J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Eggman

Trencher wrote:Dave, I don't know much about machine edges. I gather it depends on the machine, and the only sure way is to finish the edges by hand. I set edges at 0.75 on the base, and 87 (or 3) degrees on the side. I do notice a difference if these angles are off, because I mostly carve. As to sharpness, I guess the fingernail test works as well as anything. Scrape your fingernail across the edge and if you peel a layer off your nail, it's sharp. The more acute the edge angle, the more often you will need to sharpen.

If you don't carve much, or never run into ice, a 1 degree base, and a 89 degree side (90 degree overall) will work. I used that for years, but as I started to carve more, and wanted more edge hold, I changed to 87 degree side bevel. Less base bevel (0.75, or less) will make the skis catch, or hook into the turn. Great if you are expecting it, or like it, but unnerving if you aren't used to it.

Trencher

olly123456789 wrote:I have a pair of ski blades i think there fun for a day but skiing a hole holiday would not be he best.

The only difference is that they are sorter, slower and require no technique. As long as you have balance and a bit of guts and anyone that as skied for more than an hour will be able to turn and stop. The worst thing is they are rubbish in powder. it would be better if you had bricks tied to your feet.

I have 2 friends that use them when we go skiing. This is cuz they cant ski properly and are unwilling to spend time to learn.

But i have nothing agents them really.

Snowboarders well that is a different kettle of fish, my mate has picked up the i'm going to stop here in the way thing within 5 mins of having a board on his feet even though he hated people doing it more than me.

Salski wrote:Hi sm4sh, you are welcome to have browse through my photos from France - Samoens January 08 & St. Gervais January 09. I've got loads of ski albums, but most aren't uploaded & I've never been to Bulgaria so sorry, can't help you out there.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimandsal/SamoensWebAlbum#

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimandsal/StGervaisLesBainsWebAlbum#

ise wrote:Mostly true I think, but probably missing the point to an extent. The big name volume ski manufacturers behave like any other businesses trying to make a profit, I'm not sure why that would be surprising.

While they're making a fair point about the exact rental version being a little different from a retail one it does cut both ways, it's a bit annoying when you're repairing a pair of skis to discover how wafer thin the base is so in some ways you might prefer the rental version anyway with a thicker base. Although CD's are the same, once reassuring thick now paper thin )

Most of the skis rented out are pretty dull things anyway, there's precious little difference between most of them and there hardly needs to be most people can't tell the difference anyhow. You've got to applaud some rental outfits for being to send out customers with some mass-produced foam filled plank and convince them it's deluxe model and the sheer cheek some have with the age of their kit is unbelievable.

Mind you, if mass market skis are dull and predictable then so's ski journalism, every article just a fluff piece for some outfit or another. Particularly sad to see Fallline having fallen so low though, it was genuinely very good in the first incarnation although I should declare an interest that the founder and I are members of the same climbing club.