Thread: Snowboard sharpening

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I decided to take on another project. I have a snowboard that should last me another winter but I wanted to sharpen it myself. Does anyone know how?

1) Stone grits
2) Angles
3) Strokes

The crazy part is that I've got the fan on, ready to sell my own mother for an A/C and thinking about snowboarding is the only thing keeping me sane lol.

They have a small handheld sharpener for this. It holds the angle and is easy to use. Using a hone is MUCH more tricky, and more than you need for the edge on a snowboard. Also, when you are not using it (like now in the summer) put a little wax on the edges (candle wax works fine, and smells nice ). The edge does NOT have to be razor or even knife sharp....

At least this is my experience (I've been snowboarding for ~13 years now)

C utz

Thanks C. It's only been one season for me, but I surivived it with very little permanent damage and I love it, so I wanna get back into it next winter. Since I'm on a budget I can't spring for a nice Elan board or Flow Pro bindings (i LOVE those) so I have to make do with my Frankenstein board. Do you know how much those sharpeners go for?

They are not too expensive. Just roll down to your local ski shop and ask. The best time for buying your gear is at the end of the season....But this is a small item (I'm guessing ~$20 or less). Personally, I'm lazy and just have the shop do an overhaul at the beginning of each season...You have me thinking though that I might as well buy my own sharpener. Seems funny...I've been honing my own razor, but not my own board. I guess old habbits die hard.

As for boarding, keep at it...the nice thing about snowboarding is that the learning curve is steap! As in, you learn quickly (versus the long learning curve of skiing). Also, I HIGHLY recommend a helmet. I use to not wear one, until I broke a molar, landing and catching an edge. It's not like skiing in which you fall, the gear breaks away and your speed/momentum is lost in the forward tumble. As I am sure you have experienced, when you catch an edge, all speed/momentum STOPS hard in that one spot (make sure it's not your head that takes the brunt of the fall!). Try that at full speed, soaring down the mountain (I'm a down hill, back-woods boarder, versus your halfpipe type). I'm glad I only cracked a tooth!

I have 2 Burton boards, and my gear somewhat dates me...I have clicker bindings that you can no longer buy, but were the newest thing when I got them. I bought 2 sets (one for each board), and they have lasted me from coast to coast boarding...or I guess they call it "riding" now...

ANYWAY, keep at it, it only gets better!!

C utz

One more thing!!
There is something to be said about staying dry and warm....
Get good compfortable boots.

AND as for gear, I HIGHLY recommend Helly Hansen pants. They come with a lifetime guarantee, and I only have to wear my underwear under the pants and am warm and dry the whole time. I love 'em!

If you don't have the step in bindings you probably spend a lot of time sitting at the top of the lift, strapping in. That = cold wet ass! Get good pants!! Sometimes you have to spend a little more to be happy in the long run.

C utz

Thanks for the tips. I am definitely getting a helmet for next season. Hit my pretty badly a few times. Fortunately I've gotta hard one lol. My boots are the best part of my gear. The reason I'd like something with Flow bindings is that they make great step ins for regular boots. Got decent slush pants and that doesn't matter because I don't have to sit to strap on my bindings. However they are useful for taking spills.

When it comes to maintaining the board, I am decent at waxing (bought an iron at value village for $5 specifically for that purpose), got a decent scraper and after that, all it takes is a bit of tightening, maybe adjusting the angles (still haven't found the right one, been taking too many spills with an alpine setup), and a spray of WD40 to prevent snow from sticking to the top of the board.

Unfortunately my board and bindings are REALLY crappy. I may spring for better gear anyways.

Now, do you have any tips for moving on from beginner trails to intermediate ones?