How to Detune Snowboard Edges for Perfect Control

Detuning snowboard edges is an important part of tuning and it’s an easy project that anyone can do at home with just a few simple tools. But the degree to which you detune your snowboard edges will depend on a variety of factors, like what type of snowboard you ride, what type of terrain you ride, and what style of riding you prefer.

In this guide, the experts at Burton outline the key reasons you might want to detune a snowboard, explain the basic step-by-step process for detuning at home, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about detuning.

• Why should I detune snowboard edges?
• Tools Needed for Detuning
• Detuning Snowboard Edges for All Mountain Riding: Step-by-step Process
• Detuning Snowboard Edges for Freestyle Riding: Step-by-step Process
• Detuning Snowboard Edges: FAQs

Why should I detune snowboard edges?

It may seem strange and even counterproductive to intentionally dull a snowboard edge that you just sharpened, but there are good reasons to detune. Most importantly, detuning allows you to achieve and maintain predictable snowboard behavior and control.

Here’s how it works: metal edges allow a rider to control their snowboard by digging into the snow. When the rider engages the edge, it causes the snowboard to turn (following its turn radius). As long as the rider keeps the edge engaged, the snowboard will continue turning. But during the short moment when transitioning from one edge to the other (heelside to toeside, for example), the snowboard rides flat on its base for a brief moment. During this time, downward pressure on freshly sharpened contact points can cause the edge to unexpectedly engage with the snow. This is commonly referred to as “catching an edge.” By detuning the snowboard’s edges and making them slightly less sharp, you can reduce the likelihood of catching an edge while riding.

Of course, detuning alone won’t prevent you from catching an edge. Ultimately, good riding technique is also required to maintain control over your snowboard. Nonetheless, detuning snowboard edges is a great way to reduce the chances of catching an edge.

Detuning isn’t just for general riding, though. Additionally, freestyle riders often detune to avoid catching an edge on rails or boxes and have more forgiving landings while riding park and hitting jumps.

Pro tip: Beginner snowboarders who are still working on the fundamentals of riding often benefit from detuned edges while they learn how to link turns from edge to edge.

Tools Needed for Detuning

Detuning snowboard edges is one of the simplest tuning procedures you can perform at home, and it only requires a few tools.

Tools Needed for Detuning:

• Snowboard Tuning Vises
• Flat File
• Gummy Stone
• Work Gloves
• Eye Protection

Important: You can’t “undo” detuning. This process removes metal from the edges that cannot be added back. Generally speaking, it is best to detune as conservatively as possible.

Detuning Snowboard Edges for All Mountain Riding

Before detuning your snowboard, you’ll want to consider the conditions you ride most frequently. For the all mountain rider, who likes to sample a little bit of everything on the mountain, you'll want your effective edge to be sharp, with slightly detuned contact points. Detune to the degree that you avoid catchy edges but still maintain enough control of your snowboard to easily initiate turns and hold your edge.

Detuning Snowboard Edges for All Mountain Riding: Step-by-step Process

1. Prepare the workspace and gather your tools. You’ll need a solid surface (like a workbench) in a location where you don’t mind making a bit of a mess with metal shavings. Consider locations like a basement, garage, or backyard where you have a sturdy and stable place to mount your vises. Gather the recommended detuning tools and put on your gloves and eye protection (take it from us, metal slivers in your fingers don’t feel good).
2. Detune the nose contact points. Secure your snowboard in the vises and detune the nose contact points first. Holding your file at a 45-degree angle to the edge, gently, and with even pressure, slide the file along the snowboard edge, starting roughly 2 inches (5 centimeters) within the effective edge and moving towards the nose. You’ll likely need to make multiple passes, each time varying your file angle so that you round over the edge instead of creating a flat spot. Flip the board over in the vises and repeat the process for the nose contact point on the opposite edge.
3. Detune the tail contact points. Now detune the tail contact points. Holding your file at a 45-degree angle to the edge, gently, and with even pressure, slide the file along the snowboard edge, starting roughly 2 inches (5 centimeters) within the effective edge and moving towards the tail. You’ll need to make multiple passes, each time varying your angle so that you round over the edge instead of creating a flat spot. Flip the board over in the vises and repeat the process for the tail contact point on the opposite edge.
4. Polish the snowboard edges with a gummy stone. Once you are satisfied with your file work, follow up with a gummy stone to clean any remaining rough spots or burrs. Position the gummy stone against the edge of the snowboard, and while applying gentle pressure, slide the gummy stone along the edge. Repeat this procedure for each area that you filed until the edges are smooth to the touch.

Detuning Snowboard Edges for Freestyle Riding

When detuning the edges of a freestyle snowboard, you may want to detune a larger portion of the edge, or possibly the entire length of the effective edge, from the nose contact point all the way to the tail contact point. This choice should be informed by your intended use (a designated jibbing snowboard versus a snowboard for casual park laps mixed with all mountain riding).

Detuning Snowboard Edges for Freestyle Riding: Step-by-step Process

1. Prepare the workspace and gather your tools. You’ll need a solid surface (like a workbench) in a location where you don’t mind making a bit of a mess with metal shavings. Consider locations like a basement, garage, or backyard where you have a sturdy and stable place to mount your vises. Gather the recommended detuning tools and put on your gloves and eye protection (take it from us, metal slivers in your fingers don’t feel good).
2. Detune the nose contact points. Secure your snowboard in the vises and detune the nose contact points first. Holding your file at a 45-degree angle to the edge, gently, and with even pressure, slide the file along the snowboard edge, moving towards the nose. The portion of the snowboard edge that you choose to detune should depend on your needs. You can detune the entire effective edge. You’ll likely need to make multiple passes, each time varying your file angle so that you round over the edge instead of creating a flat spot. Flip the board over in the vises and repeat the process for the nose contact point on the opposite edge.
3. Detune the tail contact points. Now detune the tail contact points. Holding your file at a 45-degree angle to the edge, gently, and with even pressure, slide the file along the snowboard edge, moving towards the tail. You’ll likely need to make multiple passes, each time varying your file angle so that you round over the edge instead of creating a flat spot. Flip the board over in the vises and repeat the process for the nose contact point on the opposite edge.
4. Polish the snowboard edges with a gummy stone. Once you are satisfied with your file work, follow up with a gummy stone to clean any remaining rough spots or burrs. Position the gummy stone against the edge of the snowboard, and while applying gentle pressure, slide the gummy stone along the edge. Repeat this procedure for each area that you filed until the edges are smooth to the touch.

Detuning Snowboard Edges: FAQs

Q: Why should you detune snowboard edges?

A: Detuning snowboard edges makes them less catchy, and therefore less likely to cause unexpected falls.

Q: When should you detune a snowboard?

A: The experts at Burton recommend detuning snowboard edges immediately after waxing and sharpening. It might seem counterintuitive, but most riders agree that your board rides best if the effective edge is sharp and your contact points are slightly rounded over.

Q: How do you detune a snowboard?

A: Detune snowboard edges using a file and gummy stone. We also recommend a reliable set of snowboard tuning vises that will securely hold your snowboard while you work on it.

Q: How do you detune a snowboard for the terrain park?

A: If you are detuning for the terrain park (or freestyle riding), you will likely want to detune a larger portion of your effective edge. This could mean detuning six inches (15 centimeters) of your effective edge past your contact points. Some freestyle riders may even want to detune the entire effective edge of their snowboard to avoid catching an edge on rails and boxes.

Final Thoughts on Detuning Snowboard Edges

Detuning the contact points on your snowboard will reduce the likelihood of catching an edge and wiping out. Many riders perform their own detuning, but if the process feels intimidating, a reputable shop can do it for you. Whether you detune yourself or let the pros handle it, make sure to consider the type of riding you do, and detune accordingly: less for all mountain riders, and more for freestyle maneuvers.

Pro tip: For a comprehensive guide to edge tuning, read How to Sharpen Snowboard Edges: A Step-by-step Guide.