Our goal when designing this disc was to create a slow and stable putt- and approach disc, without much glide and without the typical strong fade that usually comes with discs that are stable at high speeds or in headwind. These characteristics would enable a more aggressive approach game than usual putt- and approach discs, as well as being a very straight flyer when throwing with power, off tee for example. We also wanted a nice ergonomic thumb placement on the top side. We managed to make such a disc, and after ten years we still think it stands out in the crowd.
Just like with every disc we released at this early stage in our history, it took us a lot of effort to do it. We usually did a lot of prototypes before we even got to making “real” molded prototypes. These early prototypes could be 3D-printed discs created in a friend’s workshop or manually altered stock discs. Carving, grinding, gluing and reshaping was everyday work in our disc workshop in my apartment. But as a contrast to this do-it-yourself process, we also made wind-tunnel tests in Rome and had multiple collaborations with universities.
When we had the first batch of factory made Berg prototypes ready, Anders, Per and I went with high hopes to try them out. The factory staff watched and cheered from the windows as we threw the first Bergs on the field outside. To my surprise, the prototypes were shockingly overstable and faded harder than any other putt- and approach disc. It was a big failure. But that same evening I started going through the options of how to alter the mold. The process would require plenty more prototypes before we had the disc we were aiming for. Much later, the mold called Berg X was created from one of the later variants in this process, because many of them weren’t bad at all, just not what we wanted for Berg.
The initial reception for Berg was mixed, to say the least, but it made an early impact in its own way. Many were confused about its odd looks and its lack of glide and just didn’t know what to make of it. Fortunately, enough players discovered its qualities and fully embraced it. We’ve heard rumors that some won’t enter a course without it.
We feel that this disc is worth a bit of celebrating.
Best regards,
Jonas Lindberg
Founder of Kastaplast and creator of the original Berg mold
