Three clamps, and whether it holds a snowboard too

Ski vises and tuning stands, compared

A vise holds a ski still, and a ski that moves cannot be waxed, filed or repaired properly. The shelf is small and the prices are not close — 40 € for a universal adapter, 149 € for a World Cup bench set — and the differences are in details that decide whether the tool gets used. The number of clamps is the first: a three-point set supports tip, waist and tail and is the standard for a full tune, while a single centre clamp is for waxing only. The brake retainer is the part that is missing from the cheapest sets and is needed on every alpine ski: a rubber band or clip that holds the binding brakes out of the way, without which the arms sit exactly where the scraper needs to pass. Vertical clamping is the next: to work a side edge the ski must be held on its side, and a vise that only holds a ski base-up cannot do edges at all. Snowboard capacity is a genuine difference and not an accessory — a board is wider and needs a different jaw, and the vises that take both say so. Then the mounting: bench fixing by clamp or by screw, and whether the jaws are adjustable in height, which matters if the bench is the kitchen table. The build closes it — metal bodies at the top of the shelf, plastic at the bottom, and a vise that flexes under a file is a vise that puts a curve in an edge. We compare clamps, brake retainer, vertical clamping, snowboard capacity, mounting, material and weight.

Every accessory here, figure by figure

1. 

   SkinStar 635/SK

   The cheapest thing on this shelf is not a vise at all — it is the part that makes the vise you own fit a wider ski.

   Clamps

   None — this extends an existing clamp rather than replacing it

   Brake retainer

   Not published

   Vertical clamping

   Not published

   Snowboard capacity

   Not published; stated to take different ski widths

   Mounting

   Fits onto an existing vise

   Material

   Not published

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B01N8XKWR3 (one reference across 4 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   8058983781128

   • Says plainly, five times over, that it extends a vise rather than being one
   • Sold as a spare part, so a worn or missing piece can be replaced without a new vise
   • It is useless on its own: the buyer must already own a compatible vise

   Best for: Someone whose vise fits their old skis and not their new ones

   ≈ €40

   Check price on Amazon
2. 

   IGOSKI IG-SV-01

   A pair of clamps with two edge angles, and the only vise here that says what it weighs.

   Clamps

   Two, adjustable to different angles

   Brake retainer

   Two rubber rings and a tie band, stated in the packaging list

   Vertical clamping

   Yes — flat for waxing, upright for edges, with 60° and 90° options

   Snowboard capacity

   Stated to hold wide skis and snowboards of any size

   Mounting

   Non-slip handles; for a workshop, home bench or a portable tuning table

   Material

   Not named; described as a special material

   Weight

   About 1.6 kg

   Amazon reference

   B0BHZJZG4K (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0615228543699

   • The only vise on this shelf that publishes a weight — about 1.6 kg — which matters if it travels to the hill
   • Two edge angles, 60° and 90°, stated rather than implied
   • The packing dimension is malformed: "ca. 29,2 x 12,2,5 cm", three numbers and two commas

   Best for: A tuning table that has to be carried, or a bench that is also a kitchen table

   ≈ $54 / €63

   Check price on Amazon
3. 

   W WITHLENT Alpine Ski Vise PRO

   The widest jaw on the shelf, published as a range — and a bullet point that wandered in from a monitor stand.

   Clamps

   Three-part set: one centre clamp and two end supports

   Brake retainer

   Two, included

   Vertical clamping

   The end supports swivel up to 35° from straight

   Snowboard capacity

   Stated to fit snowboards and the largest cross-country and backcountry skis

   Mounting

   Clamps to a bench or table up to 60 mm (2.36 in) thick; 45 mm of height adjustment

   Material

   Solid aluminium alloy, with several rubberised bearing surfaces

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B0G4RBYJ7D (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0758899716488

   • The jaw opening is published as a range — 35 to 115 mm — which no other listing here does
   • Publishes the maximum bench thickness, 60 mm, which decides whether it fits the table you own
   • The fourth bullet point explains the swivel as being for viewing angles when adjusting a screen sideways

   Best for: A wide ski or a snowboard, on a bench thick enough to clamp to

   ≈ €83

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4. 

   Winterial WIN-STVG

   A two-clamp set that puts the brake retainers in its own bullet point rather than in the small print.

   Clamps

   Two

   Brake retainer

   Two rubber retainers, stated to hold the ski brakes clear

   Vertical clamping

   Yes — horizontal and vertical working positions, stated

   Snowboard capacity

   Stated to suit most ski and snowboard shapes, including wide, cross-country and touring skis

   Mounting

   Non-slip rubber grip, for tables up to 6 cm thick

   Material

   Not named; described as strong, durable materials

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B07L6NWSSG (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0759195011703

   • The brake retainers get a bullet point of their own, which is the part the family page above says to check for
   • Publishes the maximum table thickness — 6 cm — so the fit can be checked before buying
   • No jaw opening published, which is the figure that decides whether a wide ski fits

   Best for: An alpine ski with brakes, on a kitchen table

   ≈ $100 / £83 / €70

   Check price on Amazon
5. 

   SKS GERMANY Three Way, with vertical clamp set 3400

   The only vise here that holds a ski without clamping jaws — and the only one with a cross-country adapter in the box.

   Clamps

   Three clamping positions, each leaving the edges continuously accessible

   Brake retainer

   Not published

   Vertical clamping

   Yes — the listing is sold with a vertical clamp set

   Snowboard capacity

   Not published; any ski width, stated

   Mounting

   Not published

   Material

   Not published

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B009ZDOEVO (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   4250493732346

   • Holds a ski of any type and shape without clamping jaws, which is a genuinely different mechanism
   • Three clamping positions, each with the edges fully accessible — no repositioning mid-file
   • No brake retainer mentioned, which the family page above calls the first thing to check

   Best for: A household with alpine and cross-country skis and one bench

   ≈ $141 / €95

   Check price on Amazon
6. 

   TOKO Ski Vise World Cup

   A metal three-part vise with both edge positions, height-adjustable rubber supports, and its contents listed item by item.

   Clamps

   Three-part metal set

   Brake retainer

   Two stopper bands, included

   Vertical clamping

   Yes — 90° upright and 60° tilted, both stated

   Snowboard capacity

   Not published; the listing names alpine skis

   Mounting

   Screw clamps, onto any table top or workbench

   Material

   Metal, with rubberised height-adjustable bearing surfaces

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B008XSJBC4 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   4250423601933

   • Metal throughout, which is what stops a vise flexing under a file and putting a curve in an edge
   • Both edge positions published — 90° and 60° — and the jaw opening, 100 mm
   • Sold for alpine skis; snowboards are not mentioned, where four vises here state them

   Best for: Alpine skis, a fixed bench and someone who files edges rather than only waxing

   ≈ $161 / £148 / €135

   Check price on Amazon
7. 

   Holmenkol SuperProPlus Worldcup

   Three bullet points, and two of them are numbers — which on this shelf counts as well described.

   Clamps

   Three-part professional vise

   Brake retainer

   Not published

   Vertical clamping

   Not published

   Snowboard capacity

   Not published

   Mounting

   Not published

   Material

   Not published; described as a robust clamping device

   Weight

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B001H67XLA (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   4250081614153

   • Publishes both a span and a maximum opening — 90 mm and 100 mm — which only one other listing here does
   • A three-part set, which is the configuration for a full tune rather than waxing alone
   • Three bullet points in total, and no brake retainer, mounting or material among them

   Best for: A workshop that already has stopper bands and wants the three-point support

   ≈ £190 / €149

   Check price on Amazon