How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to sharpen snowboard edges is a valuable skill that will keep you and your board performing your best on the snow. Luckily, sharpening edges is easy to do if you have the proper tools and training. In this step-by-step guide about how to sharpen snowboard edges, we’ll discuss a variety of topics including:

• Why should you sharpen snowboard edges?
• How often should you sharpen snowboard edges?
• Anatomy of Snowboard Edges
• What tools do you need to sharpen snowboard edges?
• How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges: Step-by-step Instructions
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sharpening Snowboard Edges
• How to Detune Snowboard Edges: Step-by-step Instructions
• Finishing the Snowboard Edge Sharpening Process

Why should you sharpen snowboard edges?

The question: why should you sharpen snowboard edges, comes down to control. Dull snowboard edges make it difficult to control your board, especially on firm and icy slopes. However, sharp snowboard edges allow your board to carve into the snow, providing the stability and control needed to hold turns at speed and on firm surfaces. Controlled turns result in predictable snowboard behavior, letting you ride confidently and safely.

How often should you sharpen snowboard edges?

How often you sharpen your snowboard edges depends on a few different variables, like how often and where you ride. For instance, freestyle snowboarders who spend lots of time in the park, jibbing rails and boxes, may need to do more edge maintenance than the casual all-mountain rider. This is also true for backcountry splitboarders who encounter rocks, roots, and dirt. These riders may need to sharpen their edges more frequently too.

Pro tip: A good rule is to tune your edges whenever you perform a hot wax, which could be as frequently as every three riding days. Ultimately, your decision to sharpen your edges should be based on how your board is riding. If you don’t have the control that you want, show those edges some love.

Anatomy of Snowboard Edges

The edge of a snowboard is made up of two different surfaces; the sidewall edge, and the base edge. The bevel, or angle of these two surfaces can be different from one another, and this can vary from one snowboard manufacturer to the next. At Burton, all our snowboards (excluding kid’s snowboards) come from the factory with matching 89-degree bevels. This delivers a riding experience that is controlled yet forgiving, without the “grabby” feeling that you can get with a 90-degree bevel.

Pro tip: If you are a newer rider, we recommend maintaining Burton’s factory 89-degree bevel when you tune your edges. For more experienced riders, altering the bevel of your edges is a way to further refine the performance of your snowboard.

What tools do you need to sharpen snowboard edges?

Learning how to sharpen snowboard edges is not complicated, but you will need a selection of specific tools to get the job done. The good news is that none of these tools are too expensive. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. File: Files come in a variety of lengths and materials. Diamond files are long-lasting while steel files are less expensive. Files that are specifically made for tuning ski and snowboard edges are usually described by their number of teeth per centimeter (TPCM) but are also commonly referred to as coarse, medium, or fine.
2. File guide: A file guide holds your tuning file at a consistent angle against your snowboard edge (usually between 88-90 degrees). This is very important for achieving an even and consistent tuning of the snowboard’s edge. Some file guides are adjustable.
3. Gummy Stone: A gummy stone is a smooth-looking block of “stone” that is used to further refine and polish the edge of the snowboard after filing. Gummy stones are also a great tool to use independently between edge sharpening sessions, to remove superficial rust, burs, and other debris from the edge of the snowboard.
4. Clamp or snowboard tuning vices: Snowboard tuning vices mount to a solid surface, like a workbench, and hold your snowboard securely while you work on the edge. Conventional workshop vices can work in a pinch, but you’ll want to be extremely careful not to overtighten them, which could damage your snowboard.
5. Safety goggles & gloves: Last, but certainly not least, personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, is recommended to protect your eyes and fingers from microscopic metal shavings that tuning removes from your snowboard edges.

Pro tip: Having a variety of files (I.e., coarse, medium, and fine) will allow you to choose the appropriate tool to match the condition of your edges. The best practice is to remove as little metal as possible to achieve a sharp edge.

How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges: Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you’ve assembled your edge-tuning tools, it’s time to prepare your snowboard for sharpening. Secure your snowboard in your tuning vices and clean the edges using a rag and some citrus-based cleaner to remove any contamination and debris. This will fully expose any dings, or burs on your edges.

With your clean snowboard securely fastened in the tuning vices, you are ready to begin sharpening your edges. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

1. Put on your PPE: Wearing gloves and eye protection can prevent injury.
2. Sharpen base edges first: Align the file guide to the base edge of your snowboard, starting up at the widest part of the nose (front). Using long, smooth strokes, run the file from the widest part of the nose toward the widest part of the tail while applying gentle, consistent pressure. You will likely feel some resistance as you encounter burs or significant imperfections. You may need to make multiple passes with the file to work out big imperfections and get things nice and sharp. Count the number of passes that you make with the file. Repeat the process for the other base edge. Once you are done, wipe away any metal shavings using a damp rag.
3. Clean & polish the base edges with the gummy stone: Starting at the nose of the snowboard, run the gummy stone flatly against the base edge, applying gentle, consistent pressure. You will feel resistance as the gummy stone encounters imperfections along the edge. Repeat this 3-5 times. Repeat on the other base edge.
4. Sharpen the sidewall edges: Repeat the sharpening process, this time on the sidewall edges.
5. Clean & polish the sidewall edges with the gummy stone: Now clean up the sidewall edges with the gummy stone, following the same procedure as before.
6. Check edge sharpness: Finally, wipe both edges clean using a damp rag to remove any final metal shavings. Inspect the edges for any remaining burs or imperfections and address them with the file or gummy stone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Sharpening Snowboard Edges

While learning how to sharpen snowboard edges is relatively easy, there are a few common mistakes that you should be careful to avoid. These include:

• Using the wrong angle: It’s important that your file guide is matched to the angle of your snowboard edge. Make sure to review the details of your snowboard and ensure that your file guide is correctly matched to the bevel of your edges.
• Applying too much pressure: This can damage the snowboard edge and remove more metal than necessary. Avoid the temptation to press hard. Use gentle, consistent pressure.
• Over-sharpening: You should only make as many passes with the file as necessary to remove imperfections and metal burs. Excessive sharpening will reduce the usable life of your snowboard in the long run.

How to Detune Snowboard Edges: Step-by-Step Instructions

Detuning is the intentional rounding over or dulling of freshly sharpened snowboard edges. It might seem counterproductive to detune, given that you just sharpened the edges, however, freshly sharpened snowboard edges are prone to catching unexpectedly in the snow or ice. Detuning is usually performed on the nose and tail of the board, with a focus on the widest parts; the contact points.

1. Prepare to detune: With the snowboard securely positioned in the vices, hold your gummy stone or file at a ninety-degree angle to the edge of your snowboard, beginning with the nose contact points.
2. Round the nose contact points: Using very gentle pressure, make a few passes over the contact points, rolling the file from the base towards the outside edge as you remove material. Inspect the edge after each stroke. Go slow and remember, you can always remove more material, but you can’t undo file work.
3. Round the tail contact points: Repeat the detuning process, this time, at the tail contact points.

Note: You should only detune the contact points at the nose and tail of the snowboard. Maintain sharp edges through the middle of the board for the best performance. The degree to which you choose to detune should be based on your riding style and preferred terrain. If you are unsure, you can always take your board to a local snowboard shop and ask them to help determine what amount of detuning is appropriate for you.

Pro tip: If you get help at your local snowboard shop, it’s a great idea to tip them for their time.

Finishing the Snowboard Edge Sharpening Process

Once you’ve finished sharpening your snowboard edges, there are a few final steps that you can take to keep your board riding at its best.

Start by inspecting the edges of the snowboard for consistency. If you notice any portions of the edge where you missed large burs, you can perform spot touchups with your gummy stone or file. If you need to use a file, make sure to use your file guide and gentle, even pressure. Once you’ve confirmed that the edges are consistently tuned, it’s generally a good idea to follow up with a hot wax.

Hot waxing after tuning is important because some base material may have been removed during the edge sharpening process. Hot waxing will protect any portion of the base that was worn down, ensuring a smooth glide the next time you get on the snow.

Some Final Thoughts on Learning How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges

Learning how to sharpen snowboard edges is a valuable skill for anyone who wants to keep their snowboard performing at its best. Edge tuning also allows you to control the character of your snowboard on the slopes. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can ensure that your edges are properly sharpened and detuned, resulting in a smoother, more controlled ride.

Remember to use the right tools, be consistent, and protect yourself with the proper PPE. And don't neglect the value of hot waxing your board after tuning, to protect your base and ensure that you’re ready to rip next time you head to the hill.