Looking for a new Katana - what ski am I?

**SUPERIOR** · 01-22-2015, 03:11 AM

So, after ripping on 183 Volkl Katanas (2010 vintage) and Dynafits, I'm loving the setup.

These things can rail on resort groomers and float in BC pow, and are such an awesome one ski quiver for me.

I now really want something similar, but slightly longer and with more of a twin tip.

Skis that come to mind are Faction 3.Zeros, and possibly something from 4Frnt like the Devastator.

Anybody have recommendations? Thanks.

**Kied** · 01-22-2015, 11:53 AM

Check out the Salomon Q-Lab. Not really a twin, but a solid do-everything ski available in 184 and 190.

There's a good deal in this thread on a pair of unused 190's with 916s. http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...g-boy-ski-sale

**Timberridge** · 01-22-2015, 12:34 PM

Praxis Rx

**XavierD** · 01-22-2015, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Timberridge

Praxis Rx

Filling in for Bobby?

I really don't think it exists. 185 Dynastar Huge Trouble/sixth Sense huge, if you can find them.
edit: whoops, reading comprehension fail.

**Lindahl** · 01-22-2015, 01:38 PM

I would think the Bodacious would be similar, or the Cochise. No twin though.

**Kied** · 01-22-2015, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by XavierD

What year Katana do you have?

Originally Posted by SUPERIOR

So, after ripping on 183 Volkl Katanas (2010 vintage)

1234

**mn_teleswede** · 01-22-2015, 07:04 PM

Fatypus DSender is a twin that might fit the bill.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 01-22-2015, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Kied

Check out the Salomon Q-Lab. Not really a twin, but a solid do-everything ski available in 184 and 190.

There's a good deal in this thread on a pair of unused 190's with 916s. http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...g-boy-ski-sale

A Salomon replacing a Volkl. That's rich.

**Kied** · 01-22-2015, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

A Salomon replacing a Volkl. That's rich.

Not as rich as someone from Hunter talking shit. Sorry, I forgot how hard you jerk off to Volkl. Did you forget that Salomon does make vertical laminate construction skis? Or that "Lab" means it comes from their former race dept? Or that it has a similar 109 waist?

**Mustonen** · 01-23-2015, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

A Salomon replacing a Volkl. That's rich.

Salomon's been uninspiring for a while, but they've been turning it around the last couple years and the q lab is a burly ski that will charge hard.

Not saying that's the ski for the OP... It's about as far from a twin as you can get (which I like). Just trying to dilute your misinformation a little.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 01-23-2015, 11:13 AM

Well I guess I stand corrected, but it just sounds like someone recommending a Renault to replace a Merc.

**Kied** · 01-23-2015, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Well I guess I stand corrected, but it just sounds like someone recommending a Renault to replace a Merc.

If it were a couple of years back you wouldn't be far off with that analogy. Apologies for jumping on your shit... I should not interwebz after indulging in too much Bulleit.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 01-23-2015, 12:43 PM

hahaha, TGR should really come with a breathalyzer, amirite?

**Kied** · 01-23-2015, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

hahaha, TGR should really come with a breathalyzer, amirite?

Right. Then again, we've got to keep the flame wars alive with Hugh gone. Booze certainly helps.

**Banh Mi** · 01-23-2015, 01:22 PM

Salomon makes rad boots and bindings, but up until this year i thought their skis were on the weak side. Similar to armada skis. Finally both are stepping it up with some beefier skis in their lineup.

**Lord Thomas** · 01-23-2015, 10:11 PM

Ah, I got it..........Scott Punisher! Checks all the boxes. But a twin??? From a Katana to a twin??? I'm gonna go hit a little more Bulleit and surprise you with my next revelation! Will hit the Q Labs at demo days next month

**Banh Mi** · 01-24-2015, 01:20 AM

Whats the deal with the volkl one, is it more versatile than it seems?

**undertow2** · 01-24-2015, 07:36 AM

It is not as "chargey", but the one that comes to mind is the Black Diamond Zealot... I love my 194 Devastators, but they are the absolute heaviest ski I have been on... They make the Dynastar XXL feel light...

**Banh Mi** · 01-24-2015, 03:02 PM

Id like to get on both the devestators and zealots. Never skied a black diamond ski actually.

**axebiker** · 01-25-2015, 02:55 PM

Might wanna take a look at the BD Zealot.

**mfa81** · 01-25-2015, 06:22 PM

how about a stiff layup praxis mvp? on paper it looks to fit the bill

**stuckathuntermtn** · 01-25-2015, 07:40 PM

Don't wanna be a dick, but for the $1200 that a custom praxis costs, he could just get the carbo-katanas. Also, that ski is quite straight. Much smaller tip and tail in comparison.
Gunsmoke? Helldo? I honestly have nothing to add. Sorry.

**DGamms** · 01-26-2015, 12:18 PM

I want a twin tipped 185cm Katana too, one with a rec'd mount point of -6cm instead of the -12 to -14 cm from true center like the old 184 and 190 Katanas respectively. For the record, the 2010 183cm Katanas measure about 180cm straight pull, so if you wanted just a longer and not a twin, the 2011-2013 184 Katanas would do that (more like 182.5 cm straight pull).

My unicorn ski doesn't exist as far as I know. Your ideas of 3.Zero and Devastator aren't bad ideas. Gunsmoke also seems reasonable. I haven't skied any of those skis. After skiing the katanas for 6 seasons in LCC, I moved to PC and found I prefer my 186 cm Sickles (182 cm straight pull, -6 cm mount line from true center, 21 m radius) to the Katana for PCMR and Canyons. The Sickles are still pretty chargey and damp, have a full twin, are easier to turn in tight spaces, and are more lively on groomers. They don't smooth out rough snow quite as well as the Katanas, and they don't ski heavy pow or deep chop as well either.

So a Sickle/Katana hybrid would be a great resort one ski quiver... But not out there as far as I know

**ulty_guy** · 01-17-2016, 01:28 PM

Fwiw I'm a died in the wool volkl katana 184 skier and got a pair of Salomon q-lab 183 to mount with dynafit and have to say it rips pretty well. I mounted -2cm as like a more 'volkl' feel but this one feels like a mini katana in a good way.