To enjoy skiing, maintaining your skis is extremely important. Waxing and grinding is essential for a safe and comfortable descent in the snow. Not only on, but also off the slopes. You can have this done, but you can also easily do it yourself at home. Of course we understand that you have questions about this. The answer to how to sharpen skis yourself can be found on this page.
Sharpening skis is extremely important. Ground steel edges not only perform better, but also provide better edge grip on hard, icy slopes. Of course you can choose to bring your skis, but you can also easily do it yourself. On this page we tell you everything about how to sharpen your skis yourself.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SKI SHARPENING
The wax layer on the base (the bottom of the ski) also does not last forever, you often want a fresh layer of wax after 3 to 4 days. Wax improves the gliding ability of the ski and ensures that the base does not dry out. Your skis won’t perform well without it. You don’t want to feel like your skis are slowing down or ‘sticking’ to the snow while skiing. Waxing is not difficult at all. However, there are a number of points that you should pay attention to.
WHY SHOULD YOU SHARPEN YOUR SKIS?
An important part of maintaining your ski equipment is sharpening skis. The steel edges of skis (the iron edge) provide good edge grip and better steering on snowy or icy slopes. When skis are properly sharpened, they perform better and offer more safety. You benefit from well-sharpened skis, especially on hard, icy slopes. Not only will you be a lot more confident on the slopes, you will also ski much better.
The steel edges wear easily. Hard snow and ice in particular quickly cause dull steel edges. So to benefit from sharp steel edges again and again, it is important to sharpen skis regularly. You can have this done, but you can also easily do it yourself at home.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SHARPEN YOUR SKIS?
In general, after a week of winter sports, only 40% of the original sharpness remains. Ideally, you should have your skis sharpened after every week of winter sports. Do you ski on hard, icy slopes all week? Then it may happen that it is necessary to sharpen your skis sooner. You will notice this, among other things, in the steering and grip of the ski in the snow. If you are in doubt, you can always check with a local rental or ski maintenance company.
THE BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Sharpening your own skis has several advantages. You save money, the edges last longer and you can also determine the angle yourself. We explain all the benefits to you below.
1. Sharpen your own skis = save money
Sharpening your own skis sounds exciting, but it’s not that bad. Of course, practice makes perfect. If you choose to sharpen your skis yourself, you will quickly save on costs. Of course you have to purchase materials, but you will get the money back after a few treatments. To give you an idea, we have listed the costs.
- Costs for a simple wax and grinding set (via Volawax.nl): € 159.95 + clamp set € 59.99. This set is good for 16 waxing/sharpening sessions. Then you have to replace/supplement a number of materials. That amounts to € 13.75 per sharpening.
- Costs of sharpening skis at a company: on average you pay €30 for maintenance. For 16 pairs of skis you pay €480. Count your winnings!
2. Edges last longer
Many companies sharpen mechanically. The machine does not take the condition of the steel edge into account, which often results in too much grinding away. If you do this yourself, you can take this into account and adjust the sharpening method.
3. You determine the angle yourself
The steel edges of the ski can be sharpened to different angles. Many people don’t know this, but that angle affects the grip in the snow. Typically this angle is between 85º and 90º, depending on your skiing level. For example, a sporty skier wants sharper edges than a beginner. If you sharpen yourself, you can determine the angle yourself.
SUPPLIES FOR SHARPENING SKIS YOURSELF
To sharpen your skis yourself, you need a number of parts. We list them below.
- Clamp set
- 2 elastics
- Edge tool (optional)
- Clamp (if necessary)
- Gloves
- Edge grinder (pro or racing corner)
- Diamond file 200 or 400 (optional: 600 and 1000)
- File
- Cleaning brush
- Felt tip pen
- Gummy
SKI SHARPENING IN STEPS
Step 1: Place the skis on top of the clamp set and make sure they are completely dry. Now hook the elastics around the ski stoppers over the back of the bindings, so that they do not get in the way while sharpening.
Step 2: Now attach one of the skis on its side in the outer two clamps. Make sure that the steel side is up and that the base is facing away from you.
Step 3: Feel along the steel edge for burrs. These are small strokes in the steel side of the ski. If this is the case, the steel side will not feel smooth. Remove any burrs with a 200 or 400 diamond file. If necessary, you can repeat this process with a 600 or 1000 diamond file.
Step 4: Use the edge tool to remove a small piece of the side. This ensures that the steel side of the ski is well exposed during sharpening. If you don’t do this, there is a chance that you will not get the right angle.
Step 5: Set the correct angle with the edge grinder. The most common angles are 89° and 88°. Then place the file at the correct angle and clamp it securely with a clamp (if necessary). Take a felt-tip pen and mark it in various places on the steel edge so that you can check whether the steel edge is being sharpened sufficiently.
Step 6: Place the corner of the file against the base so that the file rests on the steel side. Your other hand will rest firmly on the file. Run the file along the steel side and work from front to back. Do this with long, even strokes. In between, feel with your nail whether the steel edge becomes sharper. If any chalk remains on your nail, the ski is sharp enough. It is important that you remove the swarf from the ski with a dustpan in between.
Step 7: Now run the diamond file along the steel edge to remove the last grinding burrs. Do the bottom of the steel side first and then the side.
Step 8: Finally, use the rubber to blunt the steel edge where the ski comes up at the back and front. Depending on your skiing level, you can always blunt the ski further.
Repeat steps 1 to 8 for the other side of the ski.
WAXING ALSO VERY IMPORTANT
In addition to sharpening, waxing skis is also an important part of ski equipment. Skis that are properly waxed and sharpened perform better on and off the slopes. There are all kinds of pores in the base of the ski (the bottom). If you don’t wax your skis, those pores will remain open and snow can stick to the bottom of the ski. You can prevent this effect by waxing. Wax doesn’t last forever and that’s why you need to reapply it regularly. You can have this done, but you can also do it yourself. It is not difficult at all and you will also save a lot of money.