Snowboard Sharpening: How to / How Often / How Much to Sharpen etc

Blades on a snowboard wear down as you ride and they can be sharpened to last longer.

Sharpening a snowboard on a regular basis will extend the life of the blade and improve your ride. Very simple to do, but it can be tricky on some setups.  

The first step of the process is to make sure your snowboard is clean of dirt and any other sediment. This will make the sharpening process easier and not as messy. Next you need to make sure your board is waxed thoroughly.

You can use a wax comb or a wax brush to get a nice even coat over the top of the board.

Conclusion: Snowboarding is more than just a hobby. It's a lifestyle. Before you head out to the mountain, make sure you tune up your board and get it nice and sharp.

This will allow you to get the most out of your experience and help you get your best run of the day.

Why Does a Snowboard Get Dull?

Snowboarding is a game that tests one's balance and agility. When a snowboard gets dull, it's harder for the snowboarder to maintain their balance and agility which, in turn, leads to a lack in performance. Unfortunately, when snowboarders don't do a good job of maintaining their snowboard by waxing, the snowboard becomes dull much more quickly. In order for snowboarders to maintain their snowboard's performance, they need to wax their snowboard. 

Boards get dull and scratchy over time and it can be frustrating to ride. Even though some people like the feeling of a dull board, most riders prefer to have a board that is in good condition. The article offers some tips on how to avoid dirty sledding.

How to Sharpen a Snowboard 

Snowboarders from all levels will experience one common phenomenon: dulled edges. To keep your board sharp and in top condition, you will need to periodically sharpen it. The simplicity of design and materials used in cutting a snowboard means that it is easy to keep the board in pristine condition. 

We recommend that you follow these five steps: 

1. Clean the Base
2. Inspect the Base for Dings 
3. Sharpen the Base 
4. Clean the Sidewalls 
5. Inspect the Sidewalls for Damage or Faults 

If you follow these simple steps, your board will be sharp and in great condition.

 

Here are some tips on how to sharpen a snowboard with a base plate. 

• Wet the base plate with water for 10 seconds. 
• Scrub the base plate with the stone until the edge is sharp enough. 
• Repeat this process until you have a sharp edge, then dry the plate with a towel. 
• Clean the plate with soap and water to remove all dirt and grime. 
• Allow to dry. 

A base plate is the part of the snowboard that sits on the ground when it is not being used. The edge of the base runs perpendicular to the slope of the mountain.

If you don't have special snowboard maintenance tools i.e. a base plate to sharpen there is another way to sharpen it. You can sharpen both sides of the snowboard with fine-grit sandpaper, but make sure the surface is clean before you start. 

The first step is to ensure that the surface is clean and dry before you start, the second step is to use the sandpaper to remove the paint from the curves near the edges (these are called bevels), and finally, use coarse grit sandpaper for the flat sections to remove the paint there. Be sure to sand in one direction only and to alternate the direction every few strokes.

Clean and Clean the Snowboard After Sharpening

For those who enjoyed winter sports this past winter, the snowboarding season is now over, and it's time to clean and put away all of your winter gear. A great way to clean and store your snowboard is with a great board wax. If you want to protect your board and keep it looking nice and new, we recommend using a top of the line wax. 

There are several different types of wax, and we recommend picking one that is best for your needs. Some waxes are made for racing, and some are made for versatility. Waxing your board is also a good idea because it helps the board slide more easily on snow and ice. 

One step in maintaining a snowboard is waxing the snowboard. Many people tend to avoid waxing their snowboard because they think it does not make a difference. Waxing a snowboard is an essential part of snowboard maintenance. It helps the snowboarder gain an edge and protects the snowboard from punishing conditions like sun and dirt that can wear down your snowboard.

How to Test For an Edge on Your Snowboard

Everyone wants to know how to test for an edge on their snowboard, but not everyone knows how to do it. Testing for an edge is crucial to go down the mountain without the worry of falling. If you don’t want to bother checking for an edge on your snowboard, turn around and take it in for professional help. But if you do, follow these steps.

To test for an edge, first take your board and lay it on the ground. The bottom will look like a face with a nose that has a notch in it. You will then need to take the board and bend the tips of the nose upward, so they are not touching. The board should stay in place without falling over.

Snowboards are typically sharpened by a professional at least once a year. Unfortunately, many people neglect the need to sharpen their snowboard and end up with a dull edge. It is recommended that basic snowboard maintenance is performed every 5-8 days. This will ensure that your snowboard is always ready to go.

To Wrap Things Up

Since boarding is a sport that is performed right on the edge of the board, you must take the time to sharpen your edges. A sharp board will provide you with better performance and control, glide over the snow better, and be less likely to lose energy in the transition or the slide-out. 

This article gave you some tips on how to sharpen your board. Sharpening is the process of making an edge more effective. A sharpened edge can make a huge difference in your riding experience.

Snowboard waxing is a critical step in snowboarding. You can wax your board before or after you go out to make the ride smoother. Waxing before is most common. It's important to use the right lubricants to make sure your board moves right. 

FAQ's

1. What happens if I don't wax my snowboard?

For most skilled snowboarders, waxing their board is a deeply ingrained habit and most likely something they've been doing since they were kids. The wax layer may not be visible to the naked eye, but the slick layer of wax makes a snowboarder's ride on the mountain smoother and more enjoyable. 

A snowboard's surface can easily be scuffed up from rocks, tree sap, and other ski equipment, but a regular wax job will keep your board looking new for longer. In some cases, a snowboarder who doesn't wax their board will end up with a great deal of friction on their snowboard, which ends up slowing them down while going downhill. It's a good idea to wax your board every few runs.

2. Is rust on snowboard edges bad?

Rust on the snowboard edges can make your experience worse and may even cause injury. Snowboard edges need to be in tip-top shape for an enjoyable winter, but it’s not always easy to maintain them. 

Rust on snowboard edges can cause them to dull and not grip your board as well. This can create a dangerous situation when you’re trying to stay balanced and when speeds are high. You need to make sure that your snowboard is in good shape when you’re taking the slopes. 

3. Should you detune a new snowboard?

Many shops will recommend detuning the contact points on a new board or pair of skis before the first tune-up to keep the edges from catching unexpectedly and jerking the rider or skier.

4. Can I wax my snowboard with a regular iron?

Whether or not a regular iron is a suitable option for waxing a snowboard will depend on several factors, including the type of wax, the temperature of the iron, and the quality of the iron. 

For example, a wax made from a combination of beeswax and petroleum jelly should not be used on a snowboard as it could damage the board. It does not have the low melting point of a professional-grade wax made from surfactants. 

In addition, the iron should have a temperature setting that is appropriate for the type of wax being used. A regular iron typically does not reach hot enough temperatures to melt the wax and soften and warm the board.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.