2015 Airush Razor Kite Review - AP special edition.
Kite Tested
9,11 and 13m in wind ranging from 8mph to 30mph
Three Line Summary
Intense Freestyle Performance
Out of the Bag
The 2015 Razor is the fifth incarnation of the series - a medium high aspect,unbridled, 5-strut C kite.
It retains its truly hardcore construction with dual core rip-stop canopy material, further reinforced with Kevlar stringers; producing a canopy which must surely be the toughest in existence. The struts and leading edge are produced from what seems to be very tough Dacron, and further beefed up with strategic Kevlar patches.
The 2015 editions feature a choice of graphics - the regular Razor colour scheme, or an alternative Alex Pastor version with special graphics. As far as I'm aware this is the only difference between the two.
The 2015 Razor also comes with a new single valve inflation system which makes use of the widest connector on your pump to minimise the effort when inflating, and also allow super fast deflation - something which is particularly useful for a C kite, as you'll be changing sizes more than with its flatter/bridled counterparts.
The Razor also comes with a choice of bar - either the versatile and adjustable smart bar which is used on the rest of the Airush range, or a special Alex Pastor ('AP') version.
The AP bar features an identical chicken loop, plastic coated depower line, release and safety system to the standard Smart Bar, but that's where the similarity ends. It comes in a shorter length, adjustable to either 41 or 48cm with a specific freestyle oriented grip and narrow diameter for maximum comfort. The 22m flying lines (both front and rear) have been upgraded to a whopping 400Kg to withstand the most radical of maneuvers, and has a simple but effective pull-pull depower system to keep everything neat and tidy.
In the Air
The razor feels very solid and dependable in the sky, perfectly at ease whether hooked in or unhooked. On the faster turning settings it really whips around at great speed, yet is still no slouch on the slowest turning and smallest bar setting provided you're sufficiently assertive.
In light winds, the bar pressure feels quite light, but it increases to medium when you're properly powered. Feedback is excellent and it parks in sky perfectly when passing the bar behind your back.
It generates a great deal of power on tap when worked through the window, and you can expect a great deal more when you loop it!
The great deal of tune-ability on the Razor is a big plus, together with its naturally quick turning response - allowing you to homogenize all sizes to your exact requirements.
On the water
On land the pull of the Razor can feel a little much, especially when walking upwind toward the shore; but once on the water it feels sublime with plenty of power on tap. The bottom end is very good for a C kite, as working or looping the kite soon generates apparent wind allowing you to park and ride from there onwards. On the freestyle setting, I found the top end to be more than adequate - remaining relatively comfortable long after I'd normally choose to change down a size. Like most C kites it flies predominantly on the front lines, which may take a little bit of getting used to if coming from from a more freeride oriented kite.
Despite being a pretty hardcore proposal, the razor scores very well in general usability with its stable flight, good wind range, decent upwind performance and surprisingly good relaunch capabilities. The fifth line is there for light wind relaunch, but normally a prolonged pull on a steering line has it pivoting out of the water in no time.
When nicely powered and the razor is steered aggressively, its capable of some very lofty jumps and is a lovely kite to downloop on the way down to soften the landing. Kiteloops are deliciously powerful, fast and whippy if you have the kite tuned for turning speed or prolonged and gutsy with the turning de-tuned.
Being Alex Pastor's kite you'd very well expect it to shine for freestyle, and there are certainly no disappointments there! The direct connection makes it a great kite to fly which can easily be felt without looking at it, the pop is very explosive, powering you up into the air and slackening off mid flight and on landing to help get those passes nailed. For further pop and slack the wakestyle setting can be used, at the expense of the top end wind range; but I found it to be a great performer for air-passes even in the freestyle mode.
Conclusions
The Razors true strength lies in its lack of significant weaknesses, as C kites tend to be performance at a cost. Its great stability, decent wind range, safety system and relaunch make it user friendly and confidence inspiring. The excellent bar is simple yet very comfortable and offers many tuning options when combined with the attachment options on the kite. From a performance point of view it just gets better, big boosting, fast powerful looping and excellent pop and slack which is plain to see if you watch any of Alex Pastor's videos.
As with any C kite, its best kept out of the hands of beginners, but is surely a great choice for any aspiring freestyler or anyone after an aggressive, boosty ride.
For more info, check it out over at Airush HQ!
9,11 and 13m in wind ranging from 8mph to 30mph
Three Line Summary
Intense Freestyle Performance
Out of the Bag
The 2015 Razor is the fifth incarnation of the series - a medium high aspect,unbridled, 5-strut C kite.
It retains its truly hardcore construction with dual core rip-stop canopy material, further reinforced with Kevlar stringers; producing a canopy which must surely be the toughest in existence. The struts and leading edge are produced from what seems to be very tough Dacron, and further beefed up with strategic Kevlar patches.
The 2015 editions feature a choice of graphics - the regular Razor colour scheme, or an alternative Alex Pastor version with special graphics. As far as I'm aware this is the only difference between the two.
The 2015 Razor also comes with a new single valve inflation system which makes use of the widest connector on your pump to minimise the effort when inflating, and also allow super fast deflation - something which is particularly useful for a C kite, as you'll be changing sizes more than with its flatter/bridled counterparts.
The Razor also comes with a choice of bar - either the versatile and adjustable smart bar which is used on the rest of the Airush range, or a special Alex Pastor ('AP') version.
The AP bar features an identical chicken loop, plastic coated depower line, release and safety system to the standard Smart Bar, but that's where the similarity ends. It comes in a shorter length, adjustable to either 41 or 48cm with a specific freestyle oriented grip and narrow diameter for maximum comfort. The 22m flying lines (both front and rear) have been upgraded to a whopping 400Kg to withstand the most radical of maneuvers, and has a simple but effective pull-pull depower system to keep everything neat and tidy.
In the Air
The razor feels very solid and dependable in the sky, perfectly at ease whether hooked in or unhooked. On the faster turning settings it really whips around at great speed, yet is still no slouch on the slowest turning and smallest bar setting provided you're sufficiently assertive.
In light winds, the bar pressure feels quite light, but it increases to medium when you're properly powered. Feedback is excellent and it parks in sky perfectly when passing the bar behind your back.
It generates a great deal of power on tap when worked through the window, and you can expect a great deal more when you loop it!
The great deal of tune-ability on the Razor is a big plus, together with its naturally quick turning response - allowing you to homogenize all sizes to your exact requirements.
On the water
On land the pull of the Razor can feel a little much, especially when walking upwind toward the shore; but once on the water it feels sublime with plenty of power on tap. The bottom end is very good for a C kite, as working or looping the kite soon generates apparent wind allowing you to park and ride from there onwards. On the freestyle setting, I found the top end to be more than adequate - remaining relatively comfortable long after I'd normally choose to change down a size. Like most C kites it flies predominantly on the front lines, which may take a little bit of getting used to if coming from from a more freeride oriented kite.
Despite being a pretty hardcore proposal, the razor scores very well in general usability with its stable flight, good wind range, decent upwind performance and surprisingly good relaunch capabilities. The fifth line is there for light wind relaunch, but normally a prolonged pull on a steering line has it pivoting out of the water in no time.
When nicely powered and the razor is steered aggressively, its capable of some very lofty jumps and is a lovely kite to downloop on the way down to soften the landing. Kiteloops are deliciously powerful, fast and whippy if you have the kite tuned for turning speed or prolonged and gutsy with the turning de-tuned.
Being Alex Pastor's kite you'd very well expect it to shine for freestyle, and there are certainly no disappointments there! The direct connection makes it a great kite to fly which can easily be felt without looking at it, the pop is very explosive, powering you up into the air and slackening off mid flight and on landing to help get those passes nailed. For further pop and slack the wakestyle setting can be used, at the expense of the top end wind range; but I found it to be a great performer for air-passes even in the freestyle mode.
Conclusions
The Razors true strength lies in its lack of significant weaknesses, as C kites tend to be performance at a cost. Its great stability, decent wind range, safety system and relaunch make it user friendly and confidence inspiring. The excellent bar is simple yet very comfortable and offers many tuning options when combined with the attachment options on the kite. From a performance point of view it just gets better, big boosting, fast powerful looping and excellent pop and slack which is plain to see if you watch any of Alex Pastor's videos.
As with any C kite, its best kept out of the hands of beginners, but is surely a great choice for any aspiring freestyler or anyone after an aggressive, boosty ride.
For more info, check it out over at Airush HQ!
|
Kite Style
Struts Inflation Front connection Rear connection Tuning options Depower Safety Low End High End Bar Pressure Turning Freestyle Unhooked Upwind Boosting and Hang time Relaunch |
Traditional C
5 One Pump (Single valve) Direct Direct 3 rear and 2 front options, plus bar length adjustment Pull-pull webbing strap (above bar) Fifth line, OSR rear line flagging. Very Good Very Good Light increasing to medium when powered Radial, yet very fast Excellent Exceptional Very Good Excellent Very Good |
