Loading profile refers to the relative loading at different phases as the blade progresses through the drive. The Fat2 blade’s Loading Profile is as follows:

• Sharp grip of the water at entry
• Heavy load in first 1/3 of drive
• Light load through last 1/3 of drive
• “Stiff” shaft feel

To see how the Fat2 compares to other Concept2 blades, view the spectrum of loading profiles chart.

How the Fat2 Blade Propels the Boat

• The Fat2 offers the most pronounced emphasis on the first and second phases of the drive.
• The Fat2 puts the least emphasis on the last phase of the drive to minimize losses that result from the backward blade movement inherent to that phase of the stroke.
• The Fat2 slips less in the water, thus losing less of the work done
  at the handle.

Due to its increased efficiency in the water, the Fat2 requires different
rigging than our other blade designs.

Smoothie2 Vortex Blade

The Smoothie2 Vortex Edge offers a balance in effectiveness and feel between our earlier blade designs and the Fat2.

Loading Profile

Loading profile refers to the relative loading at different phases as the blade progresses through the drive. The Smoothie2 Vortex Blade’s Loading Profile is as follows:

• Sharper grip of the water at entry
• Heavier load in first 1/3 of drive
• Lighter load through last 1/3 of drive
• “Stiffer” shaft feel

The Smoothie2 Vortex Edge blade increases the resistance in the first and second phases of the drive while speeding up the blade through the fourth phase of the drive. However, these functional characteristics are not as significant as they are for the Fat2.

To see how the Smoothie2 Vortex Edge compares to other Concept2 blades, view the spectrum of loading profiles chart.

How the Smoothie2 Vortex Edge Propels the Boat

• The Smoothie2 Vortex Edge creates a cleaner hold on the water relative to the Big Blade.
• The Smoothie2 Vortex Edge offers an intermediate Loading Profile that is closer to the Fat2 Blade.
• Outboard length more similar to Big Blade maintains leverage as
  the oar moves through the perpendicular.

Smoothie2 Plain Edge

The Smoothie2 Plain Edge is a blade that looks similar to a Big Blade without a center spine, but includes a number of functional design changes to improve its efficiency. It has more hook than the Smoothie1, and improved curvature for ease of handling.

Loading Profile

Loading profile refers to the relative loading at different phases as the blade progresses through the drive. The Smoothie2 offers an intermediate loading profile. The Smoothie2 Blade’s Loading Profile is as follows:

• Sharper grip of the water at entry
• Heavier load in first 1/3 of drive
• Lighter load through last 1/3 of drive
• “Stiffer” shaft feel

To see how the Smoothie2 compares to other Concept2 blades, view the spectrum of loading profiles chart.

How the Smoothie2 Propels the Boat:

• The Smoothie2 creates a cleaner hold on the water relative to
  the Big Blade.
• The Smoothie2 offers an intermediate Loading Profile that is
  more efficient than the Big Blade.
• The combination of more hook and greater outboard length
  than other blades offers increased leverage as the oar moves through the perpendicular.

Big Blade

Introduced in 1991, the Big Blade is the original "hatchet" blade. Made from the same mold as the Macon Blade, its assymmetric design and increased surface area create a bigger "shovel". It is available in two sizes, most often ordered with plain edge.

Loading Profile

Loading profile refers to the relative loading at different phases as the blade progresses through the drive. The Big Blade offers the most consistent load through the four phases of the drive. The Big Blade’s Loading Profile is as follows:

• Least distinct hold of the water at entry
• Light load in first 1/3 of drive
• Heavy load through last 1/3 of drive
• “Soft” shaft feel

To see how the Big Blade compares to other Concept2 blades, view the spectrum of loading profiles chart.

How the Big Blade Propels the Boat:

• The Big Blade's consistent loading profile means that it is
  potentially less effective in the first two phases of the drive,
  and more effective in the later phases.
• The greater outboard length than other blades offers increased leverage as the oar approaches the perpendicular.

Macon Blade

The Macon style blade became popular in the 1960s and was the most widely used blade type for thirty years. Although most rowers have moved to the more efficient asymmetric blades, we still sell Macon blades to a small number of sweep rowers, mostly for traditional reasons.

Dimensions and Surface Area