Starting this thread in response to the interest my WTB thread made in gear swap: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...Pow-or-Similar
There has been some talk about reviving the PM Gear Kusala Pow Ski with Praxis construction. A couple seasons ago Pat and Keith did a successful collab to revive the 191 PM Gear Lhasa Pow Fat (with some minor tweaks). The limited custom run turned out awesome, I think we had around 30 pairs pressed. I personally love my pair, one of my favorite skis. Thread for those interested: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...xis-Lhasa-Pows
I have yet to talk to Keith recently, but Pat reports that he has discussed the possibility of doing a Kusala repress with Keith, and looks like we'd need around 25 pre-orders to get that going. For those of you who don't know much about the Kusala, here's the thread about the skis: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...ear-Kusala-pow
That being said, I thought it would be a cool idea to get a discussion thread going to talk about potential ski ideas and catalog the interest in various designs before we go to Keith with anything. Especially during this time, I would love to throw some business towards our favorite local ski builders, so seems like a great idea to get a custom ski run in the works.
Personally, I am wondering what shape makes the most sense for a new ski. I would wonder how different a 'Praxis Kusala' would end up being compared to the regular protest considering the dimensions are very similar. Perhaps people who have skied both the Protest and original Kusala could chime in.
Edit: See comments in thread below on first page, appears they ski pretty differently due to taper and other differences:
Kusala Dimensions:
• Length: 186cm
• Dim: 133.2 / 124 / 129.4 mm
• Flat underfoot
• Radius: approximately 30m
• Pintail profile: 0.4°
• Front rocker length: 460mm
• Front rocker height: 23.7mm (including the front reverse camber)
• Front end height: 90mm
• Rear rocker length: 390mm
• Rear rocker height: 13.1mm (including the rear reverse camber)
• Rear end height: 30mm
Protest Dimensions (187):
• Length: 187cm
• Dim: 139 / 128 / 132 mm
• Dim: 3mm Camber Underfoot (almost flat)
• Radius: 30m
• Front rocker length: 540mm
• Front rocker height: Unsure
• Front end height: 75mm
• Rear rocker length: 330mm
• Rear rocker height: Unsure
• Rear end height: 45mm
Personally, I would be interested in two designs. First would be a narrower, 112-114mm waisted ski that is similar to the Kusala and or/Protest, but more versatile for all kinds of snow. Little shorter turn radius, tad more sidecut, and more supportive tips, and a tiny bit of camber for harder snow but still keeps that magic side-to-side nimbleness that makes skis like the Kusala and Protest so fun. I'd love to have this as a do it-all backcountry quiver of one. Praxis made a 'narrower Protest' before, in the Wootest and Wootest 2.0 (good info here: https://blisterreview.com/gear-revie...is-wootest-2-0 ). Could also be a good resort 1-ski quiver too depending on layup. Seems like the Wootest 2.0 generally speaking had a mixed reception. Would be curious as to people's thoughts on why and how that ski could be improved. Perhaps bumping the dimensions from 124 tip -113- 116 tail to the following (I need to ask Keith for current Wootest 2.0 design metrics, it is no longer on the website):
'Wootest 3.0' ?
187cm Length
135 tip - 113 waist - 119 tail
30m Sidecut Radius
Minimal Camber Underfoot (3-5mm)
Fairly Stiff Flex
Enduro/Carbon/Veneer Layup
Otherwise a Kusala repress would be great. 187cm seems like a good touring length to me, or 191 for resort.
Those are just my general thoughts at the moment. One of the great thing about TGR is all the different perspectives and gearheads we have on here - so I just want to open the floor to discussion. I'm not a ski designer, and there are a lot of intricacies in how sidecut, rocker profile, taper play together. I'm sure Keith and/or Pat would have good insights about various ideas we might come up with and real-world feasibility.
There is something to be said for not messing with a good thing - a Kusala repress would be a really fun ski for sure and would be pretty straightforward to get going.
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