DIGGY1600949550

Meeting my blade III 4.9 for the first time can only be compared to when you first meet the wife's parents. I knew I would have to be very careful and do everything correctly otherwise I could be in trouble! I had purchased the kite from a fellow kiter and had parted with my money knowing it had been well spent. I gently laid the now well known Quality Flexifoil ruck sack on the ground and carefully unzipped the sides. The rucksack, as many have said in the past is almost too nice. I know it shows a sign of quality of the flexifoil brand but maybe a little bit too much attention had been paid to the packaging. I'm sure many of us would rather have a less comprehensive rucksack and a cheaper kite. My heart was pounding and my mouth seemed strangely dry! The kite had been Para packed, I promptly staked the handles making sure that they were very very secure and proceeded to walk the lines out. After unravelling the kite I watched it slowly inflate and then sit to attention. I walked back to the stake and prepared for my first Blade experience. The kite sat there waiting, almost smiling at me, beckoning me to pull the lines taught. "Go on I dare you, go on I dare you!!" Nervously I attach the kite killers, hoping that they will not be required. I unstaked the handles and brought them up in front of me. I have never attempted a bungee jump or parachute jump but grabbing hold of the neoprene covered handles filled my veins with adrenaline as I assume it would do prior to jumping out of an aircraft. I was going to fly this kite in around 8-10 mph winds. A gentle pull of the main lines and the kite slowly rose from the ground and then accelerated to the zenith where it sat looking down on me as parent would to a naughty child. I have to say that the lift was noticeable but not unnerving. I had with out noticing, adopted the obligatory blade pose. I.e. looking upwards with arms out stretched almost as if I was praying to the god of the wind. After a few moments to accustom myself, I foolishly started to question what all the fuss was about. My 4.5 Bullet had always been my favourite kite. Being a good buggy kite, stable, predictable and dare I say it, pretty in Flo Orange. The blade appeared to have a similar feel to it. With this growing air of confidence, I decided to see what this kite could do. The thing that impressed me immediately was the range in the wind window. The kite would easily pull for almost 180 degrees from left to right. The power in the centre of the window could only be classed as awesome. The lift was considerably more noticeable than my buggy engine bullet. I tried a few pendulum type jumps and after a few attempts did manage to get some success. The kite would luff and all out of the sky but when it did you were not surprised as it had already flown far past where the bullet would have collapsed. While flying I noticed that my top lip had become stuck to my front teeth. Why? Because the Blade had induced a smile for the last 15 minutes without me realising. I spent the following hour moving the kite throughout the window, learning to pre judge where and when the blade would release its fury. I have had the blade for 3 months now and it my every day kite. The one I take out of the bag first.As yet I haven't had that "plough a trench with my face" scenario but I'm sure it is just a matter of time. Just when I think I have mastered and tamed the legendary Blade it will bite me! If you have read up about the 4.9 blade in the past you will get the impression that it is a kite that will leave you feeling like you would, if you had just confronted Mike Tyson and insulted his mother! That can be the case but it can also be an immensely rewarding. If I was to offer any advice, I would have to say treat this kite with a certain amount of respect but don't be scared of it. The wrath of the Blade III will be experienced when you are not expecting it but in time you will get to know when the wind is just a little bit too strong and you will have the maturity and common sense to leave the blade in the bag and get the bullet out in stead! By : DIGGY