It's with the softer blades that the quality of the carbon blade starts to shine. That's why Leader soft carbon blades are useless, and Leader medium is significantly stiffer than what I chose for the Speardiver medium.
Posts by Dan
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Nice video.
The only way to prevent a carbon fin from breaking in Pathos foot pockets is to make it significantly stiffer, to the point where the flex is not to my taste. I prefer a softer fin, it tires my legs much less and gives me the same propulsion, also allowing a better breath hold. Having watched the video, I can tell you starting at 1:27 that is a stiff fin.
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I wouldn't say Pathos were or are my favorite foot pockets for the reasons previously stated, and because they always put too much pressure on my instep, the Pathos foot pockets are rather flat on top. I was at first very impressed with them because of how light they are. Further, from a sellers perspective I enjoyed the simple/quick/clean glue-in installation. I've never broken a blade myself, but had a few customers break them in Pathos foot pockets. I kept honoring the warranty until I realized what was happening. I would then replace the blade letting the customer know that the blade is no longer warrantied in Pathos foot pockets, and recommended other foot pockets to maintain the warranty. The customer could choose to continue using the new blades with their Pathos foot pockets, but now would be aware there's no warranty. Many are still using the blades with the Pathos without a problem, and in some cases the blade outlasted the foot pockets.
That said I currently use a Speardiver medium soft blade with generation 2 Pathos foot pockets. Generation 2 are from 3 years ago and are stiffer than the current production offering the blade more support. IMO Pathos foot pockets are suitable if you got enough dough that breaking a carbon blade and replacing it out of pocket won't make you cry, or whoever sold you the fin will warranty it. If you don't have an aggressive swimming style, the Pathos lack power on demand such as swimming against current or fighting a big fish. If you have a nice easy kick and don't find yourself fighting current often they'll be OK. Also I don't recommend them for cold water diving, the foot pockets will break much faster lasting two seasons if that. I'm looking to replace the foot pockets on my fins, but have been holding off until the Speardiver foot pockets are ready.
I don't think Pathos foot pockets are a good combination with fiberglass blades. FG blades are too heavy for these small foot pockets.
Some people maintain that the stiffness and flex properties of the fin should come solely from the blade, with the foot pocket not hindering the blade at all. I consider this idea wishful thinking.
hotstepper, if you're curious about the weight of the Moana blade, post the size of your Pathos foot pocket, and I'll give you its exact weight. If Cyanoacrylate glue was used for installation the glue weight is negligible, so total fin weight minus the foot pocket weight will give you the weight of the carbon blade with rails.
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I offer Speardiver carbon fins with Pathos foot pockets until my current stock of Pathos foot pockets runs out, but without the 2 year warranty on the blades. Some divers still buy them because of how light the fins turn out. New fin companies like Sleep apnea, Moana and others have since picked up the Pathos like they're the new black.
but the blade is actually lighter than other carbon blades.
What is the weight of the blade with the rails? It's not stated on the website and you can't take it out of the footpocket so I'm not sure how you'd know. The name of the footpocket manufacturer is Pathos not Panthos.
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sdeisen is correct. Also because the blades don't use rails with Pathos foot pockets, it's a straight glue-in so the fin feels tighter/more compact all around. Divers not well familiar with different carbon blade/foot pocket combinations are quickly impressed by the lightness of a fin using Pathos f/p, and it becomes an instant selling point. The truth of the matter is that due to their lightness/less material the Pathos foot pockets are not durable, don't transfer power as well as more robust foot pockets, and don't offer the blade proper support. I know this because I was first to introduce Pathos f/p to the US 3 years ago, and so was first in a position to make this determination. After these new fin companies get a few broken blades with Pathos footpockets and have to replace them, they'll stop offering the Pathos f/p with their carbon blades.
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Will do.
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This depends on how the suit fits you. Different body types need the most stretch in different places. If it's on the forearm Popeye would certainly have a problem
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If you're thinking of gluing this patch on a Speardiver open cell suit, the suit will lose its stretchy properties in that area.
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Congratulations!
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Dan, speaking of wetsuits....what's the best way to repair a razor cut about 2 inches long?
To repair an open cell suit use Seal Cement Black 2oz to glue the neoprene. It's easy to apply and makes a very strong flexible bond, you won't feel the repaired area against your skin.
If the tear went right through the suit use this Iron On Wetsuit Repair Patch - Freedive Store to patch the outside after gluing the neoprene with seal cement.
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It's a new breed of cuda, natural selection at work
Move out of the way.. I don't think so, they're lightning fast with that shape. -
Yikes, you got that one in a thousand. Heal fast.
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Nice RIB.
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Mani with an 80lb wahoo from today. I asked Mani what float he used, he said he forgot his float so he used the boat's life ring. The wahoo took it down once about 3ft.
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Be well.
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This next installment of the Mako Spearguns expose is about the new MAKO Freedive Hunter Freediving Fins. Note the Coming soon!! it'd a long boat ride from Hang Fung China to Virginia. I get a kick out of this quote from the product description.
QuoteThe blade is made of a highly flexible yet strong Polypropylene composite material, designed to maximize thrust and stability. This is no cheap, off the shelf, fin found at sporting goods stores. These are probably the finest entry level fins available.
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I figured it was a cover story for not building a speargun <img src= " height="23" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x"> But what does a tent spike have to do with being a history buff?
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looks good but does it put too much strain on your fingers ?
This should help <img src= " height="23" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x">
Seriously Judah, one more thing to carry and worry about getting poked by. Shifting all your essential gear around to accommodate another non essential piece? The point of the knife (no pun intended) is that it's multi use. Concerns about losing it should not be a determining factor. Put a bungee loop on it and make it habit of putting your hand through every time. The reason I use the spike to brain fish is because I'm too fat and lazy to bend over and pull it out of its sheath. Getting the spike out will be the same procedure so what's the point.
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The spear can be uses for braining a fish. I use the shark spike, it's a better grip.
QuoteWhat does Iki means?
It's Chinese for master seamstress. Judah, are you planning to stitch your fish back together after you tear them up? <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">
