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Bacon vs Blog vs other ~110 waist skis

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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
Hello, my name is Jake and I ski in Summit County (Keystone, Breck, A-Basin). I am an advanced type 3+ skier that skis 20% groomers, 30% steeps/bumps/chunder, 30% pow, and 10% park. I am looking to decrease the groomers and increase the pow (and increase the park but that's not what i'm looking for in this ski).What I'm looking for in this future pair of skis is a ski that performs in powder mostly, then trees, then steeps, then groomers. I like buttering off of rollers and threading through trees. I would like to do more natural pow jibs, general pow skiing, and general all mountain pow. The type of skiing that most inspires me is Eric Pollard. I am 16, 5'9", 140 pounds. I am not sure on my budget yet, however these skis will most definitely be bought on the Evo.com or Backcountry.com outlet.

Why the Sir Francis Bacon is appealing to me:
Mid-fat waist
Early rise/camber profile
Early taper
Thin tip

Why the SFB is unappealing:
I have heard of issues with diecut bases (not necessarily Line)
Sidewall (or lack of sidewall/cap hybrid)
A little bit more expensive than the Blogs


Why the Blog is appealing:
Mid-fat
rocker/camber profile
2 year warranty with Atomic bindings
less expensive than the Bacon's

Why the blog is unappealing:
Heard of excessive chattering problems


The Bacon's would be mounted with FKS 140/Pivot 14's
The blogs would be mounted with Atomic FFG 14 team's

any other suggestions for ~110 waist skis would be appreciated
Dec 26 2012 1:27AM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,484
I just got the new 12/13 Blogs for this year. Haven't used them let but I will be for the next 2 weeks!
Dec 26 2012 1:50AM
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Kickerzzz
Posts: 234 - Karma: 62
This is my second season on Blogs. Two days ago I was ripping through 1 to 2 feet of pow with ease. Blogs are brilliant off-piste and their relatively symmetrical shape makes them fun to jib around with.

They also work in the park for jumps but are a little heavy for spins etc. Never hit rails with them. But, yeah, they do chatter on bumped-out hardpack, although on fresh corduroy, handling is acceptable.

I'm keen myself to check out SFB, but at the same time, I have no regrets with the Blog as an off-piste war machine. Will be taking them to Niseko next month >:-)

You might want to check out the Atomic Automatic too, and Volkl Gotama if you want something more directional. The Gotama kills it for charging.
Dec 26 2012 2:08AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Stiff or soft flex a consideration at all?
Dec 26 2012 2:15AM
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dadunda
Posts: 447 - Karma: 219
inb4 On3p Jeffrey.

But actually though, I've heard the Jeffrey is awesome. Check it out.
Dec 26 2012 2:17AM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
I was looking at the exact same skis this summer. I was tempted to get the blogs because of the price. I heard reviews of people saying the blogs are lifeless, so that was a no go. I ended up buying 186 ON3P Jeffreys. They are so much more fun than I ever thought a ski could be. They are incredible on hardpack, amazing in any kind of fresh snow. I skied them a ton on pre season keystone groomers, then got them into some fresh in Colorado, then this past weekend skied 2+ feet of powder in Tahoe on them. Killed every condition. They don't have a speed limit, the turns are the perfect size, you can point them when you want, do billy goat turns in steep trees, the list goes on. I can't imagine being on any other ski at this point.

Get the ON3P Jeffrey. Sure, it is a bit more expensive than the bacon, but work a few extra shifts to cover it.You are paying for a hand made pair of skis made in the US. It will change the way you ski. Too much fun.
Dec 26 2012 4:27AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
For what its worth, the bacons are unexpectedly stiff. I have no idea how the blogs are, but I would definitely consider stiffness when making your decision.

That being said, the bacons are an amazing all around ski. Pretty damn stable at high speeds but also make really short turns on groomers/in the trees due to the turn radius. Buttering is possible just tougher than you'd expect from a ski made by pollard. They do fine in the park, a little "heavier/large" feeling than something like a blend or lizzie but as long as you aren't into doing 630's all day, they're fine.

I'd like to here more about the blogs from someone has skied them and the bacons.
Dec 26 2012 11:34AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
been riding my 11/12 blogs for over a year now and I STILL love them to death. Only reason I didn't get this years is because the graphics are super fugly. I doubt I will ever sell them, and that's saying a lot for me since I work in a shop and get ridiculous deals on new gear. I just love the way they perform for being such a soft ski. They are not the most ridiculously poppy skis as they have a slightly damper flex than say JJ's or Bacons, but that little extra dampness really helps them not to fold up at super high speeds or wheelie out real bad on landings. I feel more confident charging on these than almost any other similar ski that has a stiffer flex than the blog for that reason. But then when I wanna get super playful that soft flex pokes it's head out again and let's you move around freely. Before I bought them I demo'd bacons and JJ's and I picked these for a simple reason, they "excel" at any condition whereas the other two only seemed to "handle" most terrain, if that makes any sense. However, they are slightly less poppy, so keep that in mind although as long as you're not a whimp that shouldnt be an issue.

Not to mention the price difference is crazy for a far equally superior ski. I got mine for practically nothing.
Dec 26 2012 11:44AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
^oh, and I forgot to mention I HATE damp skis (i.e. icelantic, fatypus, etc) but the dampness in the blog is completely different and should not be thought of as a "damp" ski by any means
Dec 26 2012 11:45AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I dont know weather i want a stiff ski or a soft ski. Which of the skis, SFB, Blog, Jeffrey are stiff, which are soft? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a stiff ski or a soft ski? Also what does it mean to be a damp ski?

Trust me, iv'e dreamed about on3p but didnt include it in my list because of the difficulty of possibly being able to find it on outlet in the correct size
Dec 26 2012 12:07PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
Just looked at the "how to fix a bad core shot" thread, and was wondering how much thicker and stronger are on3p bases and edges to other skis?

And also can anyone answer my question on durability of diecut bases vs just plain clear bases with a graphic underneath
Dec 26 2012 12:43PM
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AntEater
Posts: 207 - Karma: 45
I got this years Bacon's and love them. They are really a one ski quiver. They are fairly soft, which I like a lot and seem very nimble in the trees. I haven't skied them in really deep snow but I took them out in about a foot of fresh and they were nothing short of amazing. I have heard some complain of chatter on the groomers, and I was a little wary of it. I didn't experience too much chatter at speed, and when i did it wasn't terribly hard to control. I took these skis through the park for a few laps and they killed it there too. I would say go with the Bacon's if you want a softer ski that can jib around anything on the mountain.

Also check out the Jeffrey's, have heard amazing things about them and really really want to try those as well as pretty much every ON3P ski out there.
Dec 26 2012 1:07PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
If this years bacons are the same as last year, which im pretty sure are, they are not soft.
Dec 26 2012 1:34PM
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Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
They changed a lot of things about the design for this year. One of those things was making the ski stiffer.
Dec 26 2012 2:32PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
on3p bases are far superior to any other ski i've owned. i've skied over multiple rocks with my caylors and not a scratch has been made on them yet.


Dec 26 2012 2:40PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
In order of stiff to soft, Jeffrey, SFB, Blog.

The blog flex is soft, and continues to be soft further in the flex.
SFB is a little soft at first, then ramps up
Jeffrey is a bit stiffer at first, then also ramps up.

Jeffrey has the most rocker, then the blog, then the SFB.

Stiff vs soft: For me, I like a bit stiffer skis. Stiff doesn't mean skiing on a 2x4. It just takes more effort to get the ski to flex really deep, which is fine with me. I was on armada ARV's last year, absolute noodles. Very fun to mess around on, but you could find the speed limit very quickly. It all depends on what you want to ski. I wouldn't call the Jeffrey an incredibly stiff ski, it is just stiffer than other skis like it. Medium-Stiff I guess.

Turn radius should be another thing you should look at. The SFB is 17m, while the Jeffrey is 25m. Depends on what kind of turns you like making, and again, what you are skiing.
Dec 26 2012 4:14PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I meant to say 5'10" 130lbs
Dec 26 2012 4:42PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
So a softer ski is more for just dicking around, a stiffer ski is more for charging? I do like to just mess around a lot of the time, but i need my ski to able to handle bombing the groomer to lift that will acces my favorite steep, hard charging runs. I hope that makes sense.

Also due to my light weight will the Jeffrey's be stiff, the SFB's be mid-stiff, and the Blog's be medium?
Dec 26 2012 4:45PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
If the turn radius is so long, how do the Jefferys do in the trees. I've heard the Bacons do great in the trees

and sorry for the triple post
Dec 26 2012 4:47PM
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IDMT_BC024
Posts: 224 - Karma: 129
A damp ski is more stable and smooth feeling, doesn't get deflected as much in crud, and reduces the force transmitted to your legs by bumps. However damp skis usually aren't as easy to throw around, don't give as much edge feel, and are usually heavier so they don't feel as playful especially in the air.

Dec 26 2012 4:50PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
What you just described is pretty on point as far as stiffness goes. My jeffreys are super playful still with the amount of rocker that they have. It is a weird ski to describe, but I love them more than anything.

Jeffreys can make super quick billy goat turns in the trees. The turn radius isn't too huge. 30+ wouldn't be too good in the trees. I am partial to Jeffreys, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But I decided to buy them over the SFB and the Blog...so, yeah. They are great.
Dec 26 2012 4:58PM
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alpinelife
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
My Bacons are a little soft, so if you way more than 170 and are a charger, look else where. Other than that, I love mine. The reduced swing weight due to the thin tip is phenomenal.
Dec 26 2012 6:44PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Moment Belafonte.
Dec 26 2012 7:20PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
how much do you weigh and how tall are you
Dec 26 2012 7:51PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
I'm 5'10" 185.
Dec 26 2012 8:14PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
So what are the cons of the jeffreys. What are the cons of the bacons. and the cons of he blogs
Dec 26 2012 11:02PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
bump
Dec 27 2012 8:26PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
If you like soft skis they'll take some getting used to. We're close to sold out on many sizes too at the factory.
Dec 27 2012 9:09PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
you're missing 10%
Dec 27 2012 9:22PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
but I think go with the jeffreys, an amazing ski
Dec 27 2012 9:29PM
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Randy_Marsh
Posts: 253 - Karma: 35
I love my bacons (from 2011). When I got them, I had them mounted with griffons and skied it as an all mountain, but even took it into the park and hit rails. Then, last year I mounted them with barons and skied pow and did short backcountry tours. Definitely a one ski quiver.
Dec 27 2012 9:37PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I guess I am...

20% groomers, 40% steeps/bumps/chunder, 30% pow, and 10% park
Dec 27 2012 10:03PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
+k for actually answering everyone's replies/questions
Dec 27 2012 10:31PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
Can anyone answer to if clear bases are more durable than die-cut bases?
Dec 27 2012 10:42PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
Is that the 2011/2012 model or the 2010/2011 because the 10/11 is 115 underfoot and the 11/12 is 108 i believe. the 11/12 is also the same as this year's (2012/2013).

2010/2011
Click for larger image

2011/2012
Click for larger image

The 10/11 Bacons were some of the sexiest graphics though. I think my favorite graphics would have to be (in this order) 2013 Opus, 2011 SFB, 2012 SFB

Dec 27 2012 10:55PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
There are many types of base material that are clear, many types of bases are die cut as well. Specific skis in question is probably the best way to ask.
Dec 27 2012 11:02PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I'm not sure about specific skis, but I've heard that die cut bases can peel. i'm sorry if i'm not making sense.

this is what i'm thinking of when i say a die cut base
Click for larger image

Dec 27 2012 11:22PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
I've never personally seen major issues with a die cut or a multiple piece base and have only heard of a few rare ocassions of them failing. From what I understand is that they fit super tight together, and if the materials are left separated for long periods of time when doing a colour-swap base, they won't fit together anymore because they're such a tight fit. Albeit a solid one piece clear base or dye-sublimated or single colour base will always be more durable.

But honestly, I think the difference between the two styles of base, and how widely used both are, I think it's a negligible factor when shopping for skis, especially a ski that won't be seeing rail abuse.

Stoked on this thread BTW, loads of legit discussion, good example of what I'd like to see more of in GT.
Dec 27 2012 11:32PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
thank you, everyone in this thread has been really helpful.
+k for all
Dec 27 2012 11:37PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Can't say for sure which is more durable, but I've hit some magnificent pieces of rock on my jeffreys, and every time I inspect, I am shocked to see that there is barely a scratch instead of a 6 inch core shot.
Dec 28 2012 1:52AM
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Session
Posts: 5372 - Karma: 22,047
I am a complete ON3P whore. But I have owned The Bacon, Blog, and Jeffery.

The Jeffery is without a doubt the more competent of the 3. The others just felt like toys.

Durability of the ON3P base is one of the best of any brands I have tried. Every day I hit some shit, and every time I get to the car I'm struggling to find even a scratch on the bases. You get what you pay for with ON3P. They aren't looking to cheap out, they are just looking to build badass ski's.
Dec 28 2012 10:42AM
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zwiefel12
Posts: 173 - Karma: 81

SFB is unchanged from 12' to the new 13' model except for one tiny tiny thing... They moved the recomended mount from -2 to -2.5. Also the Bacon Has full Sidewall. They did not put the half side half cap on the bacons or opus. They did make that change to the Influence line, prophet line and the cronics and blends etc.

When I demoed the bacons I really really liked them. Except I was looking for something a little bigger and more big mountain so I ended up with the Influence 115. Although it was a really really hard decision not to buy the bacons because of how great they really handle every terrain. Havent ridden the other skis like the Jeffery or the Blog, but I personally like the dimensions of the bacon a little more.

Dec 28 2012 5:58PM
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Randy_Marsh
Posts: 253 - Karma: 35
The 10/11. One of my favorite skis to date. sorry for the confusion. I haven't ridden any other bacons, but a friend has the 11/12s and claims they're even better (for whatever that's worth).
Dec 28 2012 6:45PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
Well thanks everybody. It looks like I will be going for the Jeffreys
Dec 28 2012 7:23PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Solid choice. I don't think you can really go wrong with ON3P. As you've probably gathered from the ON3P thanks thread, the whole crew is pretty stellar and putting out a banger product, all while being the upmost helpful (is that even good English?) anyways man, enjoy them!
Dec 28 2012 7:54PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
YAY! Welcome to the ON3P stoke train. It's a fun train to be on.
Dec 28 2012 8:04PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Excellent choice! What size?

I'm 5'9" and have been skiing 186 Jeffreys for 8 days this year. They're super fun, stable on hardpack, groomers, Mad River moguls, pretty much every condition so far. Oh and they really like being in the air. I'd say 8 days isn't enough for me to write up anything extensive, but they've worked beautifully in those days.
Dec 29 2012 6:59AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
I dont know what size. I'm pretty light. I was recommended 181 by bertrand (give him karma)
Dec 30 2012 1:01AM
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scandy101
Posts: 460 - Karma: 19
read my review of the one life in the surface thread.
i came from bacons, spent over a season on them, and the one lifes are much better, float better, carve better, more stable yet more playful, charge better, and WAY more fun everywhere. they also kill it in the park. bacons are good skis for sure, but thats about it, the one life is an AWESOME ski, check them out for sure.
Dec 30 2012 9:02PM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
I saw this thread and love the input. I am the same situation, but I dont necessarily want to go that fat. I was doing some searching and saw the nordica soul rider was a perfect option for me. I am coming from a super stiff all mountain ski at 86 under foot, this ski is literally a 2x4 strapped to your feet, now i will be moving on to one of the most buttery/snappy skis out there. Will be demoing a pair this week to see if I like them.

Also any input on a ski that has a base of 95-105 who is super buttery as well but is multi directional and could be a good mount at or near center mount? thanks!
Dec 30 2012 10:46PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
k2 kung fujas, line blend, on3p jeronimo, moment tahoe. i think the last two are stiffer than the first two, but they are all great all mountain rippers i have heard!
Dec 30 2012 10:56PM
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