Do Skis Get Blunt?

Do edges get blunt and does it matter?

• Most agree metal edges do dull from snow, ice, grit, rocks, and handling.
• On hardpack and ice, sharp edges can make the difference between “scary vs fun” or “impossible vs controllable,” especially for carving and racing.
• Some skiers report little to no subjective difference even after tunes, especially on softer snow or at moderate speeds.
• There’s debate whether fine-tuning angles vs simple “fresh sharpness” is what’s really felt.

Conditions, terrain, and skier skill

• Edges matter far more on icy groomers, in the Northeast/“ice coast,” on man‑made or water‑injected race surfaces, and in steep ski mountaineering terrain.
• In powder, soft snow, or for slow “slide turns,” edge sharpness matters less.
• High‑level carvers and racers are very sensitive to bevels and sharpness; many casual and intermediate skiers skid rather than carve and may benefit from slightly duller, more forgiving edges.
• Park skiers often deliberately detune edges; halfpipe and high‑speed park riding may still want some grip.

Tuning practices and frequency

• Racers and race parents: edges and wax every few runs to every couple of days; very specific bevels (e.g., 0–0.75° base, 2–4° side).
• Recreational: from “once per season or less” to light daily touch‑ups with stones; consensus that frequent heavy filing shortens ski life.
• Backcountry: some see sharp edges as critical on steep icy slopes; others mostly tour in soft snow and rarely edge.

Home tuning vs shop services

• Simple maintenance with diamond and gummy stones is seen as manageable and effective once base/side angles are set.
• Full base grinds and angle changes are harder; some report “destroying” skis at home and prefer $40 shop tunes.
• Shops can also mis-tune (wrong angles), and repeated machine tunes consume base and edge material.

Wax, base structure, and other factors

• Many say edges and boots matter more for control than wax; wax and base structure matter for speed and preventing base drying.
• Structure and proper brushing after waxing can affect glide more than wax type in many cases.
• Fluorinated race waxes were effective but raise PFAS health concerns; now banned in FIS races.

Safety and other topics

• Binding release checks are highlighted as critical, especially on older gear.
• Some criticize the article for weak methodology and overemphasis on corrosion vs mechanical wear; others see it as useful for illustrating that polishing can restore edges without full grinds.
• Open/unclear: precise wear rate of edges under different conditions; how much of perceived difference is skill vs equipment.