how to sharpen a board for ice

[groovastic]

how to sharpen a board for ice?

thanks

[Tommy D]

With a sharp edge file and sturdy file guide! :ices_ange

You'll get all kinds of responses to this question, but I prefer a 1 base/1 side bevel for carving in Vermont. I also prefer to detune the tip/tail a couple inches.

[nils]

Tooltonic.com just released a tool that is designed for ice. Its mostly used by ski racers now, but it seems with good results. Basically the Icecatcher is a tool made of machined aluminium and two rolls of carbid tungsten that are pressed hard by hand against an edge with at least 89°. The harder you press, the bigger bevel it will produce... Check image of the result. Tooltonic guy says it can last pretty long but avoiding rocks is better!

http://www.extremecarving.com/pictures/tooltonic/Ice-Catcher.jpg




I have tested it on a board, and the result is incredible, you can feel a small ridge all the way down. Will try as soon as there is ice.. but its mostly powder here these days!

Nils

[Istvan]

IMHO detuning tip/tail decreases edge grip. I think you should never detune tip/tail once you reach a level that you can carve continously without the danger of catching an edge accidentaly.

On the sides you can go up to 2-3 degress. The higher you go the more vulnerable the edge gets.

Base bevel makes edge transitions easier. Not sure if this is really needed for an advanced recreational carver. Maybe for beginners to protect them to catch an edge accidentaly and for pros for racing. Other benefit of base bevel can be that if you apply 1 degree base bevel you need to take less materiall off the sides to make it sharp. (make a drawing of it, then it'll be obvious taking into account the shape of an edge that is not sharp).

Tooltonic has a new device called the 'Icecatcher' (see the attached pic). I think it consumes the edges too much.... but probably this is the best thing for ice.


Best,

István

[Istvan]

Hi Nils, just saw that you posted the same ;-)

[nils]

hehe :)

[Tommy D]

IMHO detuning tip/tail decreases edge grip. I think you should never detune tip/tail once you reach a level that you can carve continously without the danger of catching an edge accidentaly.

Base bevel makes edge transitions easier. Not sure if this is really needed for an advanced recreational carver. Maybe for beginners to protect them to catch an edge accidentaly and for pros for racing. Other benefit of base bevel can be that if you apply 1 degree base bevel you need to take less materiall off the sides to make it sharp. (make a drawing of it, then it'll be obvious taking into account the shape of an edge that is not sharp).


There is a lot of debate out there regarding detuning. I haven't done it to my new Freecarve yet, but I'm also still running 0/0 for my edge, which I might changeup for next season.

Base bevel definitely makes the transistions easier; coming from a race oriented background I can appreciate the benefits (of detuning, too). I also find it helps on hard/icy surfaces when skidding to a stop. Also, as you mentioned, I really like the base bevel(1 degree) because it allows me to maintain a 90 degree base-to-edge angle, while keeping a "1" on the edge, which helps keep the edge sharper for longer.

[pokkis]

I must say that it is pretty much enlargened in picture, but any´way end result is superb, like whole Tooltonic tool itself. This extra add-on makes riding on icey surface pure fun :ices_ange

[Kent]

how to sharpen a board for ice?

thanks

I think the main issue here is the definition of "ice".