Quick Blade 8" Slimline
Mona Vale
11 February 2010
I was visiting Andrew from Balmoral Boards the other day and we got talking about paddles. He was raving about this Slimline Quick Blade he had been using and even though I was very happy with my current paddles I accepted his offer of taking a brand new one for a spin. It wasn't until a few days later that I finally found the time to cut it down to my size and get it wet.
One word: Control.
The 8" Slimline supplies so much control between the paddler and the water. No wiggles, no wobbles, just 100% smooth drive resulting in direct forward momentum.
I cut it down to eight inches overhead - a nice length for flatwater paddling, in my opinion, as I thought this would be an ideal paddle for me on my longer boards.
I went out at Mona Vale Basin on my PSH 12'0" Gun. It was only small - about 2 feet on the biggest sets with a very light onshore wind. The water was empty which is almost unheard of during daylight hours at the Basin when there is any kind of clean wave breaking there - probably had something to do with the shark attack that happened there about an hour earlier. Heaps of photographers and TV news crews were shooting me which was very flattering - but that also probably had something to do with the shark attack that happened there about an hour earlier.
The length felt great on the first few strokes - I sit higher out of the water on my 12 footer than I do on my 8'8" and the blade was sitting nicely in the water during a natural stroke.
This is the first blade I've used for a while with a dihedral or spine down the middle. I used to think maybe these were unnecessary but the control you get with this paddle is unbelievable. You can push it as hard as you like without it wavering even the slightest. All your effort goes directly where it is supposed to with no wasted drive caused by cavitation. The overall effect is total stability, control and direct power - just what we all look for in a paddle.
The power comes into its own when you are trying to get onto waves. Those tiny peelers were tricky to get into but I didn't miss a single wave with my big board/powerful paddle combo.
Even though smaller than most, the 8" Quick Blade is bigger than I generally use in the surf. However, the 575 grams of Slimline is easily nimble enough to swap hands quickly and move around the board without being a hindrance at all. Its easy entry and smooth release from the water makes those quick little strokes while surfing a breeze and it's a great width for pushing your board around with plenty of power - especially when your board is 12'0".
The grip on my version of the Slimline is soooo comfortable. The ergonomic carbon handle is sheathed in a thin layer of EVA foam which supplies great, non slip control and exceptional comfort in the hand. I love it. All paddles should have these I reckon. It makes using the paddle a luxurious pleasure.
When Andrew gave me the paddle he pointed out the red line around the edge of the blade, stating that it was some kind of PVC which minimises the damage to your rails as it is much softer than carbon fibre. I felt it. It felt sharp and hard. I was sceptical. I've use the paddle quite a few times now both in the surf and in frantic race situations - not a mark on my rails at all. Cool. It must really work.
The quality of this paddle is awesome. I'm not sure how they are made but it looks like a machine has popped out this little puppy - no amount of hand glassing expertise could create a piece of engineering this perfect. Have a close look at one sometime - even the carbon weave is perfectly aligned.
Highs:
- Heaps of controlled power.
- Light weight.
- Extremely smooth through the water.
- Beautifully comfortable handle.
- Quality construction.
Lows:
- Doesn't come with a cover.
I have the 8.7 they are the ducks nuts
Only one I have not snapped yet. Why did I say that???
Hey Casso,
How much flex/bend are you getting out of the shaft?
I am currently using the Methane for Long Distance paddles, but think it is a little stiff for what I'm doing. I've heard great things about these paddles but am looking for more shaft flex.
Thanks for posting this I was considering getting a QB Kanaha but I might opt for Slimline instead
Can anyone advise if you can get a choice in handles on these blades. It appears most brands have there own design of handle.
To me a handle has a big influence over my choice of blade.
I tried a 'Kia Kaha paddle' a couple of weeks ago and the one thing that impressed me was the handle not to mention the flex in the paddle. 
DJ, the Quickblade blades look a bit alike until you put them side by side.
What you have is the PSH 7'5" paddle and the 8'7 FG Kanaha and the two Race Elite blades (500g each).
The classic 'spade' shape of the QB Kanaha series adds a lot of low down torque.
The 8" Slimline that Casso tried was developed by Candice Appleby as a more surf specific blade.
It is a great paddle or those who want one paddle for surf and flat water.
Why? It is a surf specific design which feels very different to the Kanaha Blade.
AA said...
Thanks for the info Andrew.. Do they still do the normal style T grip handles?
I know Dave Kalama uses Quick Blade paddles and I've heard that he uses a 10" Blade.. I wonder if they make one specially for him?
DJ
Hey DJ, yes there is a T-series handles available along with the Ergo P-series.
We carry the Ergo P-series with EVA in Black.
The other colours and options (with and without EVA) are available to order and will come on-line as standard options next season.
Cheers
Andrew.A
the shaka is a good dw paddle as well as the 8.7 qb elite racer. have used both. it would be the ants pants for me if the 8.7 er qb was reduced just a touch in size. anyone else think so?
May be the photo but the slimline might have more area as the blade looks longer. Any area figures AA??
Thanks AA
Another question,
how come a lot of the naish team riders use QB?
not naish?
Here are some photos of my 8" Slimline:
Long shot:
Blade shape:
Dihedral:
PVC edge and perfect carbon weave:
Luxuriously comfortable handle:
If you want the dihedral grip / shaft ;
Try building up the back of the shaft (at the lower hand) with a little strapping tape / grip tape, and then wrapping that with more grip tape....
I have not tried it yet, but thinking of trying it. Smooth shafts are fine, but I've found the smooth shaft annoying at times, with sunscreen still on the hands.... I'm sure grip tape would slowly tear up you hands on a long distance paddle though...
Any suggestions? Comments?
I'd love to know why Candice wanted a taller 8" blade. The area looks greater than the shorter 8.3" wide blade.
We have 8.3" wide Elite Racer paddles with palm grip handles, without EVA padding. I've seen some rental paddles with torn up EVA, so we decided not to go for that option. I tend to throw my paddles in the truck and not take the best of care of them. My wife had her handle factory installed. If factory installed, they give you a special extra light weight thinner palm handle. To me the special handle looks like they skipped the hot coat. It is a flat finish sanded handle.
These paddles are freaky LIGHT. It really helps on down winders when you're exhausted.
How do they take these measurements? I bought a new Quickbklade kanaha paddle yesterday. In the booklet that comes with it its listed as a Slimline design at 8.2 inches wide. I got the guy in the shop to confirm it was an 8.2" blade but I got home and using my tape measure on the widest part of the blade it indicates the width 9".
Am I missing something here or have I been sold a dud? The whole reason I went for the 8.2" width is my 9" werner is too much blade for long paddles and upwind slogs.
I'll be Fkn furious if I find out I just spent $500 on a paddle that has the same size issues as the one I wanted to replace.
shq forever lol
