With so many blades on the market, I wanted to do a comparison between our SPIERRE Fiberglass Blades from South Africa and another top Fiberglass blade on the market - EDGE.
In this review I will try to outline the FOUR Major points when purchasing a pair of blades or anything for that matter:
Cosmetics, Warranty, Performance, and Price in addition to sundries like color options and User backing.
Cosmetics
At first glance, the SPIERRE Blade is about 2x as thick for the fiberglass compared to the EDGE.
It is also slightly wider and ~1cm longer. I think this makes for a more durable blade to be thicker. It is also a bit heavier due to the thicker fiberglass. One of these days I would like to weigh the two side by side.
The edge have more of a channel railing on the outer right and outer left tips of the blade designed to flow water. The Spierres have a shorter railing.
Warranty
Spierres hold double the warranty at 2 years versus 1 year(Edge)
Performance
Though a restaurant can be judged by service, (which adds to the overall dining experience), usually the real test is the quality to price ratio of the food.
So performance was the main category of testing.
Edge #2 was a very nice fin to 35-45ft with nice surface swimming though the angle on the blade was not as pronounced as the SPIERREs. I found it difficult to get thrust and torque from deeper depths. Surface swimming the angle on the SPIERRE gave it the edge (no pun intended) and I believe the steeper angle assists here. The edge were easier to kick at shallower depths and it seemed was slightly less stiff. However getting up from 50ft took more effort and deeper dives did not feel like I was being propelled and rather hurt my ankles the deeper/harder I had to kick.
The SPIERRE Blade had a ton of thrust coming from 70 feet and though yesterday I didn't get to go deeper, I will next time with a spotter. You really feel like you're hauling through the water.
PRICE
Blade pricing for non-camouflage SPIERRES are less expensive than Edge though pricing exemplifies quite similar price points - they're both a high end blade. Our SPIERRE Non Camos run $335 complete set (Picasso Footpockets), or Camouflage $375. Edge run $360 complete.
COLOR OPTIONS
Spierre Camouflage blades are the nicest camouflage patterns on the market today.
USERS
Both EDGE Blades and SPIERRE Have a strong User backing. Dennis Haussler (US National Champion) uses EDGE
SPIERRE Blades have an incredible following with the number 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 ranked divers in South Africa using them, alongside with 5x National Champion Jaco Blignaut, 12x national Champion Tommy Botha, and 2x World Freediving Record Holder Trevor Hutton. Trevor recently shot a fish at 60Meters for a new record - deepest fish shot freediving.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Though both blades have impressive characteristics, followings and performance abilities, I liked the SPIERRE Fiberglass and the camouflage patterns are truly impressive.
To order a set or two or for more information, contact ERIK @SUMORA.COM 949.310.3393 (PST)
Spierre Camouflage Blades
UP NEXT... Also coming should have a more comprehensive review between the EDGE, SPIERRE Fiberglass and SPIERRE Carbons. I'd also like to take the SPIERRE Monofins for a test run!
We will have reviews by top US Divers on our SPIERRE Pure Carbon line coming soon: Richard Balta and Mark Healey.
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