Katana 108 - the resurrerection

Ended up at around +1 when using my touring boots (all I had on this trip was my scarpa Quattro XT). Definitely noticed a difference even with skis on edge between mid foot stance (stable and solid) vs standing on balls of feet and pressuring the shins (felt like it was switching between radii). No big deal, just wondering if others noticed.

For a day where you are doing many laps that start in the steep and deep and finish in moguls, cat tracks and groomers, I’m not sure I can imagine a better ski that just crushes all.


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Few tip shots for the k108 stoke reel.


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^^^Nice work! The perfect conditions for that ski to shine!

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Originally Posted by enginerd

Ended up at around +1 when using my touring boots (all I had on this trip was my scarpa Quattro XT). Definitely noticed a difference even with skis on edge between mid foot stance (stable and solid) vs standing on balls of feet and pressuring the shins (felt like it was switching between radii). No big deal, just wondering if others noticed.

For a day where you are doing many laps that start in the steep and deep and finish in moguls, cat tracks and groomers, I’m not sure I can imagine a better ski that just crushes all.


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I’m of the same opinion. Over the last couple of years I’ve ridden BC Corvus, OG Cochises and Bodacious, Rustler 11s, and Revolt 114s in similar conditions back to back with my Katanas. None of them for me have the versatility to handle whatever conditions one might find. Just spent the day on the Katanas in the John Paul area at Snow Basin. Tight gullies are a bit more work, but a little extra effort is well rewarded.


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These are great spring skis too. They make quick work of terrible refrozen coral reef bumps when you get your sun timing wrong, and they are amazing in slush. Great at speed on groomers too, when nothing else is skiing well.

The more I ski them, the less I notice the “twitchiness” some notice with 3D

Same experience here. I keep grabbing these for any kind of heavy 3D snow whether it’s a wet storm or afternoon over ripe corn. Smash soft bumps or rage through chop. They are just insanely fun to ski hard in heavy conditions where most other skis would be overwhelmed.


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I would prefer a normal, long (27-30m-ish) radius, as well as full low profile rocker like the M4 Mantras or 2011-2014 Katanas.

But these are pretty darn good at blending maneuverability with stability. Not quite as stable as older Katanas, but close. 3D radius makes them pretty much as maneuverable as old Katanas, but cuts into predictability.

Gonna keep them until some full rocker ski replaces them.

Got the M108 184. Coming from a Corvus 188. Thinking the middle line is probably the right move? Thoughts and input? Jester pros will be the choice and skied with xt3 140 and RS/XRi 140.


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Originally Posted by forumskier

I would prefer a normal, long (27-30m-ish) radius, as well as full low profile rocker like the M4 Mantras or 2011-2014 Katanas.

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Check out the Heritage Lab R105 and R110.

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Originally Posted by SoVT Joey

Got the M108 184. Coming from a Corvus 188. Thinking the middle line is probably the right move? Thoughts and input? Jester pros will be the choice and skied with xt3 140 and RS/XRi 140.


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I went for mid line and regretted it. Would definitely go for the back line.

Fuck. Even with a 27.5 boot and coming from a -8 mount previously on the Corvus and I got along with it? I even thought about the front line for a second.


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Originally Posted by chicken feathers

Check out the Heritage Lab R105 and R110.

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I got some FR110s a couple weeks ago. I skied them some laps in January back to back with Katana 108s and loved them. I want R105s next.

I’ve been thinking about adding an M6 Mantra before it’s gone. M7 is scary, entering the 4th dimension.

The 102 is probably a better fit for me, but I want to start expanding the under 100 part of my quiver.

The qualities I enjoy about Katana 108 seem like they’d lend themselves well to a thinner version.

Who here is liking both Katana 108s and M6?

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Originally Posted by Sylvan

Joey, I put 100 days on 191s at +1 (middle), pivots and krypton’s/Dobies and never moved em. Coming from 188 Corvus to the 184, I would go middle or back to maintain some tip. Interested to hear whatcha think. The tighter radius is a little weird at first, but I enjoyed the shit out of em and may grab another pair, until I find the elusive 27mR version with a similar profile that AEV speaks of…

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Well that is the man with the feed back I was looking for. The tip softness definitely has me thinking. Normally I never ask, as all of you know. This pair is different. I’m sending the back line. What’s the worst that can happen, I buy another to drill forward?!? [emoji23]

And now there are revolt 114s on the way. Fuck.


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I’d stay back. The Corvus and the katana are the same category, obviously, but the Corvus feels like “more” ski and I’d pick it almost every time.

I have some 114 in the quiver but only got one end of season day on them.

Django had a pair of 191 m102 (?) that seemed like a more perfect corn/groomer zoomer than 188 Corvus on the few runs I shared with him. Still thinking about grabbing something similar.

If you want to ski the front of the boot, roll it on, stack the bones, and rail… the back line is where you want to be.

I sold my OG M102 because of the multi radius speed wobble… curious to see how you get along with it.

I really like the Katana 108 on 2D snow, although still more turny than I would like.

Not the greatest fan at speed in 3D snow. Partly a mount point problem and partly the weird multi radius problem.

They're still versatile and stable beasts, just not my cup of tea.

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Originally Posted by forumskier

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The 102 is probably a better fit for me, but I want to start expanding the under 100 part of my quiver.

The qualities I enjoy about Katana 108 seem like they’d lend themselves well to a thinner version.

Who here is liking both Katana 108s and M6?

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I have the M6, M102 and K108. K108 is my least favorite of the bunch (although I still enjoy it). M6 vs 102 probably depends more on where you live and where you ski. Lower volume and dryer snow is go M6. PNW or Cali 102.


I find for the K108 shovels big and slow (although make it carve well … but that’s not why I want a 108 ski). The shape of the M6 and M102 feel very natural. Honestly, I could do 80% of my days on the 102 and be very happy. It releases very well, even in deeper and heavier snow and doesn’t give much stability. The M6 I mostly bring out when traveling to lower snow areas. (If we get some fresh snow in the PNW the M102 is significantly better. If there’s no new snow I bring the M6.)

One callout when referring to the M102. The first gen versus updated “M6” style have a different side cut and different feel. The OG M102 is an amazing big mountain ski. The revision is still quite good, but leans a bit more on-piste, IMO.


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Thrilled to have picked up a pair of OG 191's last spring.

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Originally Posted by Sylvan

Never should have sold my pair…coastal low tide specialists.

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I think Bry still has a pair for sale for a great price. I should buy, but I'm leaning toward M6 (or possibly Blackops 98 for a different feel)

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Originally Posted by Sylvan

Never should have sold my pair…coastal low tide specialists.

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Damnit. I plan on selling mine this summer. Hmmm... Maybe I just hate the Baron Demo and the 916 solly down the street would increase my love for the OG M102. Not that I hate it, I don't, but I don't know if I'll ever ski it again. I predict my R110 will replace it for all soft snow needs, and I don't like the M102 on hard snow because the carbon tip is so noisy.

/1st world problems.

Back line it is then. I can’t wait to ski them. And I need to stop trying to make them ski like a Corvus, especially cause there is one still in my possession.

All I really want and crave is a bodacious just slimmed down in width. 10mm off all measurements and still a 186.


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Originally Posted by SoVT Joey

Back line it is then. I can’t wait to ski them. And I need to stop trying to make them ski like a Corvus, especially cause there is one still in my possession.

All I really want and crave is a bodacious just slimmed down in width. 10mm off all measurements and still a 186.


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Did you try FL113 or R110?

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Originally Posted by forumskier

Did you try FL113 or R110?

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No. I wanted to stay down in waist. I thought about the 105, but rolled the dice on the katana.


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