Footpocket/blade compatibility

[arca_tern]

I am looking at upgrading my fins (sizing and performance issues) and looking into getting modular fins - either buying the pockets and blades seperately, or getting a decent set of both with the option to upgrade down the road.

Nothing near where I live, so will be ordering sight unseen.
Because of my wide feet I was looking at the following pockets: (based on availability in Canada):

Mares Razor
Sporasub spitfire
Mako competition
The Mako and Mares look to have almost identical mounting systems, with the sporasub slightly different.

Do all these pockets have inter-compatible blades?
Ex: Can a Leaderfin fit only all of those, or only specific ones? What about C4s?
Does it depend on the length of the rail of the pocket and of the blade?
Is there a "standard" that most brands use? Or at least one or two dominant competing standards?

Side note, how stiff are the spitfire blades vs the mares razor and razor pro?

Many thanks everyone.

 

[marco15499]

I don't know about the other brands, but Mares take pretty much all blades in the market.

 

[Asaf freediver]

I'm using Majestic carbon fins, it is hand made, very efficient, comfort price and you can order it with Mares razor footpocket.

 

[vrokhlenko]

I am looking at upgrading my fins (sizing and performance issues) and looking into getting modular fins - either buying the pockets and blades seperately, or getting a decent set of both with the option to upgrade down the road.

Nothing near where I live, so will be ordering sight unseen.
Because of my wide feet I was looking at the following pockets: (based on availability in Canada):

Mares Razor
Sporasub spitfire
Mako competition
The Mako and Mares look to have almost identical mounting systems, with the sporasub slightly different.

Do all these pockets have inter-compatible blades?
Ex: Can a Leaderfin fit only all of those, or only specific ones? What about C4s?
Does it depend on the length of the rail of the pocket and of the blade?
Is there a "standard" that most brands use? Or at least one or two dominant competing standards?

Side note, how stiff are the spitfire blades vs the mares razor and razor pro?

Many thanks everyone.

It is a very good question. I am 'attached' to my Mares Razor footpockets as they have high insteps and wide soles. They are also reasonably priced. The attachment system is garbage. There are several things:
1) Any blade can be 'dremeled' if needed to fit into a Mares footpocket. You just need a Mares blade as a template. Do not be shy to use abrasive discs on carbon fiber or fiberglass blades
2) Holes. A lot of good blades do not have through holes. For example Greek blades since they are intended for a glue-in Pathos footpockets. Drilling is no problem at all. Mares holes are 6mm.
3) The bend. This is a tricky one. Mares blades have a smooth bend between the part that goes into a footpocket and the rest of the blade. Some blades have a more pronounced 'crease'. It could present a problem if after shoving the blade all the way into a footpocket the place where holes to be drilled are exactly on the 'crease'.
4) On Mares fins the side clips that are supposed to keep side rails together with the blade are loose and most people lose them. Also the plastic part that sits in front of the footpocket and holds the screws often cracks at the point where screws get into them. I replaced that system with a more reliable homemade one.

So my recommendation would be to go with Mares as they are cheap (at least in Europe) and widely available. You also can go with the plastic Mares blades (if you are price-conscious) and later upgrade while having the plastic blade for template purposes. Or go with F740 fiberglass or C740/Matrix carbon from Mares). You would have to probably get them from Europe since in North America they are too expensive. I am using Mares Razor Carbon that I had to repair due to some hairline cracks in the blade attachment area. They are better than new now. This blade is highly rated. It is not the best but very good.
You also can contact leaderfins since their footpockets look suspiciously like Mares Razor. They are cheap and they have good selection of blades.

Also check this out - these blades are Mares razor - compatible:

UltraFins Carbon blades - Finswimworld

A pair of high quality 80cm long angled carbon Ultrafins blades with a 22 degrees angle from WaterWay. These blades supply the freediver with unmatched power and durability. The blade is made of high quality and durable carbon. The Product weight is 0,950 gram.

finswimworld.com

Cheers!