.
Use a rubber block to polish the edge and remove any burrs left by the file.


Recommendations for the degree of bevel used:
< 1° - for more precise & very fast edge changing - most aggressive
1° - 1.5° - for precise edge changing - aggressive & for 'shaped' skis**
2° - 3° - for tips and tails only on non-shaped skis and snowboards - see later
and for use in the 'terrain park' on the rails. A large bevel will help to keep the edges from damage from the rails.

** Shaped Skis - The optimum base edge bevel has been found to be 1° with the side edge at 88°. The ski needs to be kept sharp from tip to tail.

Bevelling the Side Edges
Place the ski into the vice on its side. We will work on one side at a time.
The first thing is to check for edge damage, rust and / or hardened areas. (Hardened areas are blue / black in colour.) These areas need to be filed out, rust filed off and damage filed smooth.
Work in the tip to tail direction with long, firm, uniform strokes.
The next step is to bevel the side edge using the File Holder of the desired angle.
Use a rubber block to polish the edge and remove any burrs left by the file.
Repeat this process with the other edge.



Determining the Side Angle The usual method for determining the angle of the side edge is to choose an angle, which combined with the base bevel angle makes a 90° edge: i.e. if the base is bevelled at 1° then the side is to be bevelled at 89°.


Determining Edge Sharpness Recommendations for 'edge sharpness':
90+° - for less edge bite - least aggressive
89° - recommended sharpness
88° to 89° - for more edge bite - more aggressive
< 88° - not recommended unless seriously racing




When the edge is at the desired angle we now need to lessen the 'edge sharpness' of the tip and tail of the ski or board to prevent it catching in the snow.
With a 'shaped' ski the optimum base edge bevel is 1° - 1.5° with the side edge at 88°. The ski needs to be kept SHARP from tip to tail as it is these areas which do all of the work in the turn.

We recommend either of two methods for 'non-shaped' skis and snowboards:

OPTION 1: Round off the tip 5 - 10 cm back and the tail 2 - 5cm forward with either a file, a carborundum stone or a rubber dressing block.
This is the least aggressive alternative and will allow the ski to 'come out of the turn' more easily than option 2.

OPTION 2: Keep the same angle on the edge and base all the way to the tip and the tail. Using a rubber dressing block lightly round off the tip and tail around 2 cm back from the contact points of the curve.
The ski or board will carve easier and for a greater period of the turn.
Ideal for racing and carving all turns.