Author Topic: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design  (Read 22558 times)

LM

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Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« on: March 04, 2016, 01:12:00 AM »
Just wanted to let you all know Ke Nalu has a new blade design that will be available soon; the "Mana" was inspired by the Konihi & since there's been so much talk about a 90 sq. in. blade that's one of the two sizes offered. The other will be an 82 sq. in.

So what's new?

The Mana has a slightly narrower tip for a smooth as silk entry, a more parallel outline with more cupping added and deeper concaves to provide more power from smaller sq. in. blade sizes. We've also incorporated the "winglets" of the Konihi but lowered them down just a bit (from the shaft end of the blade) doing this helps reduce the "sucking" sound that was reported from the Konihi when not fully planting before starting your stroke. All this combined gives you more power with less fatigue.

I was thinking of running a "Zonestarter"special (kinda like Kickstarter but just for you guys) that would both help with the production costs as well as get some paddles in your hands for an "early bird" special price. The Mana will retail for $475 but for the Zonestarter special I'll offer them for $100 bucks off at $375. Since the goal is to help with production costs it will require payment up front. Production is yet to start but I'm VERY much hoping to have these available in about a month. Those that take advantage of this will have the first production models available. Please PM me if interested.


Luc Benac

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2016, 07:23:19 AM »
Just wanted to let you all know Ke Nalu has a new blade design that will be available soon; the "Mana" was inspired by the Konihi & since there's been so much talk about a 90 sq. in. blade that's one of the two sizes offered. The other will be an 82 sq. in.

So what's new?

The Mana has a slightly narrower tip for a smooth as silk entry, a more parallel outline with more cupping added and deeper concaves to provide more power from smaller sq. in. blade sizes. We've also incorporated the "winglets" of the Konihi but lowered them down just a bit (from the shaft end of the blade) doing this helps reduce the "sucking" sound that was reported from the Konihi when not fully planting before starting your stroke. All this combined gives you more power with less fatigue.

I was thinking of running a "Zonestarter"special (kinda like Kickstarter but just for you guys) that would both help with the production costs as well as get some paddles in your hands for an "early bird" special price. The Mana will retail for $475 but for the Zonestarter special I'll offer them for $100 bucks off at $375. Since the goal is to help with production costs it will require payment up front. Production is yet to start but I'm VERY much hoping to have these available in about a month. Those that take advantage of this will have the first production models available. Please PM me if interested.

I am in line for one :-)
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Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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LM

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2016, 09:53:18 AM »
I forgot to mention a couple things: The price quoted is for the complete paddle. For this deal I'm only offering the complete paddle. I also forgot to mention, if you decide to go for this please include in a PM your requested blade size (90 sq. in. or 82 sq. in) shaft type & handle type also your email address so I can send a Paypal payment request & when paying please make sure your address is a physical address (rather than PO box) since these will be sent UPS (shipping charges of $30 will apply) & please only one paddle per person. Finally, I'm only able to offer this to shipments within the US

LM

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2016, 09:49:29 PM »
Just wanted to send out a quick thanks for those that have taken advantage of the "Zonestarter" deal so far & also give this a bump for those who might not have seen it. I'll be running this offer until we start production so if you're interested make sure you get in touch with me. This is a one time offer that'll save you $100 don't miss out.

ctuna

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2016, 07:19:39 PM »
Can you explain is this a good surf blade.
Would the winglets detract from using this style blade in the surf.

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2016, 05:18:08 AM »
Can you explain is this a good surf blade.
Would the winglets detract from using this style blade in the surf.

I think it would work great, but I like the Konihi for surf too. The winglets don't seem to bother me or get in the way but others have reported they don't like the winglets in surf, so I suppose it's kind of a personal preference thing.

Beasho

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2016, 02:10:01 PM »
Can you explain is this a good surf blade.
Would the winglets detract from using this style blade in the surf.

I use the comparable, WINGED Konihi exclusively in the surf.  2 thumbs up. 

The advantage is efficiency and light weight.  I have been using the blade for 10 months and caught 1,487 waves ranging from 3 to 25 feet using the paddle.  I have never experienced any "edge grab" in fact I don't know what people are talking about.  With regards to using the paddle on the face of a wave I do it all the time even in big critical stuff.  The Konihi is great.  If the Mana blade is better sign me up.

Here are examples where my Konihi blade is clearly scraping the surface.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2016, 02:38:17 PM by Beasho »

PonoBill

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2016, 02:37:32 PM »
Probably just my heavy-handedness, and the fact that I'm so used to KeNalu molikos and Molokais in the surf that it feels odd. I learned to back brace it a little, which is actually good technique anyway. But I get occasional grab. Didn't try them long enough to get used to them. It's all I use for downwind and racing--faster than any other paddle I've tested.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Beasho

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2016, 02:46:08 PM »
It's all I use for downwind and racing--faster than any other paddle I've tested.

I assume you are talking about the Konihi?  That speed is what I like.  However I am not surfing punchy, 2 strokes and you're in, shore break where a Molokai could be, maybe, better for 0 - 60 as opposed to 0 - 100.

With regards to the back brace the best examples I have had were when get chased by 2X overhead and closed out.  I have been getting better at INSISTING I DON'T FALL a la John John Florence Eddie style.  When you get blown up from behind a quick forehand or back hand through the foam can save you.  On my back hand recovery (e.g. 3rd leg of stool) I still haven't experienced the grab. 

covesurfer

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2016, 03:03:11 PM »
I've been using my Konihi 95 in the surf all el nino, I mean Winter. It is awesome. I especially like that I can tap out high cadence and build up nice speed when I'm trying to get out between sets. I also feel that I have just the right amount of power in the blade when I'm taking off.  I have had zero issues with bracing. I love how the Konihi accelerates and it has a super nice feel.

That said, when I first got the blade, I used on on some downwinders and it did feel a little 'catchy' when bracing. I don't know why but that feeling went away and I don't notice it at all in surf. I would use the Konihi for downwind too except that I've set up the paddle about an inch or so shorter than my QB V Drive. With the thickness of my DW board, I need more length when paddling it, especially compared to my SUS board. Once our surf gets less common, I will probably set up the Konihi paddle for downwind. I have an adjustable Ke Nalu handle on the Elite 100 flex so I can lengthen the paddle. Only issue I've had is the wings getting chipped up from rail bangs. I coated them with epoxy and it's helped.

supzz

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2016, 05:00:04 PM »
I was looking to downsize from my Konihi 95 to the 84. Do you think that the Mana 82 will be comparable/better? I'm only 66kg and the 95 has been too much paddle for me (got it on a deal that I couldn't pass up).

ctuna

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2016, 11:18:27 PM »
I have an original elite with a 95 and Hoo loa 84 my
guess is a 90 would be somewhere in between as far as
power is concerned, would this be correct.
I have been pretty much only using the Hoo loa and I just
go out with the intention of surfing.

covesurfer

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2016, 12:18:01 AM »
I decided to take my Konihi 95 surf paddle (see post above) on a downwind run today. It's about an inch and a half shorter than my V Drive, which is my normal downwind paddle.

It was a very good downwinder due to the conditions but my paddle was a major factor. I LOVED the Konihi today. The shorter length that I would normally just use for surfing was made even more noticeable by the thickness of my 17 4 Bullet V1. But, I was curious. I've heard a lot of folks are going shorter so I thought this would be an interesting experiment.

On the short (1 mile or so) of flatter water, I did notice the length and had to adjust my technique a bit. More bending but it also made me more aware of the importance of my reach. Once the waves began to seriously stack up and I was just downwind paddle surfing, the shorter length became an advantage. I LOVED it. Can't wait to try it again. I was able to get nice high cadence sprints to chase my way into glides and found that I could wring power strokes out of the Konihi more comfortably and certainly more efficiently than with my V Drive, which I also love. If I am able to verify that today's performance from the Konihi wasn't just a fluke due to conditions, it will become my go-to downwind paddle as well. I'm now thinking that I could go even shorter for my surf paddle. I'll measure the paddle length tomorrow. 
« Last Edit: March 17, 2016, 12:22:02 AM by covesurfer »

eastbound

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2016, 07:01:31 AM »
love my konihi 84--but figger ill try the new special sauce, and I need to leave a paddle in FL given i will need to be checking on my father down there more and more
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covesurfer

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Re: Ke Nalu's New Blade Design
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2016, 11:48:43 PM »
Took the Konihi 95 again today on a downwinder with wind in the low 20's. Yesterday does not appear to be a fluke. I am definitely faster with this paddle. Love it and it's going to be my go-to downwinder/racing paddle from this point forward.

 


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