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volant machete questions

post #1 of 41
10/30/06 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 
So over the weekend I stumbled upon a stash of old Volant skis at a mom&pop sporting goods store. They had about 3 pairs of PowerKarves that appeared to have been demos/drilled. They were all 190ish and selling for $150.

In the same pile was a single pair of Machetes. 183cm. No price. When I took them up to the front the high school kids manning the shop shrugged, then looked them up on the computer and told me they were $699!!!

I would like to figure out what year and model Machetes they are and what would be a fair price to offer for them.

Here's what they looked like:
The steel topsheet only had the word "Machete" at the top with a "blood red gash" underneath. There were no other graphics on the topsheet. I know it said "designed by Shane McConkey" on the ski, but can't remember if it was under the "Machete" name or at the bottom of the ski. It had a red rubber footbed. The bases of the skis were red. The width looked to be between 65-75 (definitely not wider than 80), but I'm just guessing as they looked hella skinny.

I tried looking Machete's up online, but discovered that there were at least 4-6 different models (G, Sin, Chubb, Soul...)

So my 3 questions are:

1. Any guess as to what year and model make of Machete this might be?


2. If we nail down a model and year, what is this ski's strengths/weaknesses (i.e. what is it good for)?


3. $699 is way too much, in my opinion, so what would you offer for a pair of these? ( I was ready to throw down $200, but the kids running the shop couldn't authorize that).

Thanks!
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post #2 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:05am
Paging VA
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post #3 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:21am
I vote Machete McG/Gravity, 2000/2001 and $60 undrilled if plan to ski icy nasties in the fall line at moderate pace.
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post #4 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Yeah, after digging around online, I thought they might be the McG. Just trying to nail down the year.

Sadly, I don't think the shop would let them go for $60 since they were selling drilled/demo PowerKarves for $149 (of course not sure what year the PKs were).

And I was thinking they might be good for an ice ski, which I'm kind of lacking in my quiver.
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post #5 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:38am
Were they 'Full Metal Jackets", solid steel topskn from edge to edge or were did they have a red fiberglass strip around the perimeter of the ski? Either way they are from the 01-03 year range. For a point of reference, Sports Authority was selling similier skis for $79.00 at the end of last year.
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post #6 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:39am
If you liked the 7S, you should be able to find a 9X of that era or similar for cheep.
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post #7 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 
Phil:

Not 100% sure on the sidewalls. I seem to remember them being black, bases were red, topsheet basically plain steel other than the "Machete" name at the tip.

I'm armed with enough ammo to go back to the store and barter, I would say. Though again, since they had the used PowerKarves marked at $150, not sure if I'll be able to talk them down. Then again, they might be happy to get them out of the store if they've been sitting there for 5 seasons...
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post #8 of 41
10/30/06 at 12:02pm
Good luck, IMHO if they have had them sitting there this long...and still in the computer for 699.00 I don't think you will see them for a price worth buying. FWIW, I have a pair of FMJ PowerKarves that you can have for 40.00 shipped. Pick your size 173, 183, 193. All are used.
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post #9 of 41
10/30/06 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
^yeah, that's the only thing I am "worried" about. I don't really need the skis, but if they were well under $200 I might consider.

The shop is participating in a ski swap this weekend, so I am guessing they would take all of their old gear there to unload, so I was hoping to try and snag them before.

But yeah, if you guys are thinking they're from 2001 and have been sold elsewhere for $79, then anything between $200 and $699 is way out of my price range from an older ski.

Thanks for the offer on the PKs, too, but I think I'll pass.

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post #10 of 41
10/30/06 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67 View Post

Thanks for the offer on the PKs, too, but I think I'll pass.
Those 183s would make a kicker night-skiing special.
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post #11 of 41
10/30/06 at 2:04pm
Doh, I'm late to the party, it seems like the question was answered, but I will offer this review from Ski Canada magazine (for the 01/02 model) that I posted when Ghost posed a similar question:

Those are Machete McG, I've never skied them but know that they are the first all mountain design by Shane McConkey, so they are likely on the stiffer side of the all mountains made by Volant. I think JamesDeluxe has a pair so he could tell you a bit more about them. If they are new buy them!

Here's a SkiCanada Magazine review:

Freeride - Test 2001


Volant Machete McG (Editor's Choice)
Stats
Men / Women / Overall
Test rating:
7.90 / 8.23 / 8.0
Length:
188 / 178
Binding:
Salomon 912 Ti 32mm
Sugg. retail:
$819
Best in:
Carving, Stability, Versatility
Skier weight:
Both / Both to Heavier
Skier style:
Both / Both to Power
Conditions:
All / All
Skier ability:
Advanced to Expert / Advanced
Sweet spot:
Centred / Centred
Volant has done a major reworking of its high-end off-piste line, and offered up its new Machete McG (G stands for gravity) for both the men and women to test. You'll have to look hard to even find the Volant symbol on the tip of the ski.
Men's comments: "Ski the steel, feel the thunder. Finally, I feel the thunder. This ski is what this category is all about." (Smart) "Outstanding ski. Quick and versatile. Great for early initiation; skis with both finesse and power." (Honeyman) "Soft and smooth and well-suited for improving skills in bumps and powder." (G. Terwiel)
Women's comments: "Take it anywhere and ski anything. Not terribly zippy, though." (Younker) "One of the best in this category. Very stable, easy to initiate. Adaptable to all kinds of terrain." (A. Michaud) "All characteristics of this ski are awesome. Very stable, easy to initiate and likes to ski everywhere and everything on the mountain." (Roberts)
Consensus: Male testers in particular thought that this might be the best-ever Volant. The McG skied more aggressively than any previous models from years past. And, of course (as in years gone by), the women loved it.
__________________
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post #12 of 41
10/30/06 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
That more or less looks like the ski I saw, though I don't recall it having the indentations/pinstripping effects underneath the Machete logo or on the tail (the ones I saw were pretty stark in terms of graphic design...just the steel and the name Machete).

I guess the question that remains from you VA, is what would you plunk down for them?

I'm certainly not going to shell out $699 for a 5-year old ski. I might go $200 tops, but even that's pushing it, especially if Phil's claims that Sport Authority was selling them last season for $79.

Anyone know what they are underfoot, if they are in fact the McG?
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post #13 of 41
10/30/06 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67 View Post
That more or less looks like the ski I saw, though I don't recall it having the indentations/pinstripping effects underneath the Machete logo or on the tail (the ones I saw were pretty stark in terms of graphic design...just the steel and the name Machete).

I guess the question that remains from you VA, is what would you plunk down for them?

I'm certainly not going to shell out $699 for a 5-year old ski. I might go $200 tops, but even that's pushing it, especially if Phil's claims that Sport Authority was selling them last season for $79.

Anyone know what they are underfoot, if they are in fact the McG?

They are 68mm under foot. The ones you're looking at may be the 00/01 models, and hence the slightly different graphics. I gleaned from the ski listings on the Ski Canada site, the 00/01 models of McGs came with the 178, 183, 188 sizing while they went to the more conventional 180, 185, 190 sizes the next year.

How much would I pay? Well I tend to be pretty stingy about how much I would pay for skis, so I wouldn't be the best guage. However I would expect that if you dropped $200.00 for them, and you happen to like Volant's trademark steel cap, damp, smooth ride (not everyone does for some reason I cannot fathom), you'll be very pleased with your purchase.
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post #14 of 41
10/30/06 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
They were indeed 183cm, so I am going to go with them being 00/01 models.

Alas, I've never skied on a Volant. That's one of the reasons I was intrigued by 'em (the other being McConkey's signature on the model). At any rate, I'mma call the shop back and try and barter with the owner, see if he'll unload 'em for a song.

Thanks for all the input
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post #15 of 41
10/30/06 at 4:00pm
FWIW, I just bought an '02 Machete G in plastic for 98.98 Canadian. It seems they had trouble selling 190 cm freeride skis in the land of small groomed hills. Who'da thunk it!

Real skiers has a few pics of the different models in their review section.
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post #16 of 41
10/30/06 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost View Post
FWIW, I just bought an '02 Machete G in plastic for 98.98 Canadian. It seems they had trouble selling 190 cm freeride skis in the land of small groomed hills. Who'da thunk it!

Real skiers has a few pics of the different models in their review section.
Find some McH's or Surfers or Golds for that price, LMK.
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post #17 of 41
10/30/06 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Ghost: you seem to be scoring a ton of deals lately (unless I have you confused with some other canuck).

I'm with comprex...lemme know if you stumble upon anything else after you've picked through it, of course!

Not familiar with the McH, Surfers, or Golds, though...wouldn't mind a pair of Spats at a good price, Canadian or otherwise, too!
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post #18 of 41
10/30/06 at 6:14pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/Volant-Machete-S...QQcmdZViewItem
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post #19 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67 View Post
Ghost: you seem to be scoring a ton of deals lately (unless I have you confused with some other canuck).

I'm with comprex...lemme know if you stumble upon anything else after you've picked through it, of course!

Not familiar with the McH, Surfers, or Golds, though...wouldn't mind a pair of Spats at a good price, Canadian or otherwise, too!
The Machete McH (AKA Huckster) was designed by McConkey as a big mountain, straightlining, cliff hucking, powder floating, crud crusher. The 193 (which I have) has a 48M radius, so they are not for those who want to turn a lot. I just had mine mounted up this fall, and will be trying them out once I get my legs about me.

Surfers were decidedly on the other end of the spectrum of Volants, they had the shortest turn radius of any of the American made Volants, 14M if I remember correctly.

As far as Golds, comprex is liely to be referring to the Genesis Gold which was one of the first Volants made by Atomic, and continues to be among the boutique offerings. The 02/03, and 03/03 versions had a 68mm waist, and was supposed to be an all mountain expert ski made with much harder steel than the Genesis Silver. In the 04/05 line the waist became 66mm, and I believe the tip and tail got a bit wider.

Before the Genesis Gold, there was the Power T3 Gold, which was the top of the line ski of Volant's last Americam made line. They were the pinacle of the Powerkarve shaped skis, I covet these skis, and will eventually have a pair, oh yes, I will.
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post #20 of 41
10/30/06 at 11:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt7180 View Post
How funny, that guy just bought those skis on ebay a couple of weeks ago. I would have if they hadn't gone too high for my destitute financial condition.
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post #21 of 41
10/31/06 at 6:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by volantaddict View Post
How funny, that guy just bought those skis on ebay a couple of weeks ago. I would have if they hadn't gone too high for my destitute financial condition.
There is no reserve so maybe you can still pick them up. Do you remember what he paid for them?
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post #22 of 41
10/31/06 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by volantaddict View Post
Doh, I'm late to the party, it seems like the question was answered...
I tried paging you :
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post #23 of 41
10/31/06 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 
yeah, i saw that eBay posting the other night. apparantly that guy has been posting a ski a week or something like that as i stumbled upon a "dead" link for a pair of the Sin's he'd posted a few weeks ago.

i already have a ski with an 80 waist (Blizzard Titan 8), so i think a pair of the Sins would be a tad redundant.

i was mostly intrigued by the Machete McG's because A) there was a slight chance I could get them for $149 and B) they were narrow waisted and I don't currently have any skis with a waist less than 78 (not sure what my Rossi dimensions are, but they're also unmounted at the moment and hanging on the wall).

planning to call the mom&pop this week and haggle with the owner about the Machetes. we shall see how well my bartering skills are these days.
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post #24 of 41
10/31/06 at 6:19pm
I stumbled on 2 pairs of Volant Genesis M skis. These are the first version of the Machete Sin right after Atomic completely took the brand in-house. They have almost identical dimensions to Sins (117-80-106) with slightly more sidecut. Instead of red fiberglass sidewalls they have silver. The plates are "universal" plates by Atomic - they can mount any binding.

Anyhow, Christy Sports at Bowles & Wadsworth in Littleton, CO has 2 pairs of new 175cm Volants. One pair's tip protectors looked a bit chewed up, but the other was fine. They were marked as $349, but this is probably negotialble.
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post #25 of 41
10/31/06 at 9:41pm
Save your money on the McG's. I have owned and regularly skied PK's, T3 Epics, Chubbs and FB's over the years and loved them all. The McG's on the other hand where the worst ski I have ever been on in my life. Didn't want to turn or straightline. The most unstable things I've ever been on. Not sure why, but they just do not ski like any other volants.
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post #26 of 41
10/31/06 at 10:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TOLOCOMan View Post
Save your money on the McG's. I have owned and regularly skied PK's, T3 Epics, Chubbs and FB's over the years and loved them all. The McG's on the other hand where the worst ski I have ever been on in my life. Didn't want to turn or straightline. The most unstable things I've ever been on. Not sure why, but they just do not ski like any other volants.
I guess you never got the chance of skiing the Volant Surfer or the Thunderbolt. Both of these were bad.
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post #27 of 41
11/1/06 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
right on. Thanks for the feedback, suggestions.

i think it just boils down to the fact that i am seriously jonesing to go skiing and am trying to fill the void by spending money on gear i really don't need!

finding esoteric "forgotten gems" at local ski shops isn't helping either.

i'm actually still waffling on a pair of '04 M:EX w/bindings for $499 (new) and then there's the "desire" for a serious powder plank (110+) and a designated AT set-up (the Bro?), and of course a narrow ripper for those "rare" icy days in Cali.

of course i probably should worry about de-mounting the Armada park skis I wish to unload and mounting my Blizzards first...

again, thanks for the input. i may just forget about the McG's since the shop is about 45 minutes out of the City and my bartering skills are rather rusty. I really don't want to shell out between $100-200 on a cult McConkey that's gonna suck and that I won't be able to unload.
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post #28 of 41
11/1/06 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Pugliese View Post
I guess you never got the chance of skiing the Volant Surfer or the Thunderbolt. Both of these were bad.
Nope, never skied the Surfer. Why was it bad?
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post #29 of 41
11/25/06 at 12:13am
Thread Starter 
Okay, so I found yet another stash of Volants.

This time the shop had a pair of the McG's in a 178.

VA mentioned this would be a decent enough ice/hardpack ski, especially if I could score it for a song.

My question is: go for the 183 or the 178?

The shortest ski I ride is a 175 Blizzard Titan 8. Currently the longest ski in my quiver is a 180 No Ka Oi. I'm by no means a hard charger, but am curious if I were to be able to get either of the McG's for a song, should I got "long" or "short"?

Oh yeah, once I'm done picking through these stashes, I'll pass along the shop names so some of y'all can score (I'm following crate digging etiquette...guy who finds the store with the stash of vintage vinyl gets first dibs, then after he's picked through it he opens it up to the homeys)

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post #30 of 41
11/25/06 at 12:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dookey67 View Post
Okay, so I found yet another stash of Volants.

This time the shop had a pair of the McG's in a 178.

VA mentioned this would be a decent enough ice/hardpack ski, especially if I could score it for a song.

My question is: go for the 183 or the 178?

The shortest ski I ride is a 175 Blizzard Titan 8. Currently the longest ski in my quiver is a 180 No Ka Oi. I'm by no means a hard charger, but am curious if I were to be able to get either of the McG's for a song, should I got "long" or "short"?

Oh yeah, once I'm done picking through these stashes, I'll pass along the shop names so some of y'all can score (I'm following crate digging etiquette...guy who finds the store with the stash of vintage vinyl gets first dibs, then after he's picked through it he opens it up to the homeys)
Get the 183s, then if you don't like them you can sell them to me cheap.
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