How do ski manufacturers deal with the pushing and pulling effect that happens to the edges when the ski flexes?

I’m not to sure what you mean but metal is malleable and flexible and most of the flex would be long ways anyway

LilBenjiWopI’m not to sure what you mean but metal is malleable and flexible and most of the flex would be long ways anyway

I think if the ski edges were at the center of the ski they wouldnt experience tension, but at the bottom of the ski they must experience some tension when the ski flexes the opposite direction of the camber. Think of breaking a cookie into two pieces, pushing down on the center. The bottom of the cookie (where the skis edges would be) experiences tension before cracking.

So there must be some pushing and pulling that occurs on a skis edges when the ski flexes.

Im wondering how ski manufacturers deal with this problem.

Simply put, the construction process has to allow for materials to shear. This is the cracking sound you hear when you flex a brand new ski.

onenerdykidSimply put, the construction process has to allow for materials to shear. This is the cracking sound you hear when you flex a brand new ski.

Ive never heard a cracking sound flexing a new ski. Wouldnt a cracking sound indicate a problem or a weakness?

DolanReloadedIve never heard a cracking sound flexing a new ski. Wouldnt a cracking sound indicate a problem or a weakness?

Then that means someone flexed the ski before you (which is common in shops because it scares the customers- they think something is wrong, so the staff do it first). All brand new skis do this.

onenerdykidThen that means someone flexed the ski before you (which is common in shops because it scares the customers- they think something is wrong, so the staff do it first). All brand new skis do this.

Interesting. So is the cracking sound coming from the edge sliding a little bit or is it something else?

DolanReloadedInteresting. So is the cracking sound coming from the edge sliding a little bit or is it something else?

Basically all of the layers of the ski are shearing in some amount. As you flex a ski, its layers will have to move otherwise the ski would crack instantly.

A thermoplastic rubber typically called "VDS" in technical descriptions. Its in every single pair of skis next to the edge. Usually black or tan in color if you look closely at your skis...