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April, 2025

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Wood cores + cool idea

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hb_laz
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,886
really random, but ive just been researching a bunch of skis for fun and I was wondering if different types of cores provides different pros and cons. for example, most skis use a poplar core, I know that its cheap, light, and durable. i know on3p uses bamboo. does the different kinds of wood being used give the ski certain properties? also idk if its already a thing, or if its a dumb idea, but is there such thing as like a hybrid core where multiple different types of wood are being used in certain parts of the ski. i know that companies will put things like metal stringers in their skis to add stiffness, but what if u did that with just wood. like what if u made a ski that had some super light wood out in the tips for a lighter swing weight, and then closer to the middle you transition into something that might have a little more pop and stiffness. did I just describe your average ski, or did I come up with a revolutionary groundbreaking idea.
5 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,799
Lol, nothing new.
5 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,799
What you described with "metal stringers" is not a thing, but it is done with carbon to enhance responsiveness (pop) and torsional rigidity. Wagner is a custom shop that has a good article on what materials do. https://www.wagnerskis.com/blogs/journal/ski-buyers-guide-part-4-ski-materials
5 months ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7953 - Karma: 23,099
BallClapperWhat you described with "metal stringers" is not a thing, but it is done with carbon to enhance responsiveness (pop) and torsional rigidity. Wagner is a custom shop that has a good article on what materials do. https://www.wagnerskis.com/blogs/journal/ski-buyers-guide-part-4-ski-materials


Liberty uses or used to use vertically laminated metal strips in some of their skis. It was called "VMT". Not necessarily stringers but I think that might be what op is referencing.
5 months ago
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hb_laz
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,886
BallClapperWhat you described with "metal stringers" is not a thing, but it is done with carbon to enhance responsiveness (pop) and torsional rigidity. Wagner is a custom shop that has a good article on what materials do. https://www.wagnerskis.com/blogs/journal/ski-buyers-guide-part-4-ski-materials


thats what i meant
5 months ago
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hb_laz
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,886
BallClapperLol, nothing new.


examples? do you know like what skis, what they are doing? just curious
5 months ago
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BallClapper
Posts: 3704 - Karma: 16,799
Every ski within the last 20 years.
hb_lazexamples? do you know like what skis, what they are doing? just curious
5 months ago
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hb_laz
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,886
BallClapperEvery ski within the last 20 years.

thanks for the help.
5 months ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5081 - Karma: 18,587
hb_lazexamples? do you know like what skis, what they are doing? just curious


Different companies have incorporated various mixed types of woods, Aspen, poplar, ash, Maple, bamboo(not wood but you know), Paulownia, caruba, etc., to get different characteristics into the flex and dampness feeling.

As far as I know this is not done with different woods at tips and tails because there would have to be finger joints or other joinery which would be a weak point, I will happily stand corrected on this however.
5 months ago
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hb_laz
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,886
Non_State_ActorDifferent companies have incorporated various mixed types of woods, Aspen, poplar, ash, Maple, bamboo(not wood but you know), Paulownia, caruba, etc., to get different characteristics into the flex and dampness feeling.

As far as I know this is not done with different woods at tips and tails because there would have to be finger joints or other joinery which would be a weak point, I will happily stand corrected on this however.


see, that's the kind of response that I'm looking for @BallClapper
5 months ago
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deac
Posts: 853 - Karma: 4,038
bro
5 months ago
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migidimigi
Posts: 453 - Karma: 3,292
Have you ever seen a ski product page on a webstore? They are all raving about the cool wood combos they use.
here is the first faction ski that I clicked flexing their poplar and ash core and how amazing it is https://factionskis.com/products/prodigy-1-capsule-ski
hb_lazexamples? do you know like what skis, what they are doing? just curious
5 months ago
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2784 - Karma: 12,648
I think the idea is good, but i think it can also make the skis more prone to breaking as there are more horizontal breaks in the wood. bamboo have those kind of laminates though so it might be better than i think. On3p’s bamboo core is super nice, Makes the ski very lively
5 months ago
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dylanwood
Posts: 234 - Karma: 1,418
Yeah, this is a common practice that OP obviously didn't know about. But, it's cool to think that this was an original idea to OP in the same way that it was to someone in the ski industry 20+ years ago
5 months ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7953 - Karma: 23,099
A few years ago on here there was some micro company making skis that were all wood including the sidewall and edges.
5 months ago
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