Contact   Imprint   Advertising   Guidelines

Switchblade Ice Blade

Forum for snow- and landkiters
jyetley
Rare Poster
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:49 pm
Local Beach: Millacs MN, Pepin WI, Clear Lake IA
Favorite Beaches: Spring: Texas's Laguna Madre or Florida's Pan Handle.
Summer: Michigan's Western Shore
Fall: Upper Mississippi River
Winter: Utah's Wasatch or Wyoming's Teton Mountains.
Style: Freeride
Gear: Ozone, Slingshot, Best
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Minnesota
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby jyetley » Mon Jan 07, 2013 4:42 am

The Switchblade Iceblade is one of those things that I wish I had purchased as soon as I started snowkiting. Like the trainer kite which I purchased to share with my friends and family; only after I struggled with a full sized foil during my own lessons. Or the light-wind Splenne that I purchased a year after I struggled with a typical kiteboard. The Switchblade may seem expensive as first thought, but it is so worth it!

There's a reason why you never see a Switchblade Iceblade for sale on the used market, people love them and they last forever.

Not only will a Switchblade extend your winter kiting season in the early part of the winter, before the snow has fallen...but it will also extend your snowkiting season into the Spring as the snow dwindles on land, but the lakes remain solid! But most surprisingly to me, it has proven to be a great asset every time I have stepped onto a lake this winter! Sure, the snow may be bonded to the ice in some places, but it's rarely bonded thoughout the entire riding area....and generally it's spotty throughout. This is why I love my Swithblade! It makes every lake a blast to ride. Faster, safer, and just way more fun! It has completely saved, or greatly improved everyday I've ridden the lakes this year!

I only wish I had purchased one years ago.

Thanks Todd! http://www.mnkiteboy.com

User avatar
edt
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 7316
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:27 am
Kiting since: 2010
Local Beach: Michigan
Gear: ride hard, no regrets
Has thanked: 529 times
Been thanked: 662 times

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby edt » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:13 am

making my own ice edge from a hockey skate and some angle stainless steel how many inches do you usually set the blade? I'm prolly going with 2 inches down from the bottom of the board.

jyetley
Rare Poster
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:49 pm
Local Beach: Millacs MN, Pepin WI, Clear Lake IA
Favorite Beaches: Spring: Texas's Laguna Madre or Florida's Pan Handle.
Summer: Michigan's Western Shore
Fall: Upper Mississippi River
Winter: Utah's Wasatch or Wyoming's Teton Mountains.
Style: Freeride
Gear: Ozone, Slingshot, Best
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Minnesota
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby jyetley » Mon Jan 07, 2013 4:05 pm

I think 2 inches is way more than you need. I have my Switchblade max out in the depth setting and it's about 1/2" below the bottom of the board. The snowblade cuts through the snow when edging, so you don't need to go that deep. When the board is edging is snow you don't need the assistance of your blade. If the snow isn't bonded to the ice, your board will cut right through. My switch blade is adjustable in and out, as well as up and down. Avoid all the trial and error, metal work, and hassle. Purchase a Switchblade. You won't regret it!

User avatar
edt
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 7316
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:27 am
Kiting since: 2010
Local Beach: Michigan
Gear: ride hard, no regrets
Has thanked: 529 times
Been thanked: 662 times

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby edt » Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:03 pm

I have all the parts and the drill, so I'm def making one, might buy a switchblade too, depends on how this season goes. sounds like it's a mod you leave on all year that's sweet

jyetley
Rare Poster
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:49 pm
Local Beach: Millacs MN, Pepin WI, Clear Lake IA
Favorite Beaches: Spring: Texas's Laguna Madre or Florida's Pan Handle.
Summer: Michigan's Western Shore
Fall: Upper Mississippi River
Winter: Utah's Wasatch or Wyoming's Teton Mountains.
Style: Freeride
Gear: Ozone, Slingshot, Best
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Minnesota
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby jyetley » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:33 pm

I have two snowboards. An old short one for the switchblade and a better longer one for regular terrian and the hills. But I would not be afraid to mount my switchblade to my good board and simply take the switchblade on and off when kiting on the lakes. However, I'd leave the bracket attached as it goes through the wood core...and just simply remove only the blade.

FYI, the blade should be inline with the outer most edges of your snowboard depending on the sidecut of your board. I also just checkout my switchblade and noticed that I'm not all the way down on my depth setting. I'm actually about in the middle of the 1'' allowed of travel....which gives me about a 1/4" below the board. Max would be about 3/4". All the way up would be about -1/4".

The Switchblade is pretty thick. You may find that the hockey blade can't handle that much side load.

User avatar
edt
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 7316
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:27 am
Kiting since: 2010
Local Beach: Michigan
Gear: ride hard, no regrets
Has thanked: 529 times
Been thanked: 662 times

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby edt » Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:30 pm

jyetley I don't get it why on earth wouldn't you just keep it on your board all the time? In good snow it doesn't do anything and you'll be ready if you ever hit an icy patch.

jyetley
Rare Poster
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:49 pm
Local Beach: Millacs MN, Pepin WI, Clear Lake IA
Favorite Beaches: Spring: Texas's Laguna Madre or Florida's Pan Handle.
Summer: Michigan's Western Shore
Fall: Upper Mississippi River
Winter: Utah's Wasatch or Wyoming's Teton Mountains.
Style: Freeride
Gear: Ozone, Slingshot, Best
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Minnesota
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby jyetley » Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:21 pm

I agree, as long as I'm on any lake I always use my Switchblade. But if I was to go kite the mountains, a farm field, or some park area I use my regular snowboard. No reason to dull my Switchblade on some dirt, grass, and/or rocks.

User avatar
Vin Stefanelli
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1144
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:44 am
Gear: Ozone Frenzy
Naish Shockwave
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Nutley NJ USA #1
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Switchblade Ice Blade

Postby Vin Stefanelli » Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:16 am

i do not always use super short, super cheap skiblade skis
but when i do,
its always on glare ice to ice covered by zero to 3 inches of loose snow


Return to “Snow / Land”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 133 guests