The Tsuru was created to fill a wide range of roles, from solo days on the beach, to flying with new friends as part of a pick-up team at a festival.
I don't consider the Tsuru to be a trick kite, but a 'performance kite'. It was conceived and crafted with the mid-level to advanced flyer in mind, along with pairs and teams. A major goal was to gear the kite towards the kind of flying we do for a crowd at festivals, because I believe strongly that flying for and with other people is the way to stay enthused, as well as to grow kiting.
I was happy with the progression of the Tsuru over its first several months of development, but it was a last-minute change, on the eve of a road trip, that put it over the top. I added a little three-dimensional shaping to the sail, which brought out what folks used to call the 'Blue Moon feel'. I'd lost track of that characteristic a bit over the years, but it's back, in a big way.
Check out the videos below for a little taste of the Tsuru in the hands of an exceptional flyer. The fact that he can pull more from it than I ever envisioned is a delight for this old stitcher. I learn something from the Tsuru every time I fly it, at a pace and touch that just feels right.
A couple of notes on Tsuru customization: My preference is to keep the Tsuru a four-color kite, and not combine adjoining accent panels into a color block. I'm trying to offer a level of customization, but still keep the kite recognizable in the sky. Please see my custom kites page for more information about ordering a custom Blue Moon kite.
About the Tsuru's name
I've long used the analogy of a well designed kite as being like a finely crafted tool. It should have a natural, almost organic feel that inspires confidence and allows the user to tap their finer talents. It should be neutral in balance, but capable of cutting like a scalpel or hitting like a sledge when needed. When I started thinking of a name for the new kite, I wanted something that said tool, but with a little more class than the word has in English. So, what do we do but search Google for "tool in other languages? " The first thing that made me sit up straight was Tsūru, which is a western transcription of the Japanese word for tool - ツール.
I've since learned that the word Tsūru doesn't mean tool in Japan. Tsuru (without the pronunciation mark) means crane in Japanese. The crane (tsuru) is a large, beautiful, graceful bird. That works for me too!
Pronunciation -
Tsuru specs
A snapshot of the Tsuru’s performance characteristics.
- Pull: firm to medium-hard
- Forward speed: medium to medium-fast
- Speed control: excellent
- Spin: inside wingtip
- Precision: excellent
- Tracking: excellent
- Noise: medium-light buzz at higher speeds
note: about wind ranges…
The lower end of the wind range represents the point at which an experienced flyer should be able to fly with minimal movement. The upper end is the point at which the kite becomes ‘overpowered’ due to frame deflection. The kite should be able to handle occasional gusts beyond the listed upper end, but caution is advised.
- span: 100.5″/255cm
- height: 43.5″/111cm
- wind range: 4-18 MPH
- sail material: Icarex polyester
- frame: SkyShark mix
- P300 spine
- 5PT lower spreaders
- Nitro leading edge
- rec. line: 90-150 lbs @ 75-125 ft
- price: from $359
note: The Tsuru LT is the version I recommend for the majority of flyers wanting a light wind kite. Enough mass for light-wind, inertia-based tricks. Enough frame stiffness to allow for a significant wind range overlap with the Tsuru Std.
- wind range (est.): 2.5-9 mph
- frame: SkyShark mix
- P200 spine
- 3PT lower spreaders
- 3PT lower leading edge
- P100 upper leading edge
- rec. line: 50-80lb Spectra, 65-100 ft.
- price: $359
note: In development, not yet available.
The SL is a specialized tool for performance and team, as well as competitive flyers, that find themselves in ‘fly-or-die’ situations.
- wind range (est.) – 1.5-6 mph
- frame – SkyShark mix
- P100 spine
- 2PT lower spreaders
- 2PT lower leading edge
- P90 upper leading edge
- lightweight bridle
- rec. line – 50-80lb Spectra, 65-100 ft.
- price: $359
notes: Planned, but not yet in development.
Tsuru Reviews...
If you own a Truru, please leave a review!
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This is a test review of the Tsuru!
Alas, this is but this is a test response to this well thought out and beautifully written review. 😉