New skis for Finnish Defence Forces

[lilcliffy]

Wowo do I love those high-profile trail-breaking Nordic touring tips!!!

A Nordic touring ski that is 95mm at the shovel- with a tip like that!!!
Wow.

I too wish they had steel edges...
Edgeless skis don't last long here in the northwoods...

230cm and 75mm underfoot?!? WOWO!
Wonder how heavy they are?

[Theme]

Wowo do I love those high-profile trail-breaking Nordic touring tips!!!

A Nordic touring ski that is 95mm at the shovel- with a tip like that!!!
Wow.

I too wish they had steel edges...
Edgeless skis don't last long here in the northwoods...

230cm and 75mm underfoot?!? WOWO!
Wonder how heavy they are?

Right?! Should be available for next winter season. Could message them and ask for edges.

The old skis the army has, are about 1200-1300g each in 210/225cm lengths. Should be about the same weight.

[Manney]

What is the brand, model name of the current ski supplied to the Finnish Army?

Karhu? Manufactured by the Kitee Ski Factory… KSF? Same manufacturer as the new Scout?

Pulled some images from the Defense Visual Info Distribution Service of Exercise Arctic Forge 23. The skis used… presumably supplied by Finland and the older version (tips are different) … are not metal edged.

[Theme]

What is the brand, model name of the current ski supplied to the Finnish Army?

Karhu? Manufactured by the Kitee Ski Factory… KSF? Same manufacturer as the new Scout?

Pulled some images from the Defense Visual Info Distribution Service of Exercise Arctic Forge 23. The skis used… presumably supplied by Finland and the older version (tips are different) … are not metal edged.

9F4009F6-2C31-44D6-A8AC-111B5FCC669B.jpeg

5BC93E54-7814-4B02-8E49-787B596B49C9.jpeg

The "J" stands for Järvinen. There are both Järvinen and Karhu skis from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Maybe some newer ones, I am not sure, never seen. Kitee ski factory is responsible for Järvinen, Karhu and Yoko brands nowadays. Pretty sure they were still separate back then. There are plenty of different traction solutions in the skis from the past decades.

Used skis are sold in Millog's surplus store SA-Kauppa which does not do deliveries. Like 20 dollars a pair. Sometimes they get unused skis, but usually they are very worn. I found some in decent condition when I went through their shipping containers a few years back.

These skis have weight ratings such as under 70kg, 80-100kg and 100+kg. I got the 80-100 and it is very stiff, high camber, 225 Karhus from -89. 70mm wide throughout as usual.

[Manney]

Thanks. More info in your post than is readily available online. Local knowledge, experience! Weight ratings you provided make a lot of sense. Especially for soldiers carrying weapon, pack, etc.

Been thinking about what you said about condition, price of surplus skis at Millog. At $20 used, Millog isn’t making much, any money. Just disposing of them responsibly… avoiding landfill. Nice.

Foam filled KSF Scout skis make sense. So does no metal edge. Keeps price low enough for skis to be treated as a disposable item in military use. Camber stiffness, edge less critical in deep snow.

[Theme]

Foam filled KSF Scout skis make sense. So does no metal edge. Keeps price low enough for skis to be treated as a disposable item in military use. Camber stiffness, edge less critical in deep snow.

Most of Finland does not require steel edges, so this is a factor as well. Edgeless skis are also safer to train on. Rubber boots, this kind of binding system and heavy equipment on you makes for an uncontrolled ride. It's not one or two times in training we all piled up after the first in line fell down. Less maintenance without edges too.

[Manney]

Good point about maintenance, is there obligatory national service in Finland?

[Theme]

Good point about maintenance, is there obligatory national service in Finland?

Yes we do have conscription for all male citizens and voluntary for women

[lowangle al]

Most of Finland does not require steel edges, so this is a factor as well. Edgeless skis are also safer to train on. Rubber boots, this kind of binding system and heavy equipment on you makes for an uncontrolled ride. It's not one or two times in training we all piled up after the first in line fell down. Less maintenance without edges too.

The world needs more edgeless XCD skis. I loved my Trak Bushwackers (85,80,75) I'd like something a little wider with more sidecut and better base material.

[Manney]

Width gives skis a few different properties… float, weight bearing, stability. Side cut… all about the turn. Once a manufacturer dials in a lot of side cut, they might as well put steel edges on the ski.