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Do balsa blades wear out.

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mts388 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 09/24/2020 at 6:00pm
I've been using 2 Giant Dragon balsa lite blades for about 5 years.  I don't have any complaint, but don't know if I could tell if they gradually became less (whatever) over time.

Is balsa less durable than other wooden blades?
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mjamja View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mjamja Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/24/2020 at 11:11pm
With normal strokes, the repeated impacts will compress the outer layers of the balsa and gradually make the wood harder in 2 to 3 years of normal play.  This will reduce dwell time and hurt looping.  However it will also increase spin reversal on long pips.

However, considering the strength of your shots I think your blades should be good for another 5 yrs.

Mark - Who plays with heavy blades because light blades make him light headed.

Note:  In reality I know nothing about balsa blades and the above comment was made solely to upset Mts388 since I will be heading his way in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully he will get mad enough that his play will suffer and I will have a shot at beating him.
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AcudaDave View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AcudaDave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/25/2020 at 10:17am
If they have carbon in them the carbon can become brittle over time and start to break.  I used to have a couple of Giant Dragon basla blades and they had carbon in them.  Some of the newer carbons used have different materials and are woven which should make them more durable.  I had a very nice carbon blade from BBC that after a couple of years it sounded like it was broken.  I think the carbon eventually broke, causing the blade to sound kind of like a broken ball.  
That being said I never became a fan of those GD balsa blades.  They were fast and had little feeling, and GD definitely had issues with quality.  There are much better blades out there.  
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cole_ely View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cole_ely Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/25/2020 at 10:39am
They are certainly more fragile.  I've known thick ones to come out in chunks over time.  People I know who use them replace them on a regular basis.  3-5 years probably if no specific damage.

When I sell a T10, I saturate the outer edge with minwax spray poly, which is very thin and penetrates well.
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Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
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firetack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote firetack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/26/2020 at 4:40am
Tsp Balsa 3.0 blade is holding up well after 4 years,I did seal the f/h and edge with gloss yacht varnish to avoid splinters and add a little speed,ox pips on b/h so no signs of wear here,I imagine a heavy ding to the table edge would not be good for it
Black Balsa 3.0 fh/tenergy 05 1.9 388d ox

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Reaper View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Reaper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/26/2020 at 2:51pm
They're definitely weaker. I had a donic alligator and apparently absorbed some sweat, got mushy and snapped in half after a year. I can even compress it with my fingers. 

I used to prefer heavy blades, but after playing with that one I switched to light ones for better control but just without balsa
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cole_ely Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09/27/2020 at 12:58am
Originally posted by firetack firetack wrote:

Tsp Balsa 3.0 blade is holding up well after 4 years,I did seal the f/h and edge with gloss yacht varnish to avoid splinters and add a little speed,ox pips on b/h so no signs of wear here,I imagine a heavy ding to the table edge would not be good for it

3.0 is a thin one. I had a friend who went through three of the thickest fitter ones, like 10 or 11mm balsa core. Super nice, but the thicker the more fragile
Wavestone St with Illumina 1.9r, defender1.7b

Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
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