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Replace my Daemons? (What, if so?)

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druseph33
Posts: 137 - Karma: 252
Been riding on a pair of 171 Black Crow Daemons for a couple seasons now: have gotten a significant amount of use out of them, but still in decent shape (several expected topsheet scratches/dings; one base treatment done due to large scratch).
Bought a pair of 184 Moment Wildcats this season to have a more dedicated powder tool for those deep days, but it turns out I love them: have only ridden them since and they are most likely going to become my daily next season.

Since the Wildcat's would be my primary ski, I would only want to bust out my thinner skis (the Daemon's) on low coverage/rock days, icy mornings in the spring, or maybe dedicated groomer days (park perhaps?). The problem there is that the Daemon is pretty god awful at holding an edge on ice/hardpack, and I am not a fan of how it feels on rails and jibs/jumps.
Also, after jumping from a 171 to a 184, I feel that my Daemons are now a bit to short for my liking.

What Do I Do?
Sell/Trade the Daemons for a similar waste width ski that holds an edge on hardpack better and maybe feels better in the park?
I have a few skis in mind and would also like some suggestions if this is this case

Keep the Daemons, work with them more, and use them mostly as rock skis?
Possible: I would just have to be careful with the harder stuff and maybe mess with my technique?

Keep the Daemons, but find a way to get a new/different pair in a larger size?
Could this help?

Keep the Daemons as rock skis, buy a new ski for hardpack/ice/groomers?
Obviously the least cost effective option, but who doesn't like adding to the quiver?

**This thread was edited on Apr 17th 2019 at 1:10:38pm

**This thread was edited on Apr 17th 2019 at 1:11:04pm

**This thread was edited on Apr 17th 2019 at 1:11:56pm
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Apr 17 2019 1:09PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 10,931
Get something mid-90's with camber for low tide/hardpack. Buy used since it'll be getting much less use than your wildcat you don't need to spend a ton. Enforcer 93, Kendo, Brahma come to mind. Brahma for groomers, Kendo for bumps, Enforcer for a bit of both.
Apr 17 2019 2:08PM
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druseph33
Posts: 137 - Karma: 252
-eREKTion-Get something mid-90's with camber for low tide/hardpack. Buy used since it'll be getting much less use than your wildcat you don't need to spend a ton. Enforcer 93, Kendo, Brahma come to mind. Brahma for groomers, Kendo for bumps, Enforcer for a bit of both.


Is that the width I should be going for (as opposed to something near 100)? Should have mentioned I ski in the Sierras primarily, so even on low tide days I'd be dipping off the groomers to go explore sometimes. Something like a 93 waste will cut it for that?
Apr 17 2019 2:31PM
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patagonialuke
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 8,673
Lots of good options that could work. Seeing as you like the Wildcat, might be good to go with something a bit more playful:

J Skis Masterblaster: Nice and damp but more playful than a Bonafide, Brahma, Enforcer 93, Kendo, etc. Really fun ski for firm days.

Fischer Ranger 102 FR (or 94 FR): More energetic than the Masterblaster and a bit better edge hold, not quite as damp.

Moment PB&J: Very similar design to the Wildcat, so it should feel very familiar. Not sure about its performance on straight-up ice, but I don't mind the Wildcat on firm snow, so I figure the PB&J should be good.
Apr 17 2019 2:58PM
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druseph33
Posts: 137 - Karma: 252
patagonialukeLots of good options that could work. Seeing as you like the Wildcat, might be good to go with something a bit more playful:

J Skis Masterblaster: Nice and damp but more playful than a Bonafide, Brahma, Enforcer 93, Kendo, etc. Really fun ski for firm days.

Fischer Ranger 102 FR (or 94 FR): More energetic than the Masterblaster and a bit better edge hold, not quite as damp.

Moment PB&J: Very similar design to the Wildcat, so it should feel very familiar. Not sure about its performance on straight-up ice, but I don't mind the Wildcat on firm snow, so I figure the PB&J should be good.


I've always liked jskis, wish I could find a place to demo them. Will have to check out the Masterblasters though: maybe I can find someone local with a pair that is looking to swap/sell.

Will definitely give the Ranger a look,as edge hold is always good on a ski like this.

I have heard tons of good about the PB&Js, was honestly thinking of them as my option, AND they're semi-local for me so demoing could actually be an option......

My only issue with all of these is that they aren't on sale anywhere (or in the Masterblaster's case are just plain sold out in my size). While that isn't a breaking point since I will also be looking for used skis, it would have been nice to have the option to take advantage of Spring sales haha

**This post was edited on Apr 17th 2019 at 5:20:39pm
Apr 17 2019 3:53PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 10,931
druseph33Is that the width I should be going for (as opposed to something near 100)? Should have mentioned I ski in the Sierras primarily, so even on low tide days I'd be dipping off the groomers to go explore sometimes. Something like a 93 waste will cut it for that?


I daily Wildcat's in the Sierras and I've given a lot of thought to getting a narrower all mountain ski to complement it. Here's my thinking; I really really like the Wildcat in a huge range of conditions. Seriously, if it's even the slightest bit soft out, I'm on Wildcats. So, when would I use my hypothetical narrower ski? When the conditions are fucking terrible. If the conditions are terrible, hard, variable, or all-around nasty do I want 100mm underfoot? Personally, I don't think so. If the conditions suck do I need something loose or playful? No, I need something that's stable and can be skied hard in gross snow.

I guess it comes down to how often you anticipate reaching for your Wildcat's. It sounds like you've already moved away from using your current 100mm underfoot ski so why get a different one? I'm probably going to buy a narrower ski this summer and it'll probably be the Enforcer 93 because I like it's hard snow performance. I think you're looking for something similar to what I am, so go out and demo a whole bunch of ~90mm metal laminate all mountain skis. I think it's really the best complement to the Wildcat.
Apr 17 2019 10:58PM
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druseph33
Posts: 137 - Karma: 252
-eREKTion-I daily Wildcat's in the Sierras and I've given a lot of thought to getting a narrower all mountain ski to complement it. Here's my thinking; I really really like the Wildcat in a huge range of conditions. Seriously, if it's even the slightest bit soft out, I'm on Wildcats. So, when would I use my hypothetical narrower ski? When the conditions are fucking terrible. If the conditions are terrible, hard, variable, or all-around nasty do I want 100mm underfoot? Personally, I don't think so. If the conditions suck do I need something loose or playful? No, I need something that's stable and can be skied hard in gross snow.

I guess it comes down to how often you anticipate reaching for your Wildcat's. It sounds like you've already moved away from using your current 100mm underfoot ski so why get a different one? I'm probably going to buy a narrower ski this summer and it'll probably be the Enforcer 93 because I like it's hard snow performance. I think you're looking for something similar to what I am, so go out and demo a whole bunch of ~90mm metal laminate all mountain skis. I think it's really the best complement to the Wildcat.


HA you kind of hit the nail on the head actually. Seems we're both in a similar situation when it comes to skiing need: would probably only be busting out the narrower ski in the very beginning of the season, mornings when its icy, or if its been a really bad season and hasn't snowed for a while.

I think will give those 93s and similar a try.

Now, with all that in mind, what do you think of the earlier suggested J skis Masterblaster for this? 96 waste, titanal laminate, damp, seems pretty stiff (but not super stiff): appears to be a perfect sweet spot no? Or do think the 96 waste is getting too close to 100?

**This post was edited on Apr 18th 2019 at 8:52:11pm
Apr 18 2019 12:59PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1626 - Karma: 10,931
druseph33Now, with all that in mind, what do you think of the earlier suggested J skis Masterblaster for this? 96 waste, titanal laminate, damp, seems pretty stiff (but not super stiff): appears to be a perfect sweet spot no? Or do think the 96 waste is getting too close to 100?

Never skied the Masterblaster but I've heard nothing but good things. Honestly, the biggest reason I'm leaning towards the Nordica is how easy they are to find used. I'm not trying to spend a ton on a ski I'll use less than 20% of my days on snow.
Apr 19 2019 12:23AM
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druseph33
Posts: 137 - Karma: 252
-eREKTion-Never skied the Masterblaster but I've heard nothing but good things. Honestly, the biggest reason I'm leaning towards the Nordica is how easy they are to find used. I'm not trying to spend a ton on a ski I'll use less than 20% of my days on snow.


Yeah that masterblaster seems like a really solid ski in this category, but it is gonna be harder to find used than the others.

Guess I'll keep an eye on various websites and what not and see what I can rustle up. Do you think I should be looking at $400 or $500 with bindings you think? Or think I can find cheaper? Never bought used before

**This post was edited on Apr 19th 2019 at 2:03:46am
Apr 19 2019 1:29AM
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