1st tur on woodies

[corlay]

picked up some Madshus Birke Beiner 210cm from Craiglist this past Fall. Incredibly well-taken-care-of by the previous Owner. Lucky find…

Got them out today for the first time. Also my first time on 100% wax, no scales/crown, base.

Some might poo-poo my choice to outfit these classic skiis with modern NNN-BC Manual bindings, but I think they look and perform pretty great. (and I dont own 3-pin boots, so…) and an interesting observation: the balance point of these Birke Beiner is a noticable distance porportionally rearward, compared to my modern TN66. 2.5”-3”.

Got myself a “snow thermometer”, from Vee-Gee with range -40c to +70c.
https://www.veegee.com/collections/dial ... ermometers
Checked calibration in an ice bath and it was set perfectly out of the box.

Snow temps today were -3c in full sun, -7c in shade.

Polar corked-in tip to tail, and I opted for Swix Blue Extra in the kick zone - knowing I might be erring on the side of not enough grip. I kick waxed about 3” forward of balance point back to where heel lands. Pretty tight “wax pocket”.

Snow was about 3” of fresh, cold, coarse snow over rained and sleeted on re-frozen 8” base. Environs was a golf course - nice gentle rolling open terrian.

I bought these to serve as a nice relaxing golf course outing ski. Something to do a -6mile tur, and concentrate upon kick-and-glide efficiency. You know… a zen moment. Just get into a groove and go smooth and fast. (I have other skis better suited to more challenging terrain.)

The ski did not disappoint.

Nice and smooth and soooo quiet. Just such a pleasant ski to ride. The waxing stategy worked out well I think, for my first try. I had no trouble gripping/kicking, and felt like glide was also good. I averaged about 3.5-4.0mph/5-6kmh which I felt was pretty good. (slightly faster than on my TN66 205cm the day before)

The lignostone edges are definitely more “slidy” than Im used to, but fine in this “gentle terrain”. and on crust (windblown, or otherwise) these skiis are like Clark Griswold's "saucer" in Christmas Vacation... zero control.

Although the 210cm performed well enough, I think at my 200lbs a 215 or even a 220 would be ideal for this type of skiing. Will keep my eyes open.

[12gaugesage]

Thats cool. I've always wanted to try wood ski's. So you think they were noticably quieter than modern ski's? The same is said about wooden snowshoes.

Got a good shot of just the ski's with the bindings? I'm curious about the aesthetics.

[kumachan]

Old wood skis are a blast! Glad you had fun!

[wabene]

Thats cool. I've always wanted to try wood ski's. So you think they were noticably quieter than modern ski's? The same is said about wooden snowshoes.

Got a good shot of just the ski's with the bindings? I'm curious about the aesthetics.

My guess is the wood skis are quieter in comparison to his other skis which are all fishscale. Waxable modern skis would be just as quiet as woodies.

[corlay]

My guess is the wood skis are quieter in comparison to his other skis which are all fishscale. Waxable modern skis would be just as quiet as woodies.

Yes, ^^^this.

My other skis are both Fischer Crown bases...

[エイダン.シダル]

Thats cool. I've always wanted to try wood ski's. So you think they were noticably quieter than modern ski's? The same is said about wooden snowshoes.

Got a good shot of just the ski's with the bindings? I'm curious about the aesthetics.

My guess is the wood skis are quieter in comparison to his other skis which are all fishscale. Waxable modern skis would be just as quiet as woodies.

You know what? I'm going to test that. I've got woodies, and new Åsnes without scales. I expect the woodies to be quieter. It's certainly true for canoes.

[wooley12]

Sounds like the OP hit the wax. My favorite ski. Just checked in the garage rafters and the Birkies I have are 205's. They were my wife's as I busted the tip on my 215's. Loved them for gliding over the fields and forests out side of Rochester. I haven't used them in 30 years but they are stored properly. I re tarred the base a couple of years ago. Wonder what those things are worth? $300 to the right person for their $2 million log home to hang on the wall I'd bet.