What is a "first"?

[alex38]

Could someone enlighten me (and maybe others) to exactly what a factory first is, what it means, and how it correlates to ski performance?

[LeonL]

Do you mean a level of quality? A first as opposed to a "second" or "blem"? Just curious. I have no answer either way.

[alex38]

What does it mean when someone says a ski is a "first" and how does that matter? Another way to ask this question would be is my ski NOT a first? Is this why I can't run 35? And why didn't anybody tell me this?

[Horton]

A first is a ski that is as perfect as a factory can make. It passes QC in all ways.

A second is not quite as good and a third is .... something is really wrong.

 

In the case of seconds and thirds the issue could be all cosmetic or it could be the flex and the rocker or inserts or something else. Personally I am very happy with a cosmetic blem (second or third) but if there is something wrong with the inserts or flex or rocker or structure it is not worth it.

[alex38]

Got it thank you, so basically a regular premium ski that is sold new is a first. I get paranoid when I hear slalom terminology I don't know about... even though the lake is already frozen.