Question on vwerks Katanas

**rod9301** · 05-05-2018, 09:46 AM

I've been bc skiing the vwerks Katanas as my only ski.

I don't know if it's my technique, but I find them challenging to skin in steep corn.

Maybe it's the width, my previous ski was 98 under foot, or the slight reverse camber.

But when it gets steep, they slide a lot, and I have to use ski crampons more than I remember with other skis.

I love the way they ski, but it just seems they take a lot of effort on steep skins, not to mention that frozen corn feels life threatening on the way up.

Anyone has experience with these skis or similar?

Would a narrower bmt work better?

Thank you.

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sf · 05-05-2018, 11:03 AM

If you go the bmt-route I recommend the old 94s. Have skied them 30-40 days the last three years, demoed the 90s today.

They are softer and felt like the tails were less supportive. On the other hand they were nimble and easy to ski in wet, heavy snow.

But so are the 94s

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-05-2018, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by rod9301

Would a narrower bmt work better?

Yes.

**jorion** · 05-05-2018, 11:32 AM

This is a little bit like FA admitting that the RX is not perfect in every condition. It makes me a little sad.

In any case, I love my bmt 94s for spring touring. I don’t really notice the full rocker even affecting the skin grip, even though I’m sure it does.

**rod9301** · 05-05-2018, 12:52 PM

So maybe it's the width that causes the katana to slip a lot?

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**Cosmic Suncloud** · 05-05-2018, 01:01 PM

more like the "pomoca" skins aren't the best for climbing

**rod9301** · 05-05-2018, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmic Suncloud

more like the "pomoca" skins aren't the best for climbing

?

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**zion zig zag** · 05-05-2018, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by rod9301

So maybe it's the width that causes the katana to slip a lot?

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I’d say it’s width and rocker. I love the ski but I wouldn’t want to mountaineer on them.

sf · 05-05-2018, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by rod9301

So maybe it's the width that causes the katana to slip a lot?

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Width makes it worse, but any ski slips while traversing if it's hard with slush on top.

Love thy ski crampons. I use them a lot, saves a ton of energy. Both physically and mentally

**Wapow** · 05-05-2018, 05:36 PM

I have the Vwerks Katanas as daily drivers (100% touring, never ride lifts) and the skins stick better in tricky refrozen than my spring/volcano skis, which are Dynastar Mythic 97s. Same skins too (Contour mohair guide). Mythics sidehill better, but the contact point on the Vwerks is bigger for skinning.

**rod9301** · 05-05-2018, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Wapow

I have the Vwerks Katanas as daily drivers (100% touring, never ride lifts) and the skins stick better in tricky refrozen than my spring/volcano skis, which are Dynastar Mythic 97s. Same skins too (Contour mohair guide). Mythics sidehill better, but the contact point on the Vwerks is bigger for skinning.

Yes, it's the side hilling in steep terrain that bother me.

Straight up works, but when it gets steep...

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**smooth operator** · 05-09-2018, 01:21 PM

do you walk on edge or bases flat?
I find with wider skis, walking on edge is harder as you have a bigger lever. But the katanas are rather stiff tortionally and with a little practice skin fine....

**rod9301** · 05-09-2018, 02:41 PM

Yeah, when it's steep, I have to be on edge somewhat.

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**mall walker** · 05-09-2018, 03:16 PM

it is amazing imo how much better 90mm skins on steep sidehills than 100mm, and how much better 80mm skins than 90mm, and so on...

**AKbruin** · 05-09-2018, 04:27 PM

Skinning steep corn is always hard (for me at least). I've never really noticed the width of my skis making a huge difference, although I could see it making some difference.