Has anyone tried this sanding technique on black-bottomed ski bases? Is the clear ptex insert necessary for success? I’m curious how softer carbon-impregnated ski bases perform with this kind of treatment. The 2009 Swix Nordic Ski Preparation manual details a similar process, albeit with coarser sandpaper moved in a herringbone fashion on the base. It seems like the idea has a lot of merit. I’m up for giving it a try, but before I start sanding I would like to hear from anyone else that has done it. Much obliged…
Small historical footnote: While Fischer’s contention is that design and development goes back to the 90’s, I am aware of at least one WC relay race in ’76 where Koch raced successfully in tricky conditions by placing silicone-lubricated mohair strips in his kick zone. Shortly thereafter, Trak produced such a ski commercially (others may have as well). At about that period, I also distinctly remember racers hacking their bases with rat-tail files (sort of the original ‘racing fishscale’). However, to the best of my knowledge, Koch was the first to do it on the WC, and he was a Fischer guy so they still get the credit.
Andy Hardy
November 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I believe this has been done to black-bottomed bases (those that make the rockin’ world go round) in the past. I’ve been at races where this has been used successfully although I think I used some klister/hard wax combo that didn’t work so well.
I’m assuming the clear p-tex is more durable over longer distances and maybe uses a polymer that resists icing. or it’s a marketing gimmick…
sanding the kick zone on your trusty black bottomed classic skis also might remove enough base material that it becomes more difficult to get contact w/ the snow in the kick zone over time.
![Fischer Zero 1](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/11/zeropressreleaserd1.jpg" "Fischer Zero 1")
![Fischer Zero 2](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/11/zeropressreleaserd15.jpg" "Fischer Zero 2")
![Fischer Zero 5](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/11/zeropressreleaserd11.jpg" "Fischer Zero 5")
2 comments
OldManWinter
November 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Has anyone tried this sanding technique on black-bottomed ski bases? Is the clear ptex insert necessary for success? I’m curious how softer carbon-impregnated ski bases perform with this kind of treatment. The 2009 Swix Nordic Ski Preparation manual details a similar process, albeit with coarser sandpaper moved in a herringbone fashion on the base. It seems like the idea has a lot of merit. I’m up for giving it a try, but before I start sanding I would like to hear from anyone else that has done it. Much obliged…
Small historical footnote: While Fischer’s contention is that design and development goes back to the 90’s, I am aware of at least one WC relay race in ’76 where Koch raced successfully in tricky conditions by placing silicone-lubricated mohair strips in his kick zone. Shortly thereafter, Trak produced such a ski commercially (others may have as well). At about that period, I also distinctly remember racers hacking their bases with rat-tail files (sort of the original ‘racing fishscale’). However, to the best of my knowledge, Koch was the first to do it on the WC, and he was a Fischer guy so they still get the credit.
Andy Hardy
November 11, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I believe this has been done to black-bottomed bases (those that make the rockin’ world go round) in the past. I’ve been at races where this has been used successfully although I think I used some klister/hard wax combo that didn’t work so well.
I’m assuming the clear p-tex is more durable over longer distances and maybe uses a polymer that resists icing. or it’s a marketing gimmick…
sanding the kick zone on your trusty black bottomed classic skis also might remove enough base material that it becomes more difficult to get contact w/ the snow in the kick zone over time.