Bandit Carbon

[cbcboat]

quick comment on the ZRE flat water paddles (I'm assuming you have a bent shaft, Phil) they aren't necessarily meant to have good feel like a whitewater stick, as its rare that people that are using those are doing any kind of skulling or anything much past just forward strokes. I have used many diffenrent ZRE bent shaft paddles and do however think that the power surge blade feels darn solid when hammering away at forward strokes but doesn't feel so great doing any kind of underwater recovery or bracing for that matter. regarding the TE5 paddle, a friend of mine has one and I have used it a bit. Super stiff and super quick. If I'm, right it has a slight bend in the shaft, it feels pretty good. I have been using a Gala Demon for a few years and personally like it. though I think most of the Gala paddles feel pretty darn good, they do wear down. Also have used the ZRE Power Curve, which is their WW stick, it feels incredible in the water but my concern would be durability, though I can't say I have seen any break, I think Kaz might use one of these.
back to the original post, I have a few friends that have the glass bandit and they have been using them for a long time, and they seem to be wearing quite well. Any composite paddle w/o edge protection will ultimatley wear down. Personally for a weight savings of only 2oz and a bit of a price diff. I would opt for glass. Maybe look into H2O, They don't seem to wear on the blade like comp. blades do, haven't had mine for long but so far so good.

B

[philcanoe]

my reference (probably faulty)... was that the bandit didn't feel good, after using a ZRE (yes - a bent shaft powersurge)

[ChrisKelly]

2 excellent and well made Silver Creek paddles (many times redine by now). They are all lovely but lately I end up chosing my Werner Carbon. I think it is the weight. Plus, I am not smart enough to take advantage of the smaller blade on the Jimistik.

CK