After presenting the Ultimate blades, thought for medium to deep diving, we analyze the Supreme, the longest version among the 3 new models of blades (Ultimate, Maximum, Supreme), which are somehow the top of the line solution by Pathos, and also intended for deep diving.

Best for which kind of use?

In the line-up of carbon fiber fins by Pathos the Supreme are thought for deep and very deep diving, both for spearfishing and freediving, and in this direction the fact that Giacomo De Mola has worked in the definition of the technical characteristics of these blades gives a additional level of expectations for their performance.

Pathos

Posted by Apneapassion.com on Friday, March 29, 2019

 

Materials 

This part is key and another step forward for Pathos blades compared to the previous versions and to competition. Blades are made of 100% carbon composite, but utilizing Prepreg 285-T2 4×4 twill, which ensures best distribution of the resin and so constant quality and characteristics and also the possibility to reduce the quantity of total resin and so wieght of the blades. In particular, Pathos goes into very professional and deep detail of the materials used. The T2 has an areal weight of 285 g/m2, with tensile strength of 3530 MPa, tensile modulus of 230 GPa, and elongation at break (%) of 1.5. This parameter of course does not consider breaking at fatigue, meaning inferior elongations repeated many many times, which can lead also to cracks. The writing on the blades are applied with a resistant plastic adhesive, but this solution is less refined than writings embedded in the resin.

Pathos Supreme

Production process

Supreme blades are processed in autoclave under vacuum conditions. This process gives the SUPREME carbon blades a gloss surface that minimizes water friction and gives a more reactive performance.

Design and external look

Glossy surface and extremely high perceived quality for the Pathos Supreme blades, with the quite traditional look of the 4×4 twill carbon fiber, even though the Prepreg material and the different manufacturing process give a different final look compared to the Maximum and the Ultimate. Somehow the appearance of the new blades also indicate a step forward compared to the previous generation of fins, the Pathos Abyss, that had actually obtained the best results in the Y-40, the deepest pool in the world, in the descent and ascent phases of the dive.

Super Test composite blade fins at Y-40

Tip of the blade has a convex flap shape for best push during the final phase of the kicking, while water rails, of constant 16 mm total height, are positioned all along the blades, but are small to avoid interfearance with the bending of the carbon fiber, no excessive weight increase and no overlaod on the blades, which would effect the fatigue on the legs. Remember, in fact, that water rails avoid water sliding excessively laterally to the blade instead of along it, but an axcessive height of the water rails can determine too much water remaining on the blade and loading the legs of the spearo too much. An example of this situation can surely be the C4 Mustang HT with the EVO variable height patented water rails, intended to generate maximum push at every kick, but determining surely a very heavy feel on the legs.

Pathos Supreme blades Flap

Angle between foot-pocket and blade is 33°, a very high value angle that gives best performance, but also needs an extremely well trained and technically skilled athlete. This solution is also indicated by Pathos as the best solution for surface swimming.

Pathos Supreme 33° angle between blade and footpocket

Dimensions measured by AP are length equal to 76.5 cm from the curve under the footpocket to the tip of the flap, and 68.5 cm laterally to the flap, the greaters of Pathos fin line. The maximum width of the blade measured inside the water rails is 18.8 cm. Thickness of the blade goes from 0.45 mm on the tip of the flap, and extremely low value that permits very easy bending of the terminal part of the blade and which is well perceivable when bending the blade, to 1.05 mm at mid length, and 1.35 mm almost in front of the footpocket.

Flexion

Pathos has worked hard to improve its fin blades starting from the already highly performing Abyss fins, which had great push vertically, but were somehow less comfortable in the surface transfers. To improve this characteristic one important aspect has been to have a fin able to bend softly also in the area in front of the footpocket. According to Pathos also the increase of the angle to 33° helps in such way.

To obtain best performance during kicking the positioning and the cut of the layers of the carbon fiber have been implemented to obtain what is today considered the most efficient and powerful solution, the S curve, meaning a double curve of the blade along its length. In particular the layers of carbon fiber are cut orthogonally to the length of the blades.

Supreme fins carbon fiber layers put in evidence by regulating the tones of the image

To download and read all technical data of the Pathos Supreme blades click on Pathos Supreme data chart.