Völkl’s Kendo and Mantra models have been taking turns at introducing a basketful of brilliant features over the past few seasons. This intricate pas de deux began with the launch of the Mantra M5, the first Völkl to embody Titanal Frame, a complete re-set on how the top layer of Titanal is treated, which instantly elevated the Mantra M5 back among the All-Mountain West category’s very best.
When Völkl applied Titanal Frame to the Kendo 88 chassis the following year, it upped the performance ante with the intro of 3D Radius Sidecut. The multi-radius sidecut (long/short/long) turned out to be the perfect companion technology for Titanal Frame, opening up a measure of turn versatility and ease of operation the M5 lacked. With the two technologies working in tandem, the Kendo 88 assumed the throne as the most versatile ski in the All-Mountain East genre and the new star in Völkl’s line.
Please note that while the current Kendo 88 is ripe for another round of upgrades, the version on the shelves today is no slouch. Not only is the Kendo 88 our top-rated Power ski in the All-Mountain East genre, a position it has held since its inception, it also earns elite marks as a Finesse ski. Its numeric dominance speaks to a huge performance envelope on hill.
Last season, I speculated that the freshly minted Deacon v.werks wouldn’t have the same downstream impact as the Katana v.werks, but I may have spoken too soon. One of the most esoteric features of the Deacon v.werks was a lattice-work of carbon fibers crisscrossing the tip, which inspired the Tailored Carbon Tips of the new M6 Mantra. Working in concert with Titanal Frame, Tailored Carbon Tips give the M6 Mantra the same clear connection to the front of the ski found in the Deacon v.werks.
Several factors work together to make the Deacon v.werks easy to steer into a tight-radius turn without a lot of encouragement from the pilot. The cambered center section of its 3D Radius Sidecut is slalom-turn tight (14m@172cm); all the skier has to do to activate it is tilt the edge to a high angle, a normal move for anyone who knows how to carve. To make it easier to depress into a deep carve, the abbreviated camber line underfoot is fairly shallow and soft. The tip and tail rockers are long and gradual so the long-radius zones at front and rear don’t interfere with the ski’s quickness edge to edge. The absence of metal and low elevation of the Marker system give the Deacon v.werks a clarity of snow feel and lively energy that’s relatively rare among elite carvers.
What is it about the Deacon 84 that allows it be all skis to all (Frontside) skiers? It’s the alluring combination of a fiberglass torsion box and tactically placed Titanal parts that nullify shock without stifling the glass structure’s naturally springy nature. It’s exceptional rebound – it will lift you right off the snow if you punch it – derives from the Deacon 84’s 3D Glass, top and bottom glass laminates that come together above the sidewall to create a torsion box. The 3-part Titanal Frame anchors the forebody and tail while allowing the center to react to pressure, so the glass can compress and load up energy for the turn transition.
As if immaculate edge grip weren’t enough, on the Deacon 84 it comes in three sizes, small, medium and large, facilitated by a triple-radius sidecut that gives the pilot total control over turn shape. Jim Schaffner, a Masterfit University instructor and longtime coach, “found this ski to be very versatile. This ski was super easy to pivot/ drift, yet at the same time, on medium pitch runs where I could go for it and really engage the front of the ski, I could feel the power and control. This is going to be a very popular ski for a large group of the market,” he presciently predicted.
