Just got my 186 Kartel 98s from the FedEx man, and I'm very pumped!
Couple questions for you guys.
1) the engraved line on the sidewall of the ski.....is that manufacturer recommended mount point for boot center? What is that mark? True center? -4, -2? Sidecut center?
2) as a guy in his early 30's who plans on using these as an everyday (non pow day) ski for patrolling, but also likes to jib, hit rails, ski switch quite a bit, where would you recommend I mount them? I got 186s, I'm between 6'-6'1" and like 185ish. Im thinking -2cm, but open to suggestions and I'm trying to figure out where -2cm from true center is relative to the imprinted line on the sidewall.
3) maybe a dumb question. I'm well aware that for many years on most skis there's no such thing as a left or right ski. However, I've noticed that the tips appear asymmetrical and almost as if the tips of the skis are shaped in such a way where one ski is supposed to be on a particular foot. Am I crazy? If not, can anyone tell me which ski is for which foot and maybe just a few words about the design philosophy behind this asymmetric tip taper (hopefully I'm articulating this well)
Lastly I just want to say it feels really good to be on a pair of ON3Ps. I've been following Scott and the company since the posts scott made showing off his homemade ski press. I know the origin of the name, and it's been awesome to see this company in ten years go from a pet project to a truly respected world class ski manufacturer. I was inspired by Will years ago to pursue patrol and avalanche mitigation work, and here I am today a Blaster and route leader, a member of CRAD and an avy tech with the flight for life program.
I know I'm rambling, but it's just such a natural fit to me to be skiing on ON3P as a fairly long time NSer (ten years in a few months) and as a patroller who never considered the field until getting to know Will (RIP friend). Hell back in 2009, I was even talking with Scott and the crew about moving to Portland to come aboard and work for em building skis. To this day I still think about what may have been had I pursued it.
Anyways, I just want to say thank you and tel you guys that I'm really pumped on what you do and how you do it. You guys deserve all the success in the world.