Swix Tune Sidewall Cutter Sport

Sidewall cutting is the step most home tuners have never done and every race technician does first.

The sidewall — the plastic above the edge — sits slightly proud, and a file riding on it never properly contacts the steel. Cutting it back exposes the edge so the file reaches it, and so your bevel guide sits on the edge rather than on plastic.

• Removes ski and snowboard sidewall material
• Exposes the metal edge for accurate filing angles
• Affordable entry to a tool most tuners skip

If your edges never seem to get sharp despite a good file and guide, this is usually why. You are filing plastic.

Take off less than you think. Sidewall is structural, and it does not grow back. Remove just enough to expose the edge cleanly, check, and take more only if needed.

Blades are consumable — a dull one tears rather than cuts and takes enough force that the tool slips and marks the topsheet. See spare blades in round and square profiles.

See edge beveling tools and all tuning tools.