![]() ![]() First, it is nearly impossible for the Razor-Tune to slip off and ruin an edge (again, idiot-proof!). There are several benefits to this design. But the Razor-Tune sits across the base with the base facing up, providing a stable platform and a solid feel. Many of the other power ski tuners are placed on the edge with the base vertical, meaning that they sit rather precariously on the sidewall and can easily slip off and grind the edge the wrong way. I learned that the Razor-Tune has one big design advantage. Well, the Razor-Tune blew me away from the start. He was familiar with my work in the psychology of ski racing and so, after talking for a while, he said he would send me a unit to try out. I decided to call up the owner, Troy Scriven (try doing that with one of the other power tuners!), an inventor and a father whose children were racers, to learn more about the Razor-Tune. Now that was a price point I could wrap my wallet around! And the best part, beyond the very positive reviews, was the price, starting at $500 for the basic kit. The article produced many comments from readers, one of whom mentioned a new power ski-sharpening tool called the Razor-Tune which she raved about (as did several other commenters) and called it idiot-proof (that was a prerequisite for an idiot like me!). So, I resigned myself to continuing to tune my daughters’ skis the old-fashioned way. Far beyond my pay grade however much I wanted one. My second reaction was sticker shock, as I saw how much these gizmos cost, in the $1000-$3000 range. But, as I read the article, my first reaction was that I had to “git me one of them new-fangled gizmos!” (said with a Vermont accent). I had seen national-team technicians use them for many years, but never thought that I would have a need or an interest myself. ![]() I read an article on that reviewed some of the popular devices. So, I began to do some research on power tuning devices. Last fall around this time, I wasn’t too thrilled about spending another winter and countless hours tuning skis the old-school way, with a file and stone. As with many aspects of our modern-day lives, technology has evolved that not only results in better prepared skis, but also accomplishes that outcome in much less time. And wax has gotten more sophisticated and, OMG!, incredibly expensive (no, it doesn’t make a difference before FIS, so save your $$$!).īut one thing has changed that has made my life, and the lives of many ski-tuning parents and racers, much easier. And many of the tools are the same, including files, stones, and scrapers, though much more expensive. It’s still about sharp edges and smooth and fast bases. Interestingly, tuning skis hasn’t changed that much in the many decades since I was a racer. Thankfully, I’ve discovered a tool that has made my life as a ski technician vastly easier, less time consuming, yet more effective. With late fall camps beginning in a few weeks, my recent weekends have been devoted to tuning the 12 pairs of skis (yikes!) that my daughters will be using this winter. The downside had been that I was spending more and more time in our tuning room in our cabin on Donner Summit, which meant less time with my family and doing other things that I actually love to do (though, admittedly, I do enjoy tuning skis). A big upside for me is that I get to spend the winter in the mountains while they attend the winter-term program at Sugar Bowl Academy. Then, I had two children who, as they grew up, developed such a love for skiing and then ski racing that they have chosen, at least for the time being, to pursue this crazy and most difficult sport of ours. ![]() I then took a decades-long break from ski tuning when, though I still skied often, I usually brought my skis into a shop to be tuned a few times a year. I have distant memories of tuning my skis from my racing days at Burke Mountain Academy, Middlebury College, and the University of Colorado (as well as my two years on the pro tour). I’m certainly no stranger to tuning skis. Though both of my daughters are learning how to tune their own skis, I still take responsibility for getting their new skis tuned to start the season. Winter is approaching (or already started) and if you’re the parent of one more ski racers, or a ski racer yourself, you can expect to spend many hours over the coming months in a tuning room or garage filing, waxing and scraping ski after ski after ski after ski till the snow finally melts.Īs the father of two ski racers, I can speak to this yearly ritual firsthand. ![]()
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