Line Blade

[PlayItLeo]

Just picked up a set of 181s for skiing with the kid and fucking around. Skis have plugged holes for spx on the line at around my bsl or open holes for wardens that will put me around -1.5cm. All my other skis are super directions mounts like -10 or further back, am I going to regret mounting these a little back so I can use the open holes and wardens from my stash or should I find some pivots or spx to be on the line?

Tough one. I think they be better on the line, especially with the way the metal in the ski is split at the midsole mark to allow them to flex like crazy, but idk if it’s worth buying new clamps if you already have Wardens. Can you squeeze a Warden mount in close to the line or maybe just move the toe mount forward and use the adjustment in the heel to get closer to the line?

[VTskibum]

Blue (PA) season opener yesterday were perfect Blade conditions. Foggy and warm, slushy conditions. Great at making a ton of short turns and they are stable enough to open them up for some big trail edge to edge turns.


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[Steffen1]

Has the Blade changed since the 20/21 model launched? I have a chance to buy those. There is certainly some confusion about mount point, with the 20/21 model saying -7cm and I think all future models saying -4cm.

I've finally found a place to demo the Blade in Whistler: Premium Rentals, they have the 23/24 version/graphics. On hand flexing, I'm certain I've never skied anything remotely this soft before, which has me worried.

[PlayItLeo]

Has the Blade changed since the 20/21 model launched? I have a chance to buy those. There is certainly some confusion about mount point, with the 20/21 model saying -7cm and I think all future models saying -4cm.

I've finally found a place to demo the Blade in Whistler: Premium Rentals, they have the 23/24 version/graphics. On hand flexing, I'm certain I've never skied anything remotely this soft before, which has me worried.

No change. Same ski. Mount point hasn’t changed either - Line just measures their center in a weird way. I think they measure setback from the center of the sidecut or cambered portions vs the center of the actual ski. It’s still -7 from true center.


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[carlh]

They are -7. They are soft and turny but as long as you have them on edge they can go reasonably fast. They ski they way they sound and like making lots of turns at moderate speeds and general fucking around. I ski mine with my 7yo to make going slow on the blues fun and they are perfect for that. When I switch to my bonafides the difference is very noticeable in all the ways you would expect.

Has the Blade changed since the 20/21 model launched? I have a chance to buy those. There is certainly some confusion about mount point, with the 20/21 model saying -7cm and I think all future models saying -4cm.

I've finally found a place to demo the Blade in Whistler: Premium Rentals, they have the 23/24 version/graphics. On hand flexing, I'm certain I've never skied anything remotely this soft before, which has me worried.

[VTskibum]

Yep, found they get pretty squirrely above 40/45mph, at least in my 170cm length. Definitely great for the fucking around and making lots of turns. Traded with a buddy who skis only Brahmas or a SL race ski, his thoughts were they turn like his SL skis, but easier releasing. That's why they're so good for general screwing around. Tails can be released and slashed and soft slushy groomers they're an absolute blast going edge to edge of a trail

[DigSki]

Yep, found they get pretty squirrely above 40/45mph, at least in my 170cm length. Definitely great for the fucking around and making lots of turns. Traded with a buddy who skis only Brahmas or a SL race ski, his thoughts were they turn like his SL skis, but easier releasing. That's why they're so good for general screwing around. Tails can be released and slashed and soft slushy groomers they're an absolute blast going edge to edge of a trail

Haha. When people ask about them on lifts (happens a LOT) I describe them as slalom skis with training wheels

[VTskibum]

Yep, lots of lift line comments at my small PA ski area about those are huge Powder skis! Wish they were actually mid-80s underfoot, with same radius and flex. Have some actual SL skis coming in to supplement these when it's really firm as they definitely aren't a race ski

[DigSki]

Yep, lots of lift line comments at my small PA ski area about those are huge Powder skis! Wish they were actually mid-80s underfoot, with same radius and flex. Have some actual SL skis coming in to supplement these when it's really firm as they definitely aren't a race ski

Yeah the edge hold isn't great. For Utah groomers they're generally get but get a little skittish arcing on steeper terrain. A buddy has been talking about getting these dimensions made with a FIS SL build to help with the edge hold. We thought maybe we could just epoxy a sheet of stainless to the topsheet to try it out...

[VTskibum]

Interesting idea, though imagine it'd loose much of it's fuck about fun factor that way.

[Mustonen]

It’s a ski I don’t really “get” if it can’t hold a good edge on a firm day. They’re not a bases flat ski. And I can’t always trust their edge. If the snow is fun I’m on something I can zoom around on, which is probably where I’m going wrong. I got these to make unfun snow fun, and that’s not really their bag.

I haven’t given up on them, but I’m about to.

[S.B.]

I have been spending most of my season on my 181 Blades and 165 SL Racetigers since there hasn't been much for fresh snow. The Blades definitely aren't great when it's icy. They don't go across the fall line as violently as SL skis either. When its a little bit soft they are really fun, while not being as much of a chore as race skis. I'm glad to have a pair

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