Jeff and Bob didn't test this ski. I looked at the written review and it shows who tested the ski. They prioritize the skis that are high end for ski footage and long reviews. Sometimes they don't test a narrower ski with the same build as a wider one.

@RicketySkiReviews

4 ай бұрын

Oh interesting!

Thanks for the explanation of low-ride/high-ride leverage, inspiring to the movement of the center of mass. Have you ever demoed Deacon 80 and 84? Would like to know your opinion on them, maybe comparing to Fischer Rangers.

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

Have only tried this width, but will try to get on some different widths this coming winter! Thanks for the recommendation that could be a really cool comparison

Great commentary, I have the Deacon 76, it has the Code core FWIW. It's also a race room build with the little uvula fitting on the tip. They're HEAVY, stiff and happen to be my favorite ski in the universe on firm snow conditions. The slight rocker makes them barely versatile enough for off piste mischief. These things are like a stick of dynamite under each foot. But they're gentle when you want gentle and return raw power when you get aggro. I take them everywhere in firm conditions without hesitation, groomers, trees bumps chutes they do whatever I ask for

Appreciate your venture to help folks narrow things down honestly we go down our own rabbit holes when it comes to getting new skis. If im a cautious, but intermediate east coast skier that favors short radius turning over hi speed carving, how important is metal construction or camber vs rocker? I was looking into deacon 80s but im really not sure if its right for me.

@RicketySkiReviews

6 ай бұрын

Metal is more important for stiffness and how much you can load the ski when you flex your boots. For short turns you're looking at turn radius and length. Deacons are definitely responsive, and you may really like them.

Cool insights about leverage

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

Thank you! I was worried it was too far in the weeds.

From the current ski test videos, the only video with skiing (or better: absolutely hauling) i've seen yet is the Stöckli Laser WRT Pro. My guess ist, that by the number of skis they tested for this season, they just simply couldn't fit filming in aswell... But i don't know how big their crew is etc.

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

probably true

Way back in 2018 I owned a pair of the rtm 84-V-werks, i found that an amazing all round ski, later bought the rtm-86, and ski know on the Kendo 88. Völkl used to be in my mind a one of the best ski manufacturers, but find the rest of the industry has really raised the bar and offers some equally or better options, my brother skis only on Stöckli but he skis over in Europe mainly groomed runs. Would like to give Atomic Maverick a try!

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

They're an amazing ski I love them. Thanks for sharing! I felt the same way about Volkl When it came to race skis from 2004-2007 until Rossignol and Blizzard stepped up.

I've just bought the kendo 88s (2023) pretty much on the back of the ski essentials reviews (no opportunity to test in UK; ski France mainly groomers and a minimal off piste if the conditions are good). I'd be interested in your opinions on those - good one to do a video on, as they really seem to love them? I've been bingeing your videos and really value your down to earth opinion. I've also got a good return period, in case I've made a mistake

@EggsTeaSea

9 ай бұрын

For European skiing, since it's mostly long piste trails as far as I know, the Kendo is a great ski. You could have gone narrower if you really wanted, but I thoroughly enjoyed the half day I spent on them. They work well enough off piste in normal resort conditions. They reward good technique, carve nicely, and are light (at least compared to what I ski normally) but composed. I liked the Mantra more personally because it's "more ski" and heavier and I mainly ski off piste. If you REALLY hate them you can just sell them but I really doubt you wouldn't like them as long as you didnt get them a size too long. (whatever your normal ski length is should be fine).

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

Egg's is right on the money! I have not personally tried the Kendo so I can't really recommend them one way or the other. But I liked the Mantra's alot, and I'm sure you'll love your kendos. Worse case scenario, you sell them and try something else. Sorry I can't provide more insight. Kendo is top of my list for this coming winter so hoping to have a review up on this page come winter time. Thanks for watching and the nice comment!

@thomasmedeiros5722

8 ай бұрын

I have worked in the ski industry for decades. One benefit is getting to ski lots of brands and models. The Volkl Kendo 88 updated 23 version is one of the top models in it’s category. The 3D Radius, Tailored Titanal frame and Tailored a carbon Tip have enhanced the ski’s performance. It on my wish list. Currently in my personal quiver the Deacon 84 (23) and Blizzard Brahma 88 Trueblend Wood Core (21) have been my daily drivers for our typical firm New England snow conditions. If you’re looking for a narrower Volkl for Europe I recommend the Deacon 76 or 76 Master which have a WC Race Plate. I also like the Blizzard Thunderbird 15 WB for carving on groomed slopes or recreation racing.

Elliott you are en fuego at the moment! I live in Europe… some areas are already open in Switzerland 😊⛷

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

You're gonna have your hands full. SE just uploaded ~350+ reviews of 2024 skis! And while I'd probably forgo a purchase of Faction Prodigy 2.0's, I might consider to Dancer 2's. Their review of this ski sounds similar to yours of the Atomic Maverick 95TI. Looking for a ski still pretty light, poppy, and nimble like an all wood ski i.e. the Prodigy 2.0, but with a bit more meat. I feel like Faction and Atomic make pretty snappy skis depending on the model whereas Volkl and Blizzard models tend to run a bit damper regardless of similarities/ differences in construction. Their reviews showed Jeff skiing on the Blizzards and Atomics but not the Factions.

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

It's so funny how these things change over the years. When Blizzard first made their return to the race world years ago, I would have described them more as a springy ski, but things certainly change! I am learning more and more, that just when I think I know what to expect from a brand they will change their skis completely. Thanks for the recommendation. Yes I've seen lots of new content from SE! Should be plenty to get me through to winter!

What’s your opinion on deacon 84 werks?

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

Have not tried the 84, but will keep an eye out!

I have the old RTM 81, and the Deacon 79 it's a kind of... left the bleh feeling. BTW, in German V is pronounced like F and ö closer to 'oe' - something like Felkl.

@RicketySkiReviews

5 ай бұрын

Love the authentic pronunciation thank you!

@wisecoonie

5 ай бұрын

No, the German “V” is pronounced “Vow”, not “F” 🙄 so V-Werks is pronounced “vow verks”.

Your big problem with them is that they don’t to all the cool things in their short form video reviews as they do in their long form video reviews????????? 🤯 Come on man, if the ski only had a graphics change, than scroll further back and click on their long form review for crying out loud 🙄

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

I would love to review their skiing on it, 2/2 of the videos I found had no skiing for this ski in this year. I couldn't find it, but maybe I missed it. Do you have a link I could watch for the '21 model?

No respect for skis anymore!

I understand the want for on snow footage, but there’s a reason why your not taking your own advice and showing your footage. It takes a crew, time, terrain, conditions, all of which are limited resources. Ski essentials covers a lot skis don’t blame them when they prioritize their work. pretend it’s a review on a podcast. You can test more skis when you don’t need to coordinate with a camera guy and editor.

@RicketySkiReviews

9 ай бұрын

I think you have a good point. But it's a bit overshadowed by the fact that I do have footage of myself skiing this ski, you can see it here:kzread.info/dash/bejne/fHmcmNCJcaSul7w.htmlsi=D2kX0rMKmvVqmR6- I was also digging and both of the videos I could find of theirs for that year were not on snow. I like their reviews, but I felt like it was worth pointing out at least.