Over the past few months I have been discussing some new products and ideas with Rob Allen. For quite some time now, Rob and his team have been working on TWO exciting new products that are finally available to the public.
Newly designed Rob Allen threaded spear shafts AND special Wire Fin loading tabs!
Not all threaded shafts are made equally, and for a long time Rob had difficulty building a machine that could properly cut the threads without having to pre-soften the end. Some spear manufactures will heat the tip of the spear to soften the metal in order to first cut the threads. This secondary heat application, may aid in the cutting process, but tends to weaken the spear strength. Often threads cut by hand and are simply not straight. Rob Allen shafts are cut with a custom CNC machine to ensure they remain strong and consistently perfect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Id like to start off by saying that these are NOT your normal wire fin. These fins are not a flimsy or thin wire that is glued into the shaft or chemically bonded to the surface. Rob Allens' new manufacturing techniques use minimal welding. This is important because it prevents the shaft from being subject to extreme heat. Ultimately requiring less straightening after the fact. This additional process can can make the metal weaker and more prone to premature breakage.
One big problem with many of todays shark fin shafts is the amount of surface welding required to properly secure the fin to the spear. Not many people realize when manufacturing most shark fin shafts, a considerable amount of straightening is required after the welding process in order to be perfect again. In fact, I've found that many shafts will actually come bent or zig zagged even when they are new from the shop. Robs new and innovative design, eliminates this issue.
Robs tests have taken each shark fin to 750 lb . Most band guns are set up for approximately 70-95 lbs of pull per band. Hypothetically, you could load up to 8 bands on each shark fin and still never have an issue with breakage.
Right now there is a batch of standard notched shafts in 7mm thickness and also available in the wire fin tab at freediveshop.com. The 7.5mm thickness should be available soon.
Currently, the spears are only available in euro mech cut, BUT if there is enough interest in our US market, Rob Allen will make them as well. This could be good news for custom gun builders that are looking for a quality shaft, at a great price.
________________________________________________________________________________
I have quite a few older and newer Rob Allen spear shafts from random guns I have acquired over the years in various degrees of condition and age. One thing I could immediately tell was how solid and rigid this new shaft was. Even in the 7mm thickness for its length it was considerably more rigid then most other spear shafts. I placed two Rob Allen shafts side by side and bent them together in the center, not only was the new shaft harder to bend, but it sprung back with more force then the other. BINGO!!
I've paired my Rob Allen threaded shaft with a meticulously crafted Mori Slip Tip. When screwing my slip tip adapter on I could feel the fit was perfectly sung from the first few threads, until it seated 100% straight with uniform tightness. Between these two amazing pieces of equipment, I know I have a winning combination.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Greg Fonts and his wife Vanessa at the Blue Wild Spearfishing Expo in Florida. Their dedicated to this sport is immediately recognizable. They have done a fantastic job keeping the US market stocked with all the latest and the greatest Rob Allen gear. Right now, I believe their site is the only one offering these new threaded and wire fin shafts, but soon all Rob Allen dealers worldwide should be carrying them standard. At 47 dollars each, you really cant beat the price.
Rob Allen is know for making some of the toughest and best priced spear shafts in the world. His guns have taken huge pelagic species and set records all over the world, and Im sure these threaded shafts wont leave anyone disappointed.
People might not be aware of this, but each and every Rob Allen spear shaft made is checked and re-checked for straightness by Rob Allen himself. In my opinion, this level of pride and dedication is one of the more fascinating aspects about this company, he is involved in every level of the process from idea to final product.
Here is the link to the new Rob Allen spearshafts at freediveshop.com
http://www.freediveshop.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=17&products_id=1024
Newly designed Rob Allen threaded spear shafts AND special Wire Fin loading tabs!
Not all threaded shafts are made equally, and for a long time Rob had difficulty building a machine that could properly cut the threads without having to pre-soften the end. Some spear manufactures will heat the tip of the spear to soften the metal in order to first cut the threads. This secondary heat application, may aid in the cutting process, but tends to weaken the spear strength. Often threads cut by hand and are simply not straight. Rob Allen shafts are cut with a custom CNC machine to ensure they remain strong and consistently perfect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Id like to start off by saying that these are NOT your normal wire fin. These fins are not a flimsy or thin wire that is glued into the shaft or chemically bonded to the surface. Rob Allens' new manufacturing techniques use minimal welding. This is important because it prevents the shaft from being subject to extreme heat. Ultimately requiring less straightening after the fact. This additional process can can make the metal weaker and more prone to premature breakage.
One big problem with many of todays shark fin shafts is the amount of surface welding required to properly secure the fin to the spear. Not many people realize when manufacturing most shark fin shafts, a considerable amount of straightening is required after the welding process in order to be perfect again. In fact, I've found that many shafts will actually come bent or zig zagged even when they are new from the shop. Robs new and innovative design, eliminates this issue.
Robs tests have taken each shark fin to 750 lb . Most band guns are set up for approximately 70-95 lbs of pull per band. Hypothetically, you could load up to 8 bands on each shark fin and still never have an issue with breakage.
Right now there is a batch of standard notched shafts in 7mm thickness and also available in the wire fin tab at freediveshop.com. The 7.5mm thickness should be available soon.
Currently, the spears are only available in euro mech cut, BUT if there is enough interest in our US market, Rob Allen will make them as well. This could be good news for custom gun builders that are looking for a quality shaft, at a great price.
________________________________________________________________________________
I have quite a few older and newer Rob Allen spear shafts from random guns I have acquired over the years in various degrees of condition and age. One thing I could immediately tell was how solid and rigid this new shaft was. Even in the 7mm thickness for its length it was considerably more rigid then most other spear shafts. I placed two Rob Allen shafts side by side and bent them together in the center, not only was the new shaft harder to bend, but it sprung back with more force then the other. BINGO!!
I've paired my Rob Allen threaded shaft with a meticulously crafted Mori Slip Tip. When screwing my slip tip adapter on I could feel the fit was perfectly sung from the first few threads, until it seated 100% straight with uniform tightness. Between these two amazing pieces of equipment, I know I have a winning combination.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Greg Fonts and his wife Vanessa at the Blue Wild Spearfishing Expo in Florida. Their dedicated to this sport is immediately recognizable. They have done a fantastic job keeping the US market stocked with all the latest and the greatest Rob Allen gear. Right now, I believe their site is the only one offering these new threaded and wire fin shafts, but soon all Rob Allen dealers worldwide should be carrying them standard. At 47 dollars each, you really cant beat the price.
Rob Allen is know for making some of the toughest and best priced spear shafts in the world. His guns have taken huge pelagic species and set records all over the world, and Im sure these threaded shafts wont leave anyone disappointed.
People might not be aware of this, but each and every Rob Allen spear shaft made is checked and re-checked for straightness by Rob Allen himself. In my opinion, this level of pride and dedication is one of the more fascinating aspects about this company, he is involved in every level of the process from idea to final product.
Here is the link to the new Rob Allen spearshafts at freediveshop.com
http://www.freediveshop.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=17&products_id=1024