I just flew a Blade IV 6.5m loaned from Tridude. That is by far the most well engineered, well designed, no compromise kite I've ever had my hands on. I found myself calculating "ok, if I sell my Crossfire and my 2 Panshs I will have this much money". It is that nice. I had it set on the least lifty setting in 6-8 mph and it picked me up 5-6 times, with one getting my feet 3-4 feet off the ground. What is this piece of machinery like on a more lifty setting with 15 mph winds? To get it to luff I had to have it at the edge of the window AND the wind completely die. It is the best flying kite I've ever flown. It has better speed than a 5m Ace as I remember. And it doesn't stop there either, the bag is a piece of rugged art. It is plenty tough, and looks like it will go the distance and stay nice looking. The lines are very slick to be the extreme duty lines. And those handles feel just right in your hands. They look very strong, have just enough padding that stays put, and those nice neoprene sleeves where the lines come out of the handles. Wow.

Now that I think about it, I bet Angus put Tridude up to this loan. I'm sure he has one or two ready to ship. I knew someday I would want one but now it is a pressing need.

Wow, 3-4 feet off the ground in 6-8 MPH. And in the least lift setting no less. It sounds like a great low wind machine.

Add this to the long long list of glowing Blade IV reviews. I guess their probably worth the $&, but they sure aren't cheap. I wonder if a government rebate check is enough to cover a Blade IV 6.5?

B'Bob,
I notice in your photo's that Wexler and your Dad hold their handles with all fingers below the top fly line ? I find it is far easier to control with one finger above the fly line!

I fell in love too! I got to fly the 4.9 Hard to beat.

I have learned and therefore taught others to hold the handle that way when they are flying a little too much kite for the conditions. Yes it isn't optimal when conditions are optimal but if you want more ability to brake if you are nervous when launching or if it is gusty, that can give you some confidence. Then when you are sure you can control the kite, move the finger up. I've done it many times myself and drop into that position as a first emergency step if I realize I'm in over my head. I zoomed in on the pic below and Wexler is holding correctly. He flew the Blade today and held the handles that way to start and then moved his finger up.

I never fly with the leader lines through my fingers unless I'm really being overpowered and need to give my wrists a break.

All fingers below the leaders for me, all the time. That is one of the reasons flexi handles aren't my favorite as their contour pretty much forces you to have the leader between your fingers.

But I like to fly on the brakes and pretty much use brake turns only.

Another thing on this is on Profoil handles, the thick foam stops just below the leader. It is uncomfortable to fly on those handles with a finger above the leader. But otherwise, I have one finger above.

I hear what B-Roc and BeamerBob are saying, but it's never felt right for me to not have my index finger above the front line, and my thumb parked on the back rear edge of the handle top. Even in nukin' winds.

Each to their own I guess, but I like being able to pivot the bottom of the handle around the index finger with the other three fingers. I gotta say though, my first kite was a Quadrafoil 2m with the QuadTrac handles, and those things made my hands achebetween the index and middle finger - don't know why.

krumly

Glad you enjoyed it and no Angus did not put me up to this:D Great pics and youll be fine in 15 mph winds! Enjoy!

Bob, HANG ON!! in 15-17mph wind It has got to be badder than my Blade2 6.4 in that wind! These kites a something to be respected in strong winds.The B4 with the aoa knots helps a great deal B2 does not have these But it will snatch you for a nice float in gusty wind! Have fun get one soon and be careful. Sthrasher. Hey I think it was tridude that got me to buy my Blade also.. Hum....

They sure are sweet low wind engines. Now put them on block hooked to harness and You have this http://www.flickr.com/photos/slawek2006/608354144/in/set-721...

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Originally posted by zloty They sure are sweet low wind engines. Now put them on block hooked to harness and You have this http://www.flickr.com/photos/slawek2006/608354144/in/set-721...

You got skillz!

Hell yea he does! Look at that quiver of Blades he has to love to jump! Also killer saftey gear. He looks like Robocop!

Actually the picture I 1st noticed this in was one of Wexler on someone I forgets website ??? Then that recent link to your photos and I noticed you Dad flying that way.

This is turning into an interesting topic. I always actively fly with one finger above but when I'm chickening out or bringing it down I very often have to move my hands way down to the bottom.

I'll have to try it with all below next time out haven't tried for years. Back when I was starting I know I found that messed me up :puzzled:

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob I zoomed in on the pic below and Wexler is holding correctly. He flew the Blade today and held the handles that way to start and then moved his finger up. Another pic

Ok Ok I am in no way or capacity affilliated with Flexifoil. I have notice over my short flying tenure that all we hear about with Blades is lift. The IV series flight characteristics are amazing and yes they lift too. Maybe Da Vinch will post up a 6.5 to demo this time!

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude Ok Ok I am in no way or capacity affilliated with Flexifoil. I have notice over my short flying tenure that all we hear about with Blades is lift. The IV series flight characteristics are amazing and yes they lift too. Maybe Da Vinch will post up a 6.5 to demo this time!

I will agree with that point. In a U2U to Tridude, I just told him the thing that kept coming back to mind about the blade was how it turns. It is very responsive. It turns more like a 5m kite. And it isn't a persnickity race kite either. It blends the power and lift of the highest ends of kites, with the stability of a beamer. It's like they found a way to maximize both aspects instead of picking one. That is the magic here. No other kite I've flown (limited) has had both ends of performance and stability in equal doses. I'll have a more complete comparison after next weekend. I will get to stake out and fly the blade beside a 6m and 4m Ace, and my Crossfire. I will be able to explain the relative strengths and weeknesses of each kite.

One question you got 3/4 feet on a pend.......and Wex flew her too? Wooohoo he must have had a good time:o. Look forward to hearing what you think when you move up to the next AOA knot...........

What is the low end of the 6.5? I'd be curious to test the low end of the 8.5 Blade. I've had some dissapointing wind days that have had me testing the low end of the PL Reactor 8.3m It is a light weight sail like the Blade but of course not as lifty. I can launch in 4 mph and buggy in 5.

[Start of Digression] The Crossfire II's will be here the end of March and they will have a 10m version. they ave always been a heavier build (lot of reinforcements), but the bigger one might be fun to play with. [/ End of digression]

I'm looking forward to trying out an 8.3m Reactor soon Angus.

I think it would be perfect for my low wind days with the Dirtsurfer.

winds WSW @ 10 today and WNW @ 16 tomorrow. I wonder what Beamerbob is doing:?:

I'm looking at that West wind. Low tide at 4pm. I'm outta here by 2. Four mile runs each way are likely

4 mile runs each way! You guys are spoiled. There is no wind here this weekend for me.:sniff:

ACampbell has a sweet beach for sure. Im grounded, only have one kite and winds are offshore/too strong so Im grounded workin that Honey Do list!

Only have one kite?

Yep, 2 on loan and just sold my 7m Pulse to a PKF member. Ill let him spread his good news!

You gotta get more kites! Are you going to NABX this april?

I was flying the Blade with my dad the other day it is by far, the best handling 5 to 7 meter kite I have ever flown I thought I would never find a better kite than that peter lynn reactor i flew with Angus, until I flew that Blade. The thing that amazes me the most is its handling as a kite that big and those cross bridles.:o

Hey Wexler Welcome to the Forum. We just have to get your Grandpa online now.
Reviews on kites from 3 generations of the same family ! :cool2:

And YES, It looks like Tridude practicaly gave me the 7m Pulse so he will pick up the 8m P3 soon. :tumble:

Maybe next time I visit him Ill show him how to get on the forum. Wont that be something.

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Originally posted by wexler Maybe next time I visit him Ill show him how to get on the forum. Wont that be something.

YES.... Not sure if your Dad told you but I think the 3 generations sharing this thing is just plain COOL !!!