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May, 2025

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Ski tuning questions

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RadiosTits
Posts: 4 - Karma: 38
Hi, I'd like to start tuning my (and my family's) skis myself, but I read a lot of different opinions online and it's hard to discern what the basics are that are good enough for someone like me. I only have 1 pair of skis (2020 K2 Poacher) and I'd consider myself an advanced skier. I typically ski 2-3 weeks a year in the European alps and I do 20% freestyle (rails, jumps), 50% piste and 20% powder.


At which side edge angle should I tune my ski's? Some people say 88° and some people say 89°. I don't want to hook up too much when doing 360's or rails/boxes, but I like to carve as well.
Should I tune my base edge angle? I read that I can do more harm than good by touching the bases with a file. If so, how can I do it the easiest / most common way?
How often should I tune them (with a file) and how often should I just sharpen them using the diamond file? Is there a difference? What about base grind at ski shop?
Should I detune underfoot because I will do some rails? Or should I just not tune my ski's underfoot?
What side edge angle should I tune the volkl racetiger ski's of my brother, who is an intermediate on-piste skier?
What essential ski tuning gear should I buy? I heard the multi-angle plastic tuners (e.g. Toko edge tuner) are quite inconsistent.

Thanks in advance!
5 months ago
5 0
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,820
@DominatorJacques
5 months ago
3 2
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Schoess
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25,537
There's a lot to answer here... I'll try and hit a few key points.

At which side edge angle should I tune my ski's? Some people say 88° and some people say 89°.


Should I tune my base edge angle? Yes


I read that I can do more harm than good by touching the bases with a file. If so, how can I do it the easiest / most common way? You buy a base edge file guide, along with 2-3 files in varying grits. The goal is to work your way up in grits until you're basically polishing the edges. The rougher ones will give you the initial cut and the finer ones will finish things up nicely


How often should I tune them (with a file) and how often should I just sharpen them using the diamond file? Whenever it's needed. Could be once a season, could be once a week. Most likely you will just want to touch them up every 5-10 times you ski to keep them in tip top shape, but that number can vary almost infinitely

Is there a difference? Diamond files come in various grits. Get a rough one and a "bastard" file or a "cutting" file to start with. You can always go finer grit on the diamond files but even the swix rough ones are still great for everyday skiing.

What about base grind at ski shop? Base grinds can be done at home with a belt sander, but you can't re structure a base without expensive equipment. It's best to leave the base grind/structure to a shop with the right equipment for the most part. You shouldn't need a base grind unless you're constantly fucking up your bases.

Should I detune underfoot because I will do some rails? Yes, a good detune and polish will help prevent edge cracks and make the ski last longer. It will also make the ski slide more consistently on rails

What side edge angle should I tune the volkl racetiger ski's of my brother, who is an intermediate on-piste skier? There's 2 factors here. Base angle and side angle. Both have different effects and you want to understand what each does. From the factory, race skis come with like a .2 degree base angle and a 90 degree side angle. How much you alter those to fit your needs is up to you. Start with 1 degree on the base (very aggro setup but you can always go more later) and try 89 on the side edge. Remember... YOU CAN ALWAYS GO MORE IF YOU WANT. It's important to understand what altering either of those will do. The more angle on the side edge, the more the ski will feel like a knife. It effectively makes them sharper and you'll have a harder time sliding them around. The base edge will feel really grabby with a low base edge angle and won't be ideal for anything other than racing. If you increase that angle off of the snow, the ski will feel more relaxed and playful. It gives you more margin on when you want to engage the edge.

What essential ski tuning gear should I buy?

For waxing, sharpening and base repair I would buy a good iron, scraper, brush set (brass, horse hair and nylon), scraper sharpener, side edge file guide (adjustable), base edge file guide (adjustable), a cutting file, a diamond file (rough grit which is still very fine), clear and black ptex, and a few spray bottles from home depot. You will use the spray bottles for water and water/windex mixtures to lubricate the files when cutting edges. You can use 91% isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel for a poor mans base cleaner when waxing.
5 months ago
7 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25,537
Here are some photos of what I was recommending. This is my current setup and I feel pretty dangerous with it.












5 months ago
6 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25,537
I want to add a few things. I would also buy a gummy stone for touch ups and deburring. Add a wire brush for cleaning the files too. The scraper sharpener I have is the Swix Pro which is like $50 I think but it's worth it IMO. Swix makes most of the shit you are looking for, but there are other brands as well. The pocket stone I have I used to use for de rusting, but I would use my file guides with a polishing stone to remove rust now.
5 months ago
7 0
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RadiosTits
Posts: 4 - Karma: 38
SchoessI want to add a few things. I would also buy a gummy stone for touch ups and deburring. Add a wire brush for cleaning the files too. The scraper sharpener I have is the Swix Pro which is like $50 I think but it's worth it IMO. Swix makes most of the shit you are looking for, but there are other brands as well. The pocket stone I have I used to use for de rusting, but I would use my file guides with a polishing stone to remove rust now.


Thanks a lot for your detailed answer. You said 1 degree base angle is an aggressive setup, but isn't this quite common in most recreational ski's? Still somewhat confused what at what edge bevels the average all mountain skier is skiing.

+ Will it be ok if I just touch the bases up with a fine diamond stone (and leaving the base angle as it is?) and just tune the sides?

Last question: Do you use 1 soft gummy stone to prep the edges before tuning and the same one afterwards to finish the edges? Or do you use a harder one and a softer one for different purposes?
5 months ago
1 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25,537
RadiosTitsThanks a lot for your detailed answer. You said 1 degree base angle is an aggressive setup, but isn't this quite common in most recreational ski's? Still somewhat confused what at what edge bevels the average all mountain skier is skiing.

+ Will it be ok if I just touch the bases up with a fine diamond stone (and leaving the base angle as it is?) and just tune the sides?

Last question: Do you use 1 soft gummy stone to prep the edges before tuning and the same one afterwards to finish the edges? Or do you use a harder one and a softer one for different purposes?


I think most average skiers are on like a 1.25 to 1.5 degree base edge setup but I could be wrong.

When you say touch up the bases with a stone, I'm assuming you mean the edges. You don't use stones on P-tex. That being said, yeah you can just touch up whatevver base edge is already set. I would use a gummy stone for that, just rub it in and watch the blemishes slowly fade away.

I don't prep edges with a gummy stone. If im cutting edges, the only prep I do is spraying it down with water with a bit of windex added. You want to keep the file wet at all times when cutting. The gummy stone is nice for after cutting an edge to de-burr the actual knife edge you just created. it's the least invasive way to remove a bit of material and either polish or de-burr
5 months ago
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turntable
Posts: 2734 - Karma: 845
you would really enjoy 1.5 base and 2 side.

any base bevel tool works, you can watch the sidecut youtube videos to learn how.

I only use 2 base for park skis, 1.5 makes more sense for your do it all.

1.5 base has way more freeride all mtn feeling that you are describing than 1 base. It's really good. You can run the gummy stone on tips/tails 2-3 times to detune slightly.
5 months ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Tuning a ski for boxes and rails is totally different than tuning for carving etc.

There isn't a one size fits all.
5 months ago
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