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July, 2025

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Man made skis VS. Machine made skis?

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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
Which one is better?

My dad thinks that machine made skis are better because machines don't make mistakes.

I think man made skis are better because you actually get a feel for what you are doing.
15 years ago
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
inb4 kangbang hate...
15 years ago
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
not cool dude, not cool.
15 years ago
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,856
Every ski is hand made. Do you mean mass production vs small scale?
15 years ago
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
just skis in general.
15 years ago
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Rockhound
Posts: 3432 - Karma: 851
i think he means that,

question: most skis are made using a hydraulic press right? so in a bigger scale, are they just not pressed one at a time? or what
15 years ago
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brice_SKIIN
Posts: 265 - Karma: 14
all company hand make there skiis juast some companys take time and makesure its all done how it should be done wiht a limited number of people and some use more people and do not take there time all the time
15 years ago
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,856
Pneumatic is fairly standard, the hydraulic/pneumatic is used by the bigger guys because they're really expensive, but super nice. Pneumatic pressure, in both cases, is what actually presses on the materials, hydraulic is mostly used for easy positioning.

Most manufacturers press at least a pair at a time. Larger companies, like Elan, can do more at a time. Wider press = more skis = More structural support for press = more expensive.
15 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,549
all this post tells me is that not only are you dumb as fuck....so is your dad.
15 years ago
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
fuck off.
15 years ago
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Barf.
Posts: 1188 - Karma: 123
TThere is human contact throughout the process but in some companies use more machines than others. I can see what your argument is, and I would say that machined skis have a more constant product but you can't beat the quality and attention to detail you get with an entirely handmade/finished ski. Thats why I bought ON3P's. Ferrari's are hand made, and they seem to be good at what they are designed to do.
15 years ago
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shreddenator
Posts: 329 - Karma: 28

Hey.

Why so aggressive? Take it easy. This kids just isn't informed, but he is trying to learn...so ease up.

Listen, mass produced skis are made by faceless corperations focussed on the bottom line (no pun intended).

Smaller companies have craftsmen for most of the manufacturing processes, and these skilled workers want to make money, but they are also pationate about skiing and want to make the skiing experience are fun as possible. They put care, love, and effort into every pair. Can you feel this when you ski? Hell yes! Handmade ski companies can tweak their model easier and the result is some of the most sought after shapes and feature in the industry. Similarly, race cars are always put together by highly skilled mechanics and the parts are produced by elite machinists. It will show on the track.

Skis should be handmade. Whether it is for performance, or just to retain the integrity and soul of our sport, Skis should be made by skiers.

15 years ago
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Bloc_chain
Posts: 26053 - Karma: 4,512
couldn't have put it better my self
15 years ago
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.Midwest
Posts: 493 - Karma: 22
7 posts and you already prove you've got your head on straight. +K
15 years ago
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Kangbang
Posts: 14211 - Karma: 423
.
15 years ago
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ownsthepark
Posts: 246 - Karma: 11
Are armada skis hand made?
15 years ago
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
It really depends on which man is making the skis. If its the guy that runs 333 than machine made.
15 years ago
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openmindportrait
Posts: 1157 - Karma: 818
I wonder this as well
15 years ago
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6750 - Karma: 11,820
Armadas are hand made in our (Atomic) factory in Austria, using the same processes we use on our own skis. Like Ginko said, every ski is hand made. What it comes down to is your production philosophy. For example, some companies produce large batches, randomly pair skis, and sent em out. Other companies like us and ON3P will individually weigh and flex single skis and then match the correct mates up. Attention to detail is what separates the majority of companies.

Whether you are a small company or a large company, it totally depends on your production philosophy. There are tons of small and large companies alike that have poor production philosophies. So even though Atomic is the world's largest ski producer, you would be blown away by how much attention to detail goes into every ski we make.
15 years ago
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
You mean... catch on fire? or... plummet in value? or... make you look like a rich douche?
15 years ago
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