The Official Korua Shapes Thread

[Kevington]

Many of the things that made them unique and exciting ten years ago have become commonplace now, so perhaps they have lost their shine a bit for some people. I’ve never had a problem with the quality of the boards and still feel they are one of the realest board companies.

The videos had to change, you can’t write the same song 20 times in a row, even if that’s what the fans want. It gets boring. I’m not a huge fan of the ultra slow-mo, high contrast films of late but let them have their dark gothy period. I like the new one.

The Wolken/Maurer high speed buddy cam dynamic that made the YFT edits so good was just some irreplaceable magic. Maybe they’ll get the band back together for a 20yr reunion.

[YukonCornelius]

well written sir, i agree with all of your points. the band analogy is spot on.

like i said earlier, i enjoyed the new short film and the feeling it evokes. wish some of the shots were longer, but what can you do. i can't imagine making snowboard media these days with how saturated everything has become, so i respect anyone trying a new "vision". the japan slomo pow turn thing has been done so many times, so making it feel different or new is quite a challenge. you have to try something, or risk becoming irrelevant.

i like how incredibly specific Korua boards are and how they feel on edge, it's spectacular. i will probably take the TF out a few days this season and have a blast as usual. last season, i got a lot better at landing bolts on the board and stopped the consistent wash outs i was having, which had started becoming a shitty and lazy habit on frontside spins. kind of a nice byproduct of the tiny tail

[Guschti]

Care to clarify? The boards are certainly not artsy, so I have to assume you're referring to the videos?

not only. Also projects like: Sawing up boards by some guy? I also got tired of worrying that I'd be sent the wrong board every year and having to replace one of my Plus boards every year as a warranty claim, which usually took forever until the replacement finally arrived.

Could you elaborate on your recurring board & warranty issues? Genuinely just curious about your experience.

Sorry for the late message, had a hard day at work.
So, unfortunately the topsheet on each of my Plus boards has gone. I have always received a new board because this is a warranty case, but I have had to wait at least 3-4 months and when I have asked. The answer was on its way. In addition, I really only order and buy from the store I trust and I always place the orders together with the guys. When I stand next to them and hear how a Caferacer 164 is ordered but then a Pencil 159 comes with my name on it and they order it 2 times in a row and the season after that my order is completely forgotten. Yes, at some point I've had enough. Because I've been riding the boards since the 14/15 season and it's never really gotten any better...
What's more, the base is mega slow and dries out extremely quickly.
In my opinion, Korua can only do one thing better than many other brands and that is to implement the outline of the shape perfectly. I only know of Gentemstick that do this just as well or better.

[ad1105]

That’s a shame, as my experience with Korua’s warranty has been incredible. I’ll agree that the topsheet of the Plus line (new CR, excluded) has a tendency to peel back, and my first-gen CR+ came torsionally warped. But every time I’ve reached out, a new board arrived from Germany in less than a week. I’ve also never experienced a slow Korua base, but I’m diligent with my wax routine. I can’t speak for the board models that have been shifted over to China for manufacturing. All of mine were pressed at Nobile.

It’s a bummer that we haven’t shared the same experience. I hope whatever you’re riding now gets you stoked.

[Spenser]

That definitely sounds frustrating and offputting. In part, it sounds like something happening with the shop, since you go through them. Do you also go through the shop for warranty, or direct through korua? Again, just curious.

Ps @ad1105 - so far, my experience with the new factory is their boards are at least as well made, but the fit/finish is better (smoother & more consistent sidewalls & topsheet edge was the first thing I noticed). Base color is a touch more red (different source?) but performance/wax retention seems the same.

[G.D.]

From my exp with all Koruas I've ridden/owned was similar in that I felt the base was kinda slow & dried so fast, relative to the other decks I had. But I also do a bare minimum job with waxing/tuning these days, tbf . Cos once I got on one of @ad1105's Koruas, felt like an Elite level wax job. Board is hella fast and zippy, in comparison .

[Guschti]

That definitely sounds frustrating and offputting. In part, it sounds like something happening with the shop, since you go through them. Do you also go through the shop for warranty, or direct through korua? Again, just curious.

The store doesn't really have anything to do with it. It's more of a Switzerland/Germany dilemma. Since a visit to the store means driving across the country for me, I did the warranty cases directly with Korua myself. Basically, I have to say that they were always fair and never discussed anything, usually even called me and promised me a board straight away. not every company does that either. But as I said, I've been a customer from the very beginning and would have expected “improvements” in quality over the years. But I'm not putting Korua down either! I had really incredibly good powder and carving days on the boards. I even had a lot of fun in the park. Everyone who buys and rides a Korua board will have fun with it and I hope so too!
Yesterday I sold my last two boards, a Dart 160 and CR+ Split at a snowboard flea market and the buyers really enjoyed the boards. That makes me happy because at the end of the day that's the main thing for me!

[Guschti]

That’s a shame, as my experience with Korua’s warranty has been incredible. I’ll agree that the topsheet of the Plus line (new CR, excluded) has a tendency to peel back, and my first-gen CR+ came torsionally warped. But every time I’ve reached out, a new board arrived from Germany in less than a week. I’ve also never experienced a slow Korua base, but I’m diligent with my wax routine. I can’t speak for the board models that have been shifted over to China for manufacturing. All of mine were pressed at Nobile.

It’s a bummer that we haven’t shared the same experience. I hope whatever you’re riding now gets you stoked.

Sometimes you lose and sometimes the others win. I now ride Nitroboards and have a Gentemstick. I'm super happy with it and we'll see what else the future brings. I've already seen a few things from next year at Nitro. And yes, it's going to be awesome!

[Spenser]

Learned that - according to korua - they press a gentle contoured shape (across the base) through the pencil nose, and others to varying degrees.. not mentioned anywhere to my knowledge. I hadn't noticed (haven't ridden it yet), which tells you it's mild to the eye.

It starts right after the front inserts, and reaches its max amount roughly halfway to the contact.

Edit: more info on next page

IMG_0515.jpeg (1.44 MiB) Viewed 119 times

[casjcade]

Got this V-hull thing on the Noserider, seems pretty nice so far. That board can be adjusted to have a perfectly balance stance, and get good speed on it. Don't know if it makes it easier in turns with those wide noses too. Pretty much the only 3D shape I've felt any benefit from.