Katana 108 - the resurrerection

[SnakeMagnet]

Those skis are almost literally next door and i've been watching it for a week. The ad calling them backcountry skis always provides a chuckle. What a price..

But it's not 2013. I'll reasonably overpay for a not-trashed 184 of that year at this point if the shipping isn't evil. Even consider a 191. That's my late-to-the-party unicorn.

[Shorty_J]

So look who rocked my (albeit ladies sized 177cm) Katanas all day today... this 145 pound ball of gorgeous intermediate skier.

How many times did this ski punish her? Zero. Usual skis are 172cm salomon qst 98.

These are not demanding skis and can go as slow or as fast as you want.

[Bandit Man]

So look who rocked my (albeit ladies sized 177cm) Katanas all day today... this 145 pound ball of gorgeous intermediate skier.

How many times did this ski punish her? Zero. Usual skis are 172cm salomon qst 98.

These are not demanding skis and can go as slow or as fast as you want.

When are you getting some 184’s so she can have the 177’s?

[Shorty_J]

When are you getting some 184’s so she can have the 177’s?

You make good points.

That was not the intention of this experiment but it may be the beneficial side effect.

[1000-oaks]

For you guys who have skied both the K108 and the M102 and say it doesn't make sense to have both models in the same length, would it makes more sense to have the 184 K108 and the 177 M102 instead, if you're someone who normally skis ~180? That would get you two "same-same but different" skis. (I already have the 177 M102.)

[Mustonen]

I haven’t skied the M102, but I’d probably go the other way with it. K108 is soft chop and tight spaces, M102 is firm chop and open spaces.

[Bandit Man]

For you guys who have skied both the K108 and the M102 and say it doesn't make sense to have both models in the same length, would it makes more sense to have the 184 K108 and the 177 M102 instead, if you're someone who normally skis ~180? That would get you two "same-same but different" skis. (I already have the 177 M102.)

I could see you enjoying a 184 K108 at a place like Mammoth. But I could also see you wishing you got a 184 M102, since it is the more versatile of the two.

I own the 184 in both. Last year when we had softer snow more often, I favored the K108. This year has been more and longer high-pressure spells and I have skied the M102 more.

[bry]

I can see both points. I will likely sell my M102s the end of this season having really become one with some B97s this year, but immediately thought hey there's an opportunity for some K108s to sneak back into the quiver. Or even the 88s/Kendos which everyone I know who has skied em is really impressed. Really dialed line they've got.

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[Beder]

I own both the M and K in a 184 and would have a hard time giving up one over the other.

In December when it snowed every day I found myself on the Katana even when it was so deep I normally would have been on a 118. It's just so capable in powder.

Last week I took both to Targhee. Skied the M102 before the storm and the Katana during and after.

[chris_the_wrench]

I really like my 191 M102s and always looked at the Katana as a possible next ski. Problem I have is my past few Mantras(m102s, m5s) never last a full season before the titanal starts to delaminate and then eventually totally delams.

[dub2]

Really been enjoying the K108s in spring conditions. Loose enough, but still have backbone.

Also, FWIW, I've felt like the 177 is plenty of ski at 150 lbs. I am used to more progressively mounted and tapered skis, though.

[kc_7777]

Urban Alpine in Squamish has this year’s K108s for $599CDN (177 and 184). Which is less than I sold my never-skied, 1 mount same 2022 K108s for.

I’ve considered buying them again….for no other reason than to initiate a drunk Gaijin rant.

[ticketchecker]

I’ve considered buying them again….for no other reason than to initiate a drunk Gaijin rant.

that logic pencils out, do it

[cstefanic]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18533122639...QAAOSwZ3ZiJ~AQ

Good price on some big boy skis and bindings.

[Sylvan]

Urban Alpine in Squamish has this year’s K108s for $599CDN.

Thanks for this KC; just grabbed a 191. Urban Alpine is a solid resource. Search for the unicorn continues.

[yeahman]

Interesting feedback on the M102. I sold mine a few weeks ago. I liked them but (like you) I need a 108 ski as a daily driver based on where I ski. And I need good soft snow performance, which the M102 lacked IMO, it's not awful but just a little more tip diving than what I wanted. That's also where I wonder if the K108 might not work well for me. Even though it's wider underfoot than the 102, I feel like I desire more early rise and tip rocker. I'd like to try them though and see how they feel. Next season for sure I'll demo some.

[1000-oaks]

Just compared 2022 177 M102 to 2022 177 K108, and oddly the M102 is 1cm longer, if someone is on the fence on length.

[Lord Thomas]

Sylvan,

I want to hear the full head to head compro of those two boards. They are at the top of my to get list in this category.

[kc_7777]

I haven’t skied the M102, but I’d probably go the other way with it. K108 is soft chop and tight spaces, M102 is firm chop and open spaces.

This. K108 vs M102

I had the 2020 M102 for a bit and I wasn’t a fan of it in super tight spots on Blackcomb. It ripped groomers. Never really skied it in wide open stuff, and actually never skied it at Whistler. Always Blackcomb.

Currently have 8 other skis in the quiver that work well in tight spots.

Got a pair of Pivot 18s that are ski-less. Do I wait for the Unleashed 108…which will be like all my other skis? Or….I have 2022 K108s on my radar again.

Funny but they’re actually $30 cheaper than what I sold my un-skied 2022s for back in January. That’s a +4.3% return. Stock markets are down ~10% since January. So I’ve made more money selling a ski and re-buying it versus being in stocks. I love this kind of math.

Paging Gaijin to the drunk rant phone…

[gaijin]

Got a pair of Pivot 18s that are ski-less. Do I wait for the Unleashed 108…which will be like all my other skis? Or….I have 2022 K108s on my radar again.

Funny but they’re actually $30 cheaper than what I sold my un-skied 2022s for back in January. That’s a +4.3% return. Stock markets are down ~10% since January.

Paging Gaijin to the drunk rant phone…

Nah, I'll mostly let it slide.

You don't want the 2020 version, though, if this is for a potential melt/freeze quiver spot. I find the carbon tip to be painful on the ears in my M102. I assume the K108 is the same.

And since you have so many skis in that category, you should put that Pivot on a FL113 from Marshal. Something to drift that wind-buff with. What's your 110-115 range look like?

On a side note, I made 20% transferring the majority of my US investments to Japanese Yen last month. My US stocks were just beginning to descend but other exchanges were going up. Yen is at its lowest point that I've seen in 18 years. Instead of skis, you should be buying yen. A 20% increase in a month after a fairly stagnant 18 years is a huge number. Then, when your US preferred stocks begin their rebound, maybe the yen will be stronger, too, for a sell... maybe. The yen might be a slower recovery rate, though. I don't doubt it could linger 125:1 or 130:1 for another year.

You made 4% from encouraging my last rant. So maybe I'm wrong again. I have been known to lose large amounts of capital. But being fluid since Ukraine happened proved worth while.

[Bandit Man]

On the topic of the “pingy”’carbon tips, I only found that to be the case on my 184 M102’s from 2020. I’ve since owned three pairs of K108’s (two 184’s, one 191), two M102’s from 2021 (184 and 191), and a 184 M6 and none of those had the same pingy sound. It was gone. But maybe that sample size isn’t enough for some. YMMV.

[gaijin]

Well, it’s my 184 demo M102 from 2020 that are pingy, so…. I trust you for sure.


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[kc_7777]

Gaijin - glad you are making some money and are more liquid. I think it’s going to be a rough summer for stocks, then real estate. The good times of easy monetary policy are over for a while.

I’m looking at the 2022 K108 or MB108Ti. I’ve got all summer to decide.

[dub2]

Anyone have an interest in a pair of 177s? Really good condition, skied them probably 10 times last year. Mounted with wardens at 305, could sell flat or with bindings.

Doing some summer quiver pondering, and while I really enjoy the k108s, might try something with a slightly more progressive mount point for next season in this width. Wouldn't hate keeping them but want to see if there is any interest.

[bry]

Sylvan,

I want to hear the full head to head compro of those two boards. They are at the top of my to get list in this category.

I love the squads. They and the LP105s are two pair of skis I have backups for. I love the 191 K108 my only complaint was on me... in retrospect knowing what I know now I would have tried them forward two or three cm fwd, mix it up and complement those other two skis and the M102s too at the time.

K108s felt to me to be from the future, the whole line is dialed. But I've been enjoying a few skis now around -8. Tester looks to have his way forward I wonder if that helps stay ahead of where the sidecut tightens up.

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