Having a sharp edge on your skis is critical to how they grip and carve the snow while you turn. A dull edge often leads to less control, which can then lead to injury. This guide will look at some of the best ski edge sharpeners around to make sure those accidents never happen.
I’ve been a skier for nearly my entire life, and I’ve learned a lot about proper maintenance over the years. I know how to keep my equipment in tip-top shape and how critical sharp edges are in overall performance.
This year, the Expert Edge Care Kit Ski Side Angle Tool is my pick for the best overall ski edge sharpener and tuner. This quality kit provides you with everything you need to get your skis ready for action on the snow.
I’ll provide you with all of the top options in this post. My goal is to help you keep your skis in the best shape possible, so you can take advantage of every single minute you have on the mountain.
Let’s sharpen up and get after it.
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Who Should Get This
If you want to tune up your own skis, you should get all of the necessary equipment to do so. A sharpener is an easy piece of equipment to get your hands on, and it makes it easy to sharpen the edge of your skis.
If you ski often, it pays to be able to tune them up on your own rather than pay the cost of taking them to the ski shop each time.
Even if you do have your own pair of skis, if you don’t ski that often and generally don’t crash through over-exposed conditions, your edges will stay sharp most of the season. If they do dull, you can always take them to a ski shop to get them sharpened at pretty much any resort.
How do you sharpen ski edges at home?
Sharpening ski edges at home is pretty easy if you get a handheld sharpening tool. All you need to do is set the proper bevel angle for your edges and then run the sharpener along the side of your skis.
How do you use a ski edge tuner?
A ski edge tuner is another simple tool to use that can help your skis perform better in the snow. Simply run the tuner along the edge of your skis to tune them up quickly and effectively. You may need to set the proper edge angle if your tuner has this feature.
Is electric ski edge sharpener any good?
An electric ski edge sharpener can be a good tool to use, but you should know a few things about them. They are much more expensive than a handheld sharpener, and they also create a lot more dust, so you need to wear a mask and goggles when using them.
What is a good edge angle for skiing?
The edge angle of your skis can vary depending on the manufacturer, the tool you are using, or your personal preferences. Nearly all ski edges will be between 85-90 degrees. Many tools allow you to adjust the settings to meet these angles.
How do you sharpen racing ski edges?
Sharpening racing ski edges is the same process as sharpening any other type of ski edge. You simply run the tool down the length of the ski to get a proper edge tuned up and ready to race. You might want a sharper angle with racing skis than regular skis.
How often should you tune your ski edges?
This depends on how often you ski. If you are a hard-charging skier, you might want to use a speed sharpener and give your edges a tune-up every day you head to the mountain. If you don’t ski often, a few times a season is probably enough.
Why ski technicians don’t want you to sharpen your base edges?
Ski technicians often don’t want you to sharpen your base edges on your skis because they don’t want you to damage them. Inexperienced skiers can often cause serious damage to their bases if they don’t know how to use tuning tools properly.
Best Ski Edge Sharpener & Tuner: Top Picks
Here are all of my top picks for the best ski edge sharpener and tuner to get this year.
1. Expert Edge Care Kit Ski Side Angle Tool
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Expert kit, multiple stones included, adjustable bevel, accepts different files
- Adjustable bevel: Yes
- Style: Manual
- Cost: $$$
The Expert Edge Care Kit Ski Side Angle Tool is my pick for the best overall ski edge sharpener and tuner of the year.
This kit will give you everything you need to keep your skis in fantastic shape all season long. It includes an edge sharpener that accepts multiple stones, and you can adjust the edge angle from 85-90 degrees.
It also comes with a Gummi stone to help you remove burs and properly detune your skis for professional-level tune-ups in a hurry.
If you have never tuned your skis before, all of the equipment in this kit can be a bit overwhelming.
2. Swix TA3012 New EVO Pro Edge Tuner
- Best for: Electric Ski Edge Sharpener
- Key features: Easy to use, good for precision, gets skis really sharp, electric
- Adjustable bevel: Yes
- Style: Electric
- Cost: $$$$$
If you are looking for an electric ski edge sharpener, the Swix TA3012 New EVO Pro Edge Tuner is as good as it gets.
This fully eclectic option lets you quickly and effectively get a really sharp and precise edge on any of your skis.
It also comes with a fully adjustable bevel that ranges from 85-90 degrees for increased precision and control.
The downside to this quick and professional setup is that it’s extremely expensive. It costs nearly ten times the amount of a standard hand-held sharpener.
3. XCMAN Ski Snowboard Side Bevel File Guide Edge Tuner Tool
- Best for: Travel
- Key features: Affordable, effective, easy to use, small, lightweight
- Adjustable bevel: Yes
- Style: Manual
- Cost: $$
If you are planning to go on some ski trips this season but still want a way to keep your edges sharp on the move, check out the XCMAN Ski Snowboard Side Bevel File Guide Edge Tuner Tool.
This is a compact ski sharpener that gives your skis a high-quality bevel edge in seconds. It’s small enough to store in a jacket and durable enough to last for years.
It also comes with a precision guide to help you get the best angle for your setup and a replacement file to provide you with long-lasting sharpening capabilities.
It’s not as durable as some other options on this list, but I like the small size, especially for traveling purposes.
==> You can also get it on Walmart.
4. Demon Hyper Ski Tuning Kit
- Best for: Tune Kit
- Key features: Full tune kit, includes wax and iron, multiple angle settings, includes several sharpening stones
- Adjustable bevel: Yes
- Style: Manual
- Cost: $$$
The Demon Hyper Ski Tuning Kit is another full-tune setup that will give you everything you need (and more!) to keep your skis in great shape.
This is a very detailed kit and even includes an iron and wax so you can wax your skis up after you get them sharp.
The Elite X edge tuner can accept any file between 5-7mm, and you can adjust the tool to any angle between 85-90 degrees.
This is another kit where the novice might be overwhelmed. But it makes for a good learning experience to just dive in, and the kit is still highly recommended.
==> You can also get it on Sears.
5. Toko Edge Tuner Pro
- Best for: Ease of Use
- Key features: Easy to use, adjustable side edges, steel rollers, Swiss-made file
- Adjustable bevel: Yes
- Style: Manual
- Cost: $$
The Toko Edge Tuner Pro is one of the easiest tuners I have ever used, and that makes it a good option for anyone who is just learning how to tune and sharpen their skis.
This simple but effective tool lets you get a serious edge on your skis in a matter of seconds. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can adjust the edge bevel to anywhere between 85-90 degrees.
The Edge Tuner Pro also features a high-quality Swiss-made ICECUT metal file and comes with metal rollers to ease you along the edges without causing any damage.
There isn’t much of a downside to this one, but it’s not quite compact enough to easily pack with you if you want to take it to the resort.
==> You can also get it on TRADEINN or Utah Ski Gear or Walmart.
Best Ski Edge Sharpener and Tuner: What to Consider
Here are some critical things to consider when choosing the best ski edge sharpener and tuner to meet your needs.
Stand Alone Sharpener vs. Entire Kit
If you want to get a full ski tuning set up, you need to get more than just a sharpener. In this case, you’ll need a complete tuning kit that includes wax, a brush, and an iron.
If you love having sharp edges and want the ability to keep your skis in fantastic shape, it’s useful to have a sharpener around. If you only need a sharpener and take your skis to the shop for your other tune-up needs, you don’t need a full kit.
Adjustable Angle
It’s good to find a sharpener that has an adjustable angle. That will give you a proper edge on your skis. Many ski edge sharpeners have an easy-to-adjust way of changing the angle, usually between 1 and 5 degrees.
That may seem subtle, but it can make a big difference depending on your skiing style. There are ways to adjust an angle with just a file and sharpener, but having a built-in adjustment and guide goes a long way.
Type of Stone/File
When you sharpen your skis, you will use a file or stone. That can come in different varieties, all of which provide different sharpness levels. Some sharpeners will only come equipped with one stone or file, while others will give you several options.
I like having the versatility of several stones/files, but you can get away with one easy-to-use option.
Useful Tips & Resources
Learning how to tune up your skis is easy to do as long as you know the proper steps. Sharpening your edges is the first step and one of the most basic tasks that anyone can accomplish.
For more information on how to sharpen your ski edges, read this article or take a look at the video below.
Final Verdict
The Expert Edge Care Kit Ski Side Angle Tool is my pick for the best overall ski edge sharpener and tuner of the season. This kit will give you everything you need to keep your skis in excellent shape so you can ski to the best of your ability every day.
All of the tuners and sharpeners you see above come highly recommended. It really doesn’t matter what option you go with. Just make sure to use it and keep your skis ready for action at all times.
