After owning a full quiver of Blade IIIs, I thought it was time to upgrade to a Blade IV.

The packaging and instructions oozes the typical Flexifoil quality. The kite material feels the same as the Blade IIIs – not as light as Mac Para Begos, but still very good.

The backpack is very well built. A little overkill, but it works well when parapacking since it has some useful side panels.

The first thing you’ll notice is the adjustable bridle (more lines). It allows you to easily change the kite from more to less lift just by moving two knots. This will be interesting to compare the settings once the winds start blowing. Why is there never any wind when a new kite comes to the house??

No wind…So, I had time to take a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.












3m on the left - 4.9m on the right

I’ll continue this review once I use it in some proper winds.

Got to fly the 4.9m in some decent winds yesterday. The winds were clean and averaged 12 - 15 mph.

My first impression is that this version of Blade is tamer than the IIIs - not as violent. I still need to get it out in bigger winds to see the real potential. The different bridle settings really work well. You can manage the amount of lift just by moving two knots (need to land the kite to do this).

I also got to break out a brand new crispy Bego 400 to compare to the Blade. The Bego was quicker and produced better bursts of power. The Blade was more constant and really stable.

More to come once I get in more flying hours.

sweet looking kite.

What are the steel rings for on the bridle leaders? Did you add power rings or did the kite come with those as part of the AoA adjuster?

B-Roc - that's the way it comes from Flexifoil.

This is how they describe it:

Bridle adjuster – This simple adjuster varies the relationship between the main and the brake bridles, varying the angle of attack the kite is set at. The bridle adjuster is very easy to use, you can simply set the kite to suit the conditions. The Blade IV come setup from the factory in the standard ‘Blade’ setting that previous blade users know and love.

It's sort of like a ground-adjustable depower rig. The rings are on the ends of the B-lines and the inverted "V-line" that goes between the A and C lines and slides through it. Here is a crude schematic from an article I'm working on...

Thanks for posting the schematic Angus. The system seemed to work pretty well. I could really tell the difference when I changed the settings.

So, kinda curious, when the power/lift's turned up does the kite still have that raw, gonna kill you stupid amount of lift? I know the Blades have been legends for quite some time. Now I'm hearing that they're way more freindly. Sounds like you've got the best of both worlds.

Just get my 4.9 blade back from flexifoil.Pablo new blade have better pop than III version and in same time it fealt that is is smoother.Nice take off aad than floaty landings.If You are in to jumping or like to play loops with kite while jump/riding this is the way to go.I have to say that after I started flying IV I don't fly nothing else and I flew lots of kites.New blades are really fast on turn, soft on handless but in same time super stable,so You don't have to worry that it will colapse.I should mantion that it was my first kite I was able to loop it while airborne and land it with no problems.That should give You picture..KIte have big pop,my 220lb a$$ have no problems to see land from 15' above land and in same time I have broked 2 harnesses(one hook)5 handless,6sets of lines...
If You guys want to try it just send me pm or meet me on any kite meeting.I can't send You a kite but You are more than welcome to try it on a beach or lake.
Cheers

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell It's sort of like a ground-adjustable depower rig. The rings are on the ends of the B-lines and the inverted "V-line" that goes between the A and C lines and slides through it. Here is a crude schematic from an article I'm working on...

This looks very similar to the VCS (variable camber system) used in the original Quad-Trac. The Quad-Trac only had the (A) lines move up and down and did not use a ring. Two line adjustment sounds like it would be better. we opted for the one line mainly for quicker changes in the field.

zloty - what knot (bridle setting) do you keep your Blades on?

Check this link for settings:

http://www.flexifoil.com/downloads/instruction_manuals/bladeiv_tripleA_ammend.pdf

I usually set mine to Normal or Low Angle. I found at High Angle, it is hard to get it off the ground and at Very Low Angle, it collapses easily at the edge. - Brian

It works best for me on normal in most conditions.

Quote:

Originally posted by DaVinch After owning a full quiver of Blade IIIs, I thought it was time to upgrade to a Blade IV. The packaging and instructions oozes the typical Flexifoil quality. The kite material feels the same as the Blade IIIs – not as light as Mac Para Begos, but still very good. The backpack is very well built. A little overkill, but it works well when parapacking since it has some useful side panels. The first thing you’ll notice is the adjustable bridle (more lines). It allows you to easily change the kite from more to less lift just by moving two knots. This will be interesting to compare the settings once the winds start blowing. Why is there never any wind when a new kite comes to the house?? No wind…So, I had time to take a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. 3m on the left - 4.9m on the right I’ll continue this review once I use it in some proper winds.