K2 Slayblade - 2011
The Slayblade is a classic all mountain freestyle snowboard designed for advanced riders who want to charge big jumps and pipe walls. Not a lot of change from the 2010 Slayblade, 2011’s model gets sneakily upgraded to a Zero sintered base, so you won’t have to worry about hitting any kicker knuckles. Will the Slayblade ever fill the void left by the Zepplin? Sure, it is already a classic.
Manufacturer's Description:
The Essence of Freestyle Progression.
Winning the triple crown of product awards: Transworld’s Good Wood, Snowboarder’s Best of Test, and Snowboard Mag’s Platinum Pick, there is no question that board design has entered a new phase. Designed in direct response to team demands, the 2010-11 K2 Slayblade snowboard encompasses the very essence of progression, from team favorite FLATLINE Technology with HARSHMELLOW, to the addition of a Ø Sintered Base to make it even lighter, and behold… the new all mountain freestyle king.
Recommended for park riding.
Recommended for halfpipe riding.
Recommended for freeride riding.
High cost $
Available in Wide.
Zero Camber Construction.
Twin Shape.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
153, 156, 158, 161, 164, 159W, 163W, 166W
Riding Style: Freestyle/Park
Specifications:
Flatline™ zero camber profile
Harshmellow™ dampening
Setback Twin
Hyper Progressive sidecut
WH4™ Core (Wood & honeycomb)
Triax/Biax/ICG 20
Carbon Matrix II torsion forks
Similar boards: Imperium DJVI - 2011 Amplid HiDef - 2011 Burton Love - 2011 Endeavor High 5 Series - 2011
Snowboard Review:
Watch the 2011 K2 Slayblade Video Snowboard Review
This years Slayblade is a bit of a beast! Similarly to last years it has a zero camber profile, harshmellow dampening, hybrilight costruction, ICG20 fibreglass laminate, torsion forks and a WH4 core. Nevertheless this years Slayblade feels more responsive, more powerful and stiffer both laterally and longitudinally than last years offering. This years Slayblade is more of an all-mountain killer and is the ultimate board for hitting 10+ meter kickers and superpipes. The new sintered 0 base is the equivalent of a sintered 10,000 base which means that it is one of the fastest bases on the market and you can really feel the difference; even in the spring slush I wasn’t struggling for speed when hitting kickers! The Slayblade really excels when you’re speeding into jumps as the harshmellow dampening and strong edges give it great stability, but this stability doesn’t compromise the boards response from edge to edge.
For advanced riders looking for a strong and powerful board to allow them to progress to the bigger obstacles in the park and in the backcountry then the Slayblade is a banger. Nevertheless you have to be a very strong rider to make the most of this beast and if you like riding rails then the stiffness means that getting technical will be much more difficult than on a softer deck. If you’re confident on rails then this board will lock onto both rails and boxes due to the zero camber but will feel twitchy and uncontrollable at low speeds when setting-up. Beginner and intermediate riders will probably struggle with the Slayblade as it isn’t particularly forgiving at low speeds; I believe this is a third or fourth time buyers board.
In conclusion I’d say that the Slayblade is the ultimate advanced riders all-mountain board. If you’re confident spinning off of smaller jumps but want the added confidence to take your tricks to bigger jumps then this board will give you that confidence. Likewise if you’re not interested in the park then the Slayblade will give you the confidence to ride faster, carve harder and boost much bigger off of rollers.
Posted by Tom Ewbank in • K2
User Snowboard Reviews
Want some advice, or have a question about the K2 Slayblade snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.
Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.
However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.
on October 19, 2010 at 07:00 AM
Why is the Slayblade more difficult to control at slower speeds than the Turbo Dream? And why is the Slayblade a better 3rd or 4th board on the review whereas the Turbo Dream is not?
I am looking at these two boards and prefer the Slayblade graphic, this will be my 2nd board.
on October 19, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Hey Seth,
The Slayblade is a very responsive and powerful freestyle board; it’s literally aimed at those riders who are very confident in the park and are looking for a deck that will give them a good, solid platform for hitting big kickers and pipe. It’s stiffer than the Turbo Dream laterally and torsionally which means it is more difficult to control at low speeds; when you’re riding at low speeds not as much movement and power goes into flexing the board (using your feet and body-weight). Obviously when you pick-up speed you can apply more force and can exaggerate your movements. The reason I say it’s a 3rd or 4th board buy is because most people that are on their first or second board would benefit more from buying an easier board to control, with this board they’d not only be holding-on for dear life but it would tire them out very quickly…...this is not a beginner or intermediate board but is an amazing advanced riders board. If your heart is set on the Slayblade then have a look at last seasons deck because it’s a lot easier to ride.
Tom
on October 28, 2010 at 06:33 AM
I thought I was set on picking up a Slayblade, but after reading your review, I’m not so sure it is right for me.
I am an intermediate rider. I freeride the whole mountain, but still do laps in the park, no backcountry and no pipe though. Problem is I am 6’3’ 200lbs with size 12’s, so any board I get needs to be 160+ and wide and not too soft. I am okay with a little stiffer board because I am a bigger rider and I can flex it. I just don’t want anything washy or sketchy at speeds.
I like the K2 boards. I’ve been looking at the flatline models. I would like a Believer, but they don’t make them big enough. I thought I wanted a Slayblade, but it sounds like it may be a too advanced for my abilities. I am thinking about a Darkstar, but the latest review doesn’t make it sound too appealing.
Any thoughts?
I am also thinking about a Ride DH or Endeavor Live but would like to try a zero camber deck.
on November 01, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Tom, Thanks a lot for your reponse. So the 2009/2010 Slayblade is not the same board as the 2010/2011?
I really want this board so I followed your advice and bought last seasons Slayblade. I will have to follow up at the end of this season and let you know how it went.
on November 03, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Hey Seth,
They’re obviously pretty similar but this seasons board felt stiffer and more responsive than last seasons. I felt like I had to concentrate and focus all the time. Don’t get me wrong; this seasons deck is awesome, especially when you’re riding pipe and big kickers, but if it’s only your second board ever than you’ll want something that you can relax on and try a bit of jibbing. Good choice on getting last seasons model.
Tom
on November 03, 2010 at 04:31 PM
Hey Nathan,
Have you considered looking at the 2011 Rossi One Magtek?.....it sounds perfect for what you’re looking for and it’s available in a wide model.
Tom
on November 14, 2010 at 04:59 PM
I need a new board for this season and I’ve been looking mainly at this and the turbo dream, and maybe the fastplant. I live in the east so we don’t get many powder days, but when we do I like to spend all day in the snow fields. When we don’t have some nice powder I ride mostly trails and glades and a little park. I’m a intermediate/advanced rider, any suggestions on what board is right for me?
on December 07, 2010 at 02:03 AM
I need a new board for this season. I’m 14 and i’m thinking about maybe getting into pipe competition this year. I am currently riding a 2009 K2 WWW (cambered). I like the board, but because of the camber and the shortened nose and tail, (K2’s “jib tip”) it sucks in powder, which i like to ride whenever we get it. I’m thinking about getting an older model snowboard because I can’t afford a new one, max of $375. I’m 5’8” and 125 lbs, boot size 9.5. I live in Maine near Sugarloaf, where seth wescott rides. Any ideas of a board thats right for me but that I can afford?
on September 14, 2011 at 12:42 AM
hey im planing to go to gulmarg next year and need a board that will handle the powder.iv been looking at 2011 slayblade.whats the whole zero camber like in powder does it stay aflot.im 70kg,5ft9,advanced rider.do u think the slayblade would be a good choice.thanx matt
on September 14, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Hey Matt,
If you want to stick with K2 you might find that the Turbo Dream with All-Terrain rocker is better geared towards riding powder. Zero camber is pretty floaty in powder but reverse camber is better with traditional twin and shapes that arent too directional. The Slayblade would make a great ride for the hard pistes of NZ but the Turbo Dream would give you better float in the Himalayas.
Rich
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