Paddles: Kevlar Edging

[Albert]

Many players have kevlar edging on their carbon blades. I do, but I seem to wear out the tape fairly quickly. Repairing is messy and uglier than without the tape.

Is the extra wear worth the hassle of repair, cost & weight?

Thoughts and experiences?

albert

[Martijn]

I only have experience with the Double Dutch paddles with added kevlar edges.. so purely on the experience with this paddle:

Before they had those edges, there we're problems with blades 'splitting' at the ends after extensive use.. to protect the blade itself, they added the kevlar.
My Experience is that the tape wears of after a while.. but I'm still happy that it's only the kevlar and the carbon underneath is still fine..
I also find it fairly easy to repair.. just get rid of the old kevlar, sandpaper the edge, soak a new piece of kevlar seamtape with epoxy, and get rid of the overload of epoxy on the kevlar, and simply stick it on..
I normally put the kevlar tape in a small pot with epoxy, and then pull it through my finger and thumb (wearing a plastic glove) to get rid of the epoxy you don't want..
My new kevlar looks the same as the old one.. and sticks better as I'm not too lazy to sandpaper...

The new double dutch blades don't come with kevlar anymore.. they are a new thicker model prepreg construction, and should be stronger..

ok.. that were my experiences..
gr.
Martijn

[Izzy]

Hey Albert,

On you other picture you look even better!

[Juno]

To protect the edge of my blades I just run insulation tape around them needs to be replaced more often than kevlar but seems to stop most dings. It doesn't weigh as much as kevlar edging which is a bonus if you like a light paddle especially when adding weight to the extremities.

Just a side question though does anyone find the raised edge caused by the kevlar edging aid in ball control.

[ErikV]

Hi,
Maybe it's easier to repair the paddle with an other fabric than kevlar. You can't use sand paper after you repaired your blade with kevlar. If you use carbon and soak it well with expoxy then you can use sand paper to get the perfect form.

Maybe you can better use an other paddle for white water kayaking:). I can't image that the paddel egde will damage of a canoepolo game.

Bye, Erik
ps. You can also ask for advise at the shop where you bought your paddle.

[Martijn]

Erik,

It's not easier to use sth else...
Glassfiber is an option, as it also comes in tape form.. but not as strong as kevlar.. will get sharp when it gets damaged.. Carbon is very stiff, difficult to bend around your blade..

I don't see any need to sandpaper the kevlar... if you misunderstood: take of the old kevlar... than sandpaper your blade at the edge (carbon+epoxy) so that the new piece you're sticking on holds well... if you use normal kevlar seamtape, you'll have a perfectly smooth finish...

btw. when I put on a new piece of seam, I use 20 gr. of epoxy max. and the kevlar itself is also very light...
I can't imagine you'll feel a lot of difference in weight..

And as for the damaging in canoepolo...
Take a look around at all the paddles... they do get damaged..