How to Care for Snowboard Edges

New Snowboard

• 1

  Detune your edges. When you first get your board they'll come with sharp, factory-tuned edges. The front and tail tip edges should not be sharp, as they really just serve to protect snowboard from damage. Detune these by rubbing them down thoroughly with a file. Just file the curved tip and tail edge, not the effective edge (long, straight edge on each side).

• 2

  Smooth out the front and tail with a deburring or gummy stone.

• 3

  Check the factory bevel on effective edges. Many boards come with no bevel (bottom edge is flush with base and side edge is perpendicular to bottom). This edge may work for serious carvers, but will catch for freestyle and more general riding. Consider a 1 degree bottom and side bevel.

• 4

  If you decide to change the bevel, set the edge tool to the desired bevel and run it down each bottom and side edge using steady long filing strokes. Always start with bottom edges. This will set up the appropriate bevel on your edges.

• 5

  Touch up the edges with deburring stone. This will smooth any burrs that you might have put in while sharpening.

Edge Tune

• 6

  Tune your edges. After snowboarding a few times, your edges will get dull and nicked up. At this point, it's time to tune them so that they provide top performance.

• 7

  Use deburring stone to eliminate scratches and burrs on frontside and heelside bottom and side edges.

• 8

  Use edge tool to sharpen bottom and side edges at the appropriate bevel(s). Always use long, steady glides.

• 9

  Touch up edges with deburring stone.

• 10

  Run a hand or finger up and down each edge to ensure it's sharp, smooth and free of any small burrs or imperfections.