Kinetic Touring - bent shaft

I do have one thing that bothered me and it was the padlock system. Maybe it is just me though. I put the blades on to the end of the 2 piece shaft, and tightened. The blades still felt loose. I tightened a little more, still loose. I was really nervous about over tightening and breaking something because the directions really stressed not over tightening the paddle. Well I turned it very slowly and just a hair at a time and it did tighten up completely. Maybe it was just me worrying to much about breaking a 350$ toy.

I feel like I got an excellent deal on it at 340$ and change with shipping to the door. About 100$ less than I could find the Ikelos for.

The 210 is perfect, hand positioned, and allows a higher cadence due to being much lighter and I can use a higher angle which I realize is my natural paddling preference.

The catch is brilliant and it's good for long days in the sea..

I've been using a Lendal with Kinetic Touring blades and a bent shaft since about 2001, and my passion for this stick hasn't changed. As I get better, I realize how good this thing really is. It's humbling, actually, to own a paddle that is always so much better than the paddler.

Since my last post, I bought a new version in lighter materials (carbon shaft with carbon/nylon blades, 4pc), but I'd feel confident having either in my hands. In fact, when I tried to go to the full carbon blades, I found them TOO light. The heft is part of what keeps me coming back - this paddle can take a beating.

I paddle a 22" boat, am 5'8" and use a 215cm shaft. I've found the paddle handles well whether taking a leisurely tour of area creeks or navigating 5 foot seas and surf. I admit I occasionally use Mystic blades if I'm just going out for some play in the surf, but otherwise you couldn't pry this paddle from my hands. My wife uses a Werner Ikelos, but as much as I like it (and I do like it) I could never switch. The surface area of the KT is ample for rolling but not overkill for long days of paddling. And Lendal's strong indexing makes finding the proper grip a cinch even while fish gazing.

Are there light paddles out there? Sure. Are there prettier ones? Probably. But the real question is: Would I bet my life (or my trip) on anything other than my Lendal? Definitely not.

I really like this paddle, and I believe it is different than other paddles I have tried. The price was high, but I feel you get what you pay for. The blades catch the water as if you had stuck them into wet cement. When I pull on the shaft to complete the stroke, the blade feels firm, with no flutter and the kayak just goes forward! :)

I had been using a good wood 2 piece paddle, and this Lendal is so light I hardly know I am lifting it. I like the 4 piece design, with their PADLOCK locking system, as it gives me the solid feel of a one piece paddle, but can be taken apart in seconds, and blades or shafts changed for whatever different purpose I might have. I can have carbon blades for touring, and cheaper plastic blades for the local creek.

I have a 22.5" wide composite touring kayak, and I am a big guy (2XL T-Shirt). I got the 215cm length, and it is working out perfect for me, as I am a high angle paddler. The regular Kinetik Touring Blade size seems great for me too. I get a good solid feel, but still can paddle the distance I like to go. I do think the smaller Kinetic Touring "S" blades would be good for a small person, or one without a lot of paddling strength. The regular blades would be great for anyone else

The only reason I am giving this paddle a "9", instead of a "10", is for one small, maybe unimportant, issue. The shafts and blades are stuffed with white foam, like a Styrofoam cup material. It is just pushed into the paddle ends and shaft ends. When you paddle, it lets a little water in. It still floats, so this is really a small issue, but for the money it cost, I would have liked to see something done a little better to keep out all water.

If you are looking for a high quality paddle, and can spend a couple extra dollars, check this one out. If mine disappeared, I would buy another without any hesitation! Happy Paddling!

I've been paddling with the Kinetic Touring model for some time now, and I've had a chance to really run it through a variety of conditions. I've become accustomed to the weight, and after taking it into some Rhode Island surf I found the sturdiness very reassuring. The blade's surface area is perfect for rolling and bracing in even the nastiest froth, yet I can (and have) paddled comfortably all day with it. I've become so fond of it, I'm buying a second (4-piece Paddlok with carbon/nylon blades). I tried the Archipelago blades to compare, but the feel just fell short of what I get when I put the Kinetic Touring blade in the water.

On the plus side, the crank shaft is great. Mine is the EG1 fiberglass shaft, and with the N12 blades it's heavy. But once I put the Kinetic Touring blades on, this paddle has become my 'bread and butter' paddle for trips, demos, and paddling in all sorts of conditions. The total weight is only about 26 oz with the prepreg carbon blades, and it provides an extremely good pull and no flutter, with plenty of lift for demos and not too much wind resistance.

On the down side, the blades will chip if treated too roughly, so I wouldn't pole vault off the bottom with 'em. They are not cheap - expect to pay a healthy price for this paddle. The paddlock kay (a small allen wrench) tends to break after a season or two.