Bobba Fett Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 Having read lots of threads and seen videos I wanted to ask. What makes the blades so powerful? Also are they as stable as my rage or less predictable? Quote
L60N Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 Blade 4 is super stable, not sure why they are so lifty but they do pick you up with ease. My 4.9IV has yanked my 14 stone clean up a good 10ft easily, trouble is they drop you just as quick. Quote
Squarehead666 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 Is the grunt down to the number of open cells.....I've got Blade IIIs and they certainly have a lot more open cells than any of my other kites (except possibly the equally manic Mac Begos). Just a thought, all the best Andy S. Quote
Bobba Fett Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Posted August 30, 2011 People say they are nor for beginners, I'm confident with mine, what sort of thing would be a gauge as to whether I could fly a blade Quote
Squarehead666 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 Simplest answer is to have a go with one.....The 4.9m Blade V's a fine kite, well worth trying out, just for the crack. Where are you based? All the best Andy S. Quote
RedSky Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 I guess it's their high aspect ratio and profile that makes them aggressive lifty kites. It's not necessarily the kite that's dangerous, but the lack of wind knowledge. So beginners are better off with something that produces less lift and aggression until they learn it. Quote
Bobba Fett Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Posted August 30, 2011 Simplest answer is to have a go with one.....The 4.9m Blade V's a fine kite, well worth trying out, just for the crack. Where are you based? All the best Andy S. South Devon Quote
Bobba Fett Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Posted August 30, 2011 I guess it's their high aspect ratio and profile that makes them aggressive lifty kites. It's not necessarily the kite that's dangerous, but the lack of wind knowledge. So beginners are better off with something that produces less lift and aggression until they learn it. I have very good wind knowledge as In previous threads I'm an ex sailing instructor so may give one a bash I think Quote
smackay116 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Posted August 30, 2011 At the weekend it was blowing 25 gusting 40 so i went out in my T3 on the 3.5 rage then after a while it was bring a dog in the gusts so the 4m. Which has lived in my bag since jan came out and bang it up jamp in the bug and away we went i then came in having hit 44.3mph. I then got board and started clowning about freestyleing a racebug --- - Stu Quote
high.as.a.kite Posted August 31, 2011 Report Posted August 31, 2011 Blade 4 is super stable, not sure why they are so lifty but they do pick you up with ease. My 4.9IV has yanked my 14 stone clean up a good 10ft easily, trouble is they drop you just as quick. Are you sure you are getting the redirect right while you're in the air? Any kite will drop you like a stone, especially if you do the wrong thing with them while you are in the air. But I'd say that the later Blades (3, 4 & 5) are as stable and reliable as you're gonna find with a fixed bridle kite. Quote
avspider Posted August 31, 2011 Report Posted August 31, 2011 that really helps the OP stu and he's still slower than Sarah in a buggy ;-) Quote
high.as.a.kite Posted August 31, 2011 Report Posted August 31, 2011 People say they are nor for beginners, I'm confident with mine, what sort of thing would be a gauge as to whether I could fly a blade If you've been flying for a while and are scudding with a Rage then you should be fine to move up to a Blade. Just be cautious the first few time you go out cos a Blade will happily get you airbourne! It would actually be worth getting someone to show you how to do a redirect for when you do get airbourne. In the hands of a beginner a Blade would look less stable and predictable than a Rage, but that would mainly be down to the ability of the flyer. After a few months of flying most flyers wouldn't have a problem flying them, it'll just be that first time they get lofted or Supermanned that is likely to steer people away from flying them again. Quote
Simpster Posted August 31, 2011 Report Posted August 31, 2011 its true they can be lifty i have a blade 4 and you have to keep your eye on it! low wind at first get used to it wont be a problem Quote
Bobba Fett Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Posted August 31, 2011 If you've been flying for a while and are scudding with a Rage then you should be fine to move up to a Blade. Just be cautious the first few time you go out cos a Blade will happily get you airbourne! It would actually be worth getting someone to show you how to do a redirect for when you do get airbourne. In the hands of a beginner a Blade would look less stable and predictable than a Rage, but that would mainly be down to the ability of the flyer. After a few months of flying most flyers wouldn't have a problem flying them, it'll just be that first time they get lofted or Supermanned that is likely to steer people away from flying them again. Thanks, sounds worth bearing in mind. My rage is 3.5, should I get a similar size blade to start with? Quote
mick Posted September 4, 2011 Report Posted September 4, 2011 Thanks, sounds worth bearing in mind. My rage is 3.5, should I get a similar size blade to start with? NEVER GET A SMALLER BLADE than a 4!!!!. If you want to know what pain is try a smaller one. My advise would be to just get a 4.9 III or IV.Light wind at first and then you'll be ok. Bet you never sell it. Quote
smackay116 Posted September 4, 2011 Report Posted September 4, 2011 and he's still slower than Sarah in a buggy ;-) Fair play to her al. But you have big smoth beaches not ones coverd in x sails that shoot down wind and flip! Think im still slower than karen c as well lol --- - Stu Quote
smackay116 Posted September 4, 2011 Report Posted September 4, 2011 NEVER GET A SMALLER BLADE than a 4!!!!. If you want to know what pain is try a smaller one. My advise would be to just get a 4.9 III or IV.Light wind at first and then you'll be ok. Bet you never sell it. Nothing wrong with my 3m in lower winds... Put it out in 30mph plus and you can say goodbuy to the ground and then your arse --- - Stu Quote
mick Posted September 4, 2011 Report Posted September 4, 2011 Yes or in my case, 2 vertibrae and the use of my left arm for 6 mths. Quote
smackay116 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Posted September 5, 2011 Its the seconder lift that gets ya bang up start to fall down than bang up you go again. If your realy lucky you might get three --- - Stu Quote
Squarehead666 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Posted September 5, 2011 (edited) 3m Blade III was my first kite.....The learning curve was fairly steep (and a bit abrasive at times), but I've survived mostly intact and I wouldn't be parted from my little Blade under any circumstances. FWIW & All the best Andy S. PS - Still agree with Mick though.....Get a 4.9m, with hindsight I'd probably buy a IV (or a V if I was feeling flush). Edited September 5, 2011 by Squarehead666 Quote
Bobba Fett Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Posted September 6, 2011 Sounds like a 4.9 is on the cards with lighter winds to begin until the flesh on my backside toughens up! Quote
mick Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Its not your ass that'll get it Bob. These kites have a particular passion for supermanning. Smaller lift very quickly then drop even more so. Bigger ones lift, then lift again. I fly a 4.9 and a 6.6 III and love them both. I wouldn't sell either. My 4.9 being my most used buggy kite. Quote
Bobba Fett Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Posted September 6, 2011 Thanks for the heads up! Never had a superman, is there a was to avoid? Quote
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