Blade Kites

[Beardytello]

Anyone got any experience with Blades?

I'm looking for a new kite (I'm always kind of looking for a new kite) and these seem well priced, I don't see much discussion around them which is either good or bad I suppose!

[nothing2seehere]

I had a 2017 Trigger for while. Wasn't quite what I was thought I was looking for so I moved on to something else.

Bits I remember (and in fairness most of these are the critical bits that made me want to change so take with a pinch of salt)
- Surf mode makes it easier to edge the kite to reduce power. Didn't notice it affect drift. Don't use for a boosting session or you'll be disappointed.
- Too heavy for foiling - kite seeks the water and a bit too heavy. I even more respect for Mark Shinn shooting those foiling videos under the trigger.
- Massive feeling upper end wind range - though in practice I found handling deteriorated substantially at the extreme end.
- Moderate speed turning - not quick not slow.
- Build quality seemed high.
- Max flow valve seems a great system. Liked it a lot
- Doesn't work in the slightest with a high Y split bar.

In summary it seems a good choice for someone who wanted a first kite that would take them through a couple of seasons of progression. The description on the website is pretty true to my experiences, moderate to high (but easily accessible) boost height, medium turns, friendly light bar feel with more than average pull through the front lines (only notice this when the wind picks up).

Do you have any specific questions?

[Beardytello]

Thanks, no specific questions really, I think you'd described it fairly well.

My interest was only really peaked because the 2018 model is currently £400 less than the equivalent North. I guess my best bet would be to try it out, difficult where I live though!

Thanks for the info though.

[ANDl]

I learned on two Blade Vertigos from 2009 (i think) and still have them as a 2nd Quiver.
They´re average in everything. Build quality seems pretty high though. Never had any problems with them and I used them a lot and treated(?) them not really as good as you should
They´re still in a good condition.
Very easy to handle, the 9m turns pretty okay, the 12m is a little to slow IMHO. Lift is good.
Good for beginner or people who want to have an easy kite.

[Greenturtle]

I had a 9m trigger for a while and liked it but it got abused snow kiting and mated with some trees eventually so I didn’t have it very long.
Anyway I would say build quality and flight is good.
I can almost guarantee it would be significantly lighter in weight than the “equivalent” North. In a good way, not talking about durability when I say that.

[sergei Scotland]

I've got a 10m trigger 2016 I got in 2017 new for something like 770 GBP with new Unibar V2 bar !

This was from kitesurfwarehouse I got this deal - I don't think anyone can beat this one!

I am a beginner and this is my best kite so far, but the only kite I can compare is 2011 or 2010 13 m SS RPM which is completely different beast and so much slower.
Compared with SS the 10m Trigger felt really alive and I felt it had good pull too.

I bought a Trigger because this is what I got taught on in 2014.
My instructor was using Triggers himself and was doing easy 15 feet jumps by looping it (often twice in a single jump).

I think kite quality is high, lines seems to be high quality too, bar with changeable width (V3 does not seem to have it though).
Central pumping and no pulleys in bridle

[Slappysan]

I used to fly a quiver of Blade Triggers and was happy with them. I've since moved on to LF Solos and am happier with them though.

The Trigger is:
- a kite that likes to be actively flown, not park and ride
- great low end if you are willing to work the kite, my 10m Trigger could match my 12m Solo (with a lot more work)
- great boosting kite
- not an amazing kite for powered loops, the pull is just too non-linear
- had a tendency to overfly and hindenburg on jumps if you let it

That was the 2013-2015 Trigger, not sure if they've changed.

The best I've ever seen of a Trigger is Sivan Oz in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLFtgcNGTJ8

[a99]

I have still 9 meter trigger 2010 year. Very fast and alive kite. Light. Still not good in gusts above 24 knots. I rode with him on 28-38 knots wind (74kg) and was terrible feeling of gusts, than take my 10 meter rebel 2015 on that same hi wind on that day and was much much easier to ride, no so much gusts feeling. No any doubt that north kite are all head up. Still, trigger is playful as toy and quite powerfull in low wind as 9m, i rode with him in about 13-14 knots easy. Good service from blade replys to emails or question. Received old manual in 5 minutes after demand.

[apollo4000]

Moved from Switchblade to Triggers. More direct bar input and faster turning than the SB at the time. Moved to Rebels but kept my Fat Lady. Will never give this kite away. Awesome.

Triggers are well built, do it all, at great prices from Kitesurfwarehouse.

Agree, Blade after care is great. Nice people.

[eran m]

Hi,
i use blade kites(mainly trigger) since 2009,
Great allaround kite!
- very good construction.
- good turning speed,
- very good hangtime,
- good upwind ability,
- very stable.
- the bar is nice with direct feeling, and i like the bar pressure.