The Tazzari RP-23 is the most advanced and refined numeric-controlled grinder available. Representatives of Mantec and Wintersteiger will argue with that statement, and both companies make machines that are considerably larger, more complex and more expensive, so allow me to explain.

Most machinery is designed by engineers, and the other numeric-controlled machines on the market are good examples of that tenet. The Wintersteiger and Mantec machines have been designed with features that are both unnecessary and cumbersome. Some of these features (like fully-automated hands-free ski feeding) are designed to make the machines “idiot-proof” in order to ensure that unqualified personnel can operate the machinery. Other features (like multiple-threading) exist only because they can exist, not because the provide meaningful additional capability.

The Tazzari machine has been designed by Lars Svensson (that’s him to the right) who has worked with the manufacturers for over fifteen years to refine the capabilities of the equipment. During that time Lars has provided grinding services to the world’s best skiers. He worked exclusively with the Norwegian National Team during the heyday of Daehlie, Ulvang and Alsgaard. After the 1998 Nagano Olympics he worked with Sweden and Germany. And all that time he worked with Tazzari to refine the equipment that he needed to make the fastest skis in the world.

The RP-23 is designed for professional technicians. While it is used by top-level alpine technicians, it was designed as a nordic ski grinder. Tazzari makes one stone for nordic skis, and it is the best in the industry. Lars Svensson has made his own proprietary diamonds, designed to work with the Tazzari nordic stone, which are manufactured for him exclusively. All things considered, it’s no wonder that the Tazzari machine accounts for the majority of the grinds on the World Cup.

Also, the machine has a totally cool color scheme.