PADDLE BLADES: technologies I constructions I materials

COMPOSITE PRESSURE LAMINATE

Different high quality fibres (carbon, aramid, glass) are soaked with special resins and pressed into paddle blades under high pressure in heated moulds.

Use, weight and price range determine the specific selection of fibres and resins to produce optimum blades.

The lightweight self-supporting foam core provides additional stiffness and buoyancy. Reinforcements at the tips protect the blades against quick wear.

In this way, using best materials, lightweight, stiff and durable paddle blades

are made.

PREPREG

Carbon, aramid or glass fabrics mechanically impregnated in epoxi resin

are called prepregs. The mix of materials is automatically controlled, thus

guaranteeing constant high quality. The prepregs used at Kober Paddles are

manufactured at highest technical standards using the perfect combination

of fabrics. In heated molds these layers are pressed into thin, stiff and very

impact resistant paddle blades using high pressure or vacuum. Precise performance,

optimal weight-to-strength ratio and long-lastingness – even in

permanent use – are the results of this technology.

EFC ENTIRE-FOAM-CORE

Kober realized the advantages of Entire Foam Cores a long time ago and has

used them since 1977:

· More volume in the blade for good buoyancy even in water full of air. Bracing

and rolling are made much easier.

· Even, hydrodynamically perfect cross-section (without any impairing ribs

and edges) for a balanced performance.

· Stiff, light-weight blades through carbon laminate.

ATT ADVANCED THERMOPLAST TECHNOLOGY

Being pioneers in this production technology with its cavity-system, we have

known and appreciated the advantages for a long time:

· Low weight (up to 20% lighter), thin blades, so less power is needed.

Lightweight blades generate less centrifugal force and leverage, so paddles

can be moved with less effort.

· Materials are used specifically for the required applications.

· Additional filament reinforcement.

· Equally spread cooling during production process

= no hidden cracks.

· Tensionless blades – no warping = perfect performance.

Materials used in ATT process:

· Polypropylen (PP)

As with all plastics, the quality of PP is very much dependent on the price.

Kober & Moll use only high quality PP to achieve highest strength, low weight

and high performance. We prefer PP for touring paddles due to its perfect

weight-to-strength ratio. The mechanical properties are influenced positively

by the addition of filaments.

· Polyamid (PA)

As with PP, the quality of this raw material depends directly on the price.

At Kober we use only the best PA available (yes, the one with the highest

impact resistance) for our high quality WW-paddles.

They are additionally reinforced with filaments, resulting in stiff, heavy-duty

blades which are also extremely impact resistant, abrasion resistant and

durable.

Thanks to ATT-cavity-system the paddle blades can be designed with a thin,

hydro-dynamically optimal cross section leading to gentle performance and

needing less power.

The back of the blade doesn’t need any reinforcing ribs which would impair

the performance:

· Whirlpools created at the backside of the blade would lead to a turbulent

stroke.

· Catch and release of the blade would be influenced negatively by water

sticking to the blade. Water sticking to the blade at the release couldn’t

drain quickly enough and would add additional weight to the blade at each

stroke.

This is why paddles by Kober & Moll don´t have those impairing ribs.

RIM REACTION INJECTION MOULDING

Moll paddles made from PU-foam using RIM technology have a compressed

outer surface which is extremely durable. The core however is made up of

big cells and saves on weight. Additionally, this sandwich technology is

shock absorbing and gentle to muscles and joints.

Moll RIM-paddles are favourites among clubs and centres due to their reliability.

Different variations are being used:

· Puro RIM

With Puro-RIM, Moll paddles achieved the break-through. This superb technology

provides Moll RIM-paddles with unique advantages: Lightweight,

shock absorbing, abrasion resistant and long-lasting. High value – low price.

RIM Spezial

RIM Spezial has been developed for extreme wear at low water levels and

for canoe polo, where the blades need to absorb high impacts safely. They

protect muscles and joints, are careless to use in swimming pools.

WOODEN PADDLES

A classic material, wood is a product of nature and at the same

time a renewable resource.

Wooden paddles have a pleasant warm touch, are elastic and

flexible and are gentle to muscles and joints. You will feel it!

Using selected combinations of wood and special glueing techniques,

we achieve an ideal ratio of weight and strength. Varying

with different types of paddles, the blade tips are protected against wear

and damage by either crosswise glued veneer, aluminium or resin edges.

Rich in contrast, wood guarantees an attractive and precious appearance.

SIDE CUT

With side cut blades (blade area tilted down from shaft axis) the stroke can

be set closer to the boat which leads to a faster and better response especially

at vertical moves.

Originally developed for slalom competition, this shape has become more

and more popular among sportive WW paddlers and playboaters in the last

years.

· Moderate side cut for WW and SL

· Aggressive side cut for playboating

TRACKING FIN

A tracking fin is a convex, wedge-shaped line at the front side (koncave side)

of the blade in the extension line of the shaft.

What does it do?

· Equal draining of water from the blade results in a gentle stroke. No

torquing, no fluttering.

· A paddle with a tracking fin performs much smoother in the water, provides

more comfort and is more efficient.

· A blade without a tracking fin causes more turbulence in the water and tends

towards unwelcome fluttering and torquing at a fast stroke. This has to be

compensated by more power from the hands leading to faster fatigue.

Kober has used the tracking fin since the mid-1960s. Hartmut Moll introduced

this advantageous design element to Kober’s SL and WW range first in

1977. Now almost all paddles by Kober & Moll have this tracking fin.

PROTECTING ALUMINIUM EDGE

Special protecting edges made of aluminium in Kober’s laminated paddles

prevent fast wear and damage to the blade. Additionally, blade tips can be

designed thinner maintaining the same stability.

The result is a precise catch and less displacement of water, which leads to

a more exact stroke. Experts appreciate this.

PADDLE SHAFTS: materials I application I ergonomics

ALUMINIUM SHAFTS

All aluminium shafts processed at Kober & Moll are seawater resistant.

Varying according to use, we are offering three different types:

· touring and easy WW, Ø 30 mm, anodized

· kids’ paddles with a smaller diameter, Ø 28 mm

· WW and polo, heavy duty shaft Ø 30 mm, anodized

Grip areas are covered with insulating shrink tube and are oval-shaped to

improve ergonomics, varying according to use.

FIBREGLASS SHAFTS

Fibreglass shafts provide excellent flexibility and have a warmer touch than

aluminium shafts. Thus movements go easy on muscles and joints and the

paddler doesn’t tire that fast.

Varying according to use, different classifications of weigth and strength are

used to reach the optimum for each paddle model.

The surface of our fibreglass shafts is sanded and the grip area is oval-shaped.

This provides a safe grip in all situations.

Especially for paddlers with smaller hands (ladies, juniors), we offer some

models with smaller shafts, so their hands can grip the shaft more easily and

safely.

CARBON SHAFTS

Carbon shafts are stiffer and transfer power faster and more directly than

any other material, which enables the paddler to make significantly more

precise paddle strokes. But the greatest advantage is their low weight.

Therefore carbon shafts are used in high quality WW, touring and competition

paddles.

To provide a safe grip in all situations, they come with a sanded surface and

an oval-shaped grip area.

ERGO SHAFTS

Nowadays a slew of bent shafts is offered by various kinds of manufacturers,

all of them promising to be ergonomically perfect. As different as their

designs and quality are the effects they have on paddlers. Some shafts make

you wonder if marketing strategies and fashion aspects were rather more

important than ergonomic ones.

Kober is one of the pioneers in manufacturing paddles with ergonomical

shafts. Starting in the 1980s, bent shafts made of carbon, and for a while

also of aluminium, have been developed permanently.

The latest Kober Ergo-shaft, designed by Hartmut Moll, provides advantages

to the user at over 95 % of all paddle strokes and techniques compared to

a straight shaft:

· Ergonomically correct fit and so antifatigue

· Minimal movement of the hands

· Less strain on muscles and joints by optimal angle of hands

· Self-stabilizing, no torquing of the paddle

· Optimal adjustment to the bio-mechanics of hands, arms and shoulders

leads to maximum power transfer and direct propulsion

· The ideal position of the blade is almost effortlessly self-adjusting (even during

a roll) because the point of traction of the hand is positioned in front of the

point of pressure at the blade = easier control of blade position.

· Safe adjustment also at backwards strokes as the hand’s traction point is

just slightly moved forward.

Kober makes all carbon Ergo shafts for uncompromising propulsion and

fibreglass-carbon shafts for more flex and a softer response.

CANOE PADDLE GRIPS: shapes I application

BENT GRIP

Adapted to the hand’s shape. Provides exact control of the

paddle and makes manoeuvring easier. Prefered in swift waters.

COMBI GRIP

Designed for use both in WW and calm water. Combines the

advantages of T- and Palm-Grip.

T-SPADE GRIP

Provides a very good grip to the hand, enables precise manoeuvring,

particularly in WW and competition.

PALM GRIP

Different hand positions on the grip are possible, providing

relaxed paddling on long trips. Prefered in calm, deep waters.

SPLITSYSTEMS: materials I construction

T1 – ALUMINIUM SPLIT

For aluminium shafts. Works like tentpoles and is locked by a

spring button. 60° right and left feathered.

T2 – GFK SPLIT

For fibreglass and carbon shafts. Internal fibreglass tube

locks with a spring button. 60° right and left feathered.

T4 – VARIO SPLIT

For fibreglass and carbon shafts only. The shaft can be

lengthened by about 10 cm, the feather can be set variably

at any angle.

T5 – EASY CLIP SPLIT

For fibreglass and carbon shafts. It can be adjusted in steps

of 15° by a bayonet lock. Both right and left feathered.