Razor 3 Review

[Horton]

The Razor slalom ski started its life as the Fischer #01 back in 2007. The current version is built in the same factory as Fischer snow skis and alongside carbon fiber parts used in some of the world’s most exclusive automobiles. The construction methods and technology used to build the Razor are perhaps the most advanced of any ski in the world.

 

Starting with the Fischer #01, then the Razor 2 and now the Razor 3, the shape of this ski has not changed. Any changes that have been are an update to the flex pattern. Unfortunately the flex of the Razor 3 test ski lacks the subtly of the other top skis in the sport.

 

The biggest issue becomes apparent at finish of the turn. The ski simply feels over stiff and unbalanced. Turns are awkward and forced. The skier finds themselves in a cycle known as “Crank and Yank”.

 

The ski is also moderately unstable when not on edge. This can make a gate turn in challenging. Additional front foot pressure before the turn in solves this, but it can still be unnerving.

 

An experienced skier can certainly manage to post a good score on a Razor 3, but it will take more effort and tenacity than would be required on almost any other high end ski. If your goal is to round more balls and do so smoothly, the Razor 3 is not the solution.

 

[Horton]

One more thing - Volker Engelhardt who owns Razor is one of the good guys. It was hard to write this review. Unfortunately it is simply the truth.

 

[mrpreuss]

Thanks for your opinion and honesty. Very few of us have the opportunity to test skis like you do.

[Razorskier1]

Volker is a great guy! The Razor 2 is a great stick IMO. I was hoping the 3 would be revolutionary. Looks like back to the drawing board.

[6balls]

Volker is great. I've never been a driver favorite...bullish over turner who also pulls too hard and long then shuts it down. I'm better than I used to be but back in the day couldn't make the stiffer skis work as they were too unforgiving for my "all over the ski" style.

 

First set on Razor2 with foreign bindings matched my practice average mid 38 right up the line. Felt awkward but thought "what the hell...some potential here". Felt like a Fischer with a bigger sweet spot.

 

Once set-up figured out (which wasn't easy) practice PB's, more 38's than ever in a season, first season over 100 tourney avg scored over just 3 tourneys....and a tourney PB of 2.5 @39.

 

R2 is fast and turns wicked quick. If ahead and need more progressive carve really important to stay tall over the bindings outbound and to the ball. Get your mass inside the ski and buoy line and it's going to be a BIG turn so be prepared. Sometimes a guy needs one of those, though. I get a few more than I need, but that's my fault. Great cross course speed bails me out of some mistakes. As Horton mentions about the R3, the stiffness of the R2 palpable at the finish of the turn.

 

If the Razor3 skis a lot like the Razor2, the ski will work for the right skier. Wish I could try lots of other skis...when done with the R2 likely back to D3 unless Volker kicks out a newly designed super Razor made RTM style...I'd try that!

 

[thager]

I'm curious which length and and flex pattern @Horton tried. I would think a A68 would be too long and too stiff for him if that was the case. A little more info is appreciated. Also curious on binding position as I have always had to run mine back from the stock settings on the Fischer #01 and Razor 2 to get what I needed.

[RazorRoss3]

Two years ago when I moved over to the Razor 2 I tried the 68B and could feel at the finish of the turn the ski flexed down into the water and then went and I was struggling because of it, tried my Dad's 68A and ran close to a personal best on unfamiliar bindings, put my bindings on a 68A and ran a 2 buoy pb. I have less than conventional dimensions my self at 5'9, 185lbs, and a powerlifter in the off season but the 68A R2 is a great ski, wish the R3 review was better so I could stick with them.

[Horton]

@thager‌ 68" I am 5'9 190#

The ski is at the lake so I do not have binding settings handy but it was stock (29.5 I think). With the bindings back just 1/4" the ski was a huge amount of work.

 

It is the right size ski.

[Razorskier1]

I also ran my A68 Razor2 with bindings further back. Seemed to smooth it out in the turns and improve acceleration.

[thager]

@Horton Which flex A or B?

[MrJones]

Dang, it's nice to see an honest product review. Thanks for being staight up John. It is hard to do at times in a world as small as ours. (Waterski that is)

[scuppers]

@Horton‌ - This respectful honesty raised the review credibility over the top. Great Job!

[thager]

Actually, all it tells me is that JTH can't ski on it. Might be JTH. Might be water temp, water consistency, setup, etc. I still don't know which flex it is? I am assuming A but could be B. A couple of weeks ago I tried a manufacturers ski that people love and couldn't ski on it. Could be same reasons, or could be I am just a putz. Would hate to see anyone pass up trying a ski just because it didn't work for someone else. Just saying!!

[Horton]

@thager generally ski test skis are not for sale. Ironically this one is. Since you are sure I am wrong why don't you buy it? $1,000

 

68" the stiffer version (is that A or B? I will look when I get to the tonight)

[thager]

Checks in the mail............. ; )

[RazorRoss3]

@Horton, A flex is the stiffer one. Like I said above I found that the B flex seemed to absorb my hook up at the ball rather than immediately accelerate like the A flex does.

[6balls]

This is most likely a testament to the passing of time. A newly designed sports sedan often wins the comparison test. It's updated but not substantially changed over it's 5 year life cycle and by year 5 it's getting smoked in comparo's against the newly released designs from competitors. Without a major re-design to keep up with the latest a fine ski may have been passed by time. Remember @Horton liked the Fisher and the R2...but that was against the competition of the day not today's competition. Horton's review does make me want to ski more of today's hot rods despite having had a good run on my R2. One more season and will be time for a change.

[RazorRoss3]

I was thinking something similar, I think the R2 has this year and likely next but I feel 4 years on a ski and it's probably time to try something with another 4 years of R&D into it.

[Horton]

I think you guys are partly correct but I also think the R2 was better than the R3. I suspect the flex is just wrong. It is not just how stiff but where the stiffness is in the ski.

[Horton]

Volker from Razor contacted me today. He suspects that the ski I have was an early R3 and may be out of spec.

 

If he sends me a second ski I will re-evaluate.

[countymountie]

My opinion of BOS reviews and @Horton's objectivity from sponsors just went up.

 

What I find curious is the R3 is descended from the Fisher which has received rave reviews since it was introduced to the market back when @Horton was involved in a semi-formal review process. My only understanding of the Fisher is that you better have some "pilot" skills..... which @15' I do not.

[TimViau]

I have read about the new Razor 4 and I am really interested. I have been skiing on a Fischer yellow 01 and this would be a great way to upgrade with some familiarity. I'm hoping you will review the ski soon!

 

[Horton]

I know nothing of the 4