Quad Line Handles

Normal Revolution Handles

I believe these handles are the 'normal' ones that you get with the Revolution EXP and 1.5SLE.

They are very forgiving in use since as they are quite short you need a fair amount of hand movement to get the kite to do anything - believe me this is helpful when you are learning to fly a Revolution.

As the bottoms of the handles are set back from the top this, in effect, gives you more top line over the bottom. Therefore you need more 'braking' movements (i.e. pulling on the bottom lines) in order to stop the kite (or fly backwards), and prevents (to some extend) giving too much brake command.

Lightweight Revolution Handles

These handles come with the Revolution 1.5SUL I have, but also have been modified by the kites previous owner in order to make them straighter (normally the angle is more like the normal handles).

From what I have seem these sort of handles also come with the Revolution Blast (size is the same, just a bit fancier).

These are much more sensitive - small hand movements have a greater effect on the kite. Therefore it takes a greater skill to fly using these. But in zero/low wind conditions you really need to feel what the kite is doing & as there is (by definition) very little wind you don't need much hand movement to alter the flight of the kite.

As the top and bottoms of these handles are more or less in line with each other it means your brakes are much much more sensitive - so if you are not careful you give too much brake to the kite and it starts fluttering out of the sky.

Synergy Deca Handles

These are the handles that came with the kites, but in reality I just use the Lightweight Revolution Handles on all the Decas.

• Deca 1 - basic straight wooden handles with a rubber middle grip.
• Deca A1 - Carbon fibre handles held in a curve via a bridle line (they look fancy), but like the Deca 1 handles are actually straight.

Airbow Handles

Skydancer Switchgrip

These look fancy - but are in fact just straight handles with a moulded grip to hold. Like the others I generally use the Lightweight Revolution Handles with the Skydancer.

Traction Kite Handles

You are going to need these to fly your traction kite. There are various different types and makes on the market - mine are Flexifoil ones - quite thick and padded and have stood a couple of years hard use.

The main considerations are the handle thickness, how much padding, and how much they cost. It's best to try holding a few to see how comfortable they feel - given you are going to be holding on verytightly something comfortable is going to be best.

Cost: Expect to pay around £15 for a decent set of handles (unless your traction kite comes with them of course!)