Dagger Axiom vs Dagger Rewind

There are lots of kayak model reviews on youtube but I really haven't seen much discussion regarding the Dagger Axiom vs the Dagger Rewind. Having picked up a Rewind a couple of months ago and prior to that, paddling an Axiom extensively, I thought I'd compare the 2 models. With so many half slice models on the market these days, the Axiom doesn't get much discussion despite so many of them still out on the river and their continued popularity. Spoiler alert: I am a huge fan of the Rewind!

[@steezli8993]

Great review! I spent years mostly paddling an Axiom on PNW class 4 and loved it butI picked up a Rewind day one and it it's just a better Axiom. I find the Rewind is creekier while being just as if not also more playful than the Axe. The Rewind inspires more confidence, I've been paddling it on more class 5 than my creek boats AND it manages to be just a pure joy and fun on class 3 as the Axiom. Still do love and recommend the Axiom to folks but damn, that Rewind is sweeeeet! I spent a literal 3 minutes on a single wave/hole just yesterday, chilling in a pocket with ease having a blast...

[@SouthernYak]

Thanks and thanks for watching. I agree- axiom is good but rewind is better still! It’s so fast and so fun to paddle. First time I paddled the rewind I was sold!

[@MicajahMcCurry]

as "the kid who ran it in an axiom" After paddling a rewind, I couldn't go back. Went through 4 Axioms over the years and yet its a game changer.

[@SouthernYak]

Yeah I agree! I really liked my axiom and still have it but the rewind is so much better. Thanks for watching!

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

Excellent review Tony. You should do more vids like this. Thorough, thoughtful and non biased opinions on boats are in short supply. I own both boats and with limited time in both and a beaters experience in general can still agree with your overall opinion. Keep spreading the knowledge and joy of paddling!

[@SouthernYak]

Thanks so much! Glad your experience is similar between the 2 boats. I enjoyed doing this review…don’t know that I’ll be doing tons of boat reviews as there are lots of great channels doing reviews but when I see one that may be worth doing I will probably do them again! Thanks again for watching.

[@bleve97]

Thanks for the indeth review - I have an Axiom 9 and it's showing 10+ years of abuse on our local rivers, looking to upgrade and I think I found my next boat, Rewind!

[@rivermonkeys]

I wish someone did a review like this between the rewind and antix 2.0(if they have I haven’t came across it). I’m torn between the 2 boats, I’ve paddled a rewind but not a antix though

[@jaaahooo22]

Thanks a lot for making this great comparison! I'm a beginner and not sure if I should go for the Axiom 8.0 or the Rewind small. In the video you have mentioned that the Rewind is more forgiving, so maybe the Axiom might be better for learning the right technique? Do you know if there is a huge difference between the sizes?... Another paddler said that Dagger wasn't so lucky with the 9.0.

[@PALSRide]

Lots of really good information

[@SouthernYak]

Thanks so much PALS and thanks for watching!

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Really informative, thanks

[@SouthernYak]

Glad you liked it and thanks for watching! They are both good boats- the rewind is just better hahaha. But the axiom is still fun to paddle!

[@joshinfwtx4506]

@@SouthernYak learning in a RPM. Having a lot of fun learning but would like to eventually switch to something with modern outfitting. Not in a place where I can do the quiver thing so I need a boat that can do a lot of different things. The half slice seems to be the way to go.

[@SouthernYak]

@@joshinfwtx4506 if I only could have one boat, I’d be very tempted to make it the rewind. The rpm is a great boat and but it’s a very different boat than the rewind and lacks a lot of the safety features you have in a modern half slice. Pin potential on the rpm is a lot higher due to lack of rocker, not to mention lack of comfort if it’s the older school rewind without the updated outfitting. A good half slice can paddle a lot of stuff and the closest to Jack of all trades maybe to had. Rewind is more stable and forgiving than the ripper and a little beefier than the antix 2.0. Liquid logic party braaap is a good option too but I’m not a full displacement hull kind of guy these days.

[@crackerbat]

Great vid, I wish they hadn't screwed up the axiom 9.0 so badly :(

[@SouthernYak]

Yeah the axiom 9.0 is a totally different boat for sure and no where near as playful as the 8.5. I should have made mention of the huge difference between the 8.5 and the 9.0 in the vid as that is a super valid point!!

[@sbaldwin21]

I think of the 9.0 as a surfy creeker. For that use I like it.

[@crackerbat]

@@sbaldwin21 Was my first boat, learned in it. I'm 220 and it still felt enormous. Probably comparable to a Waka GOAT in intended use.

[@MicajahMcCurry]

9.0 was big'n. and honestly a big talking point of the redesign and rewind.

[@joesee8079]

Should I get a rewind or ripper ?

[@SouthernYak]

Depends on what you are looking for! My son loves his ripper. I really like the rewind! The ripper is faster and edgier but also less forgiving. It takes a very active paddle to get it to do what it is best designed for. Rewind is slightly slower (though still plenty fast) but more forgiving and not as demanding to get it to perform well. Personal preference really and both are great kayaks!

[@joesee8079]

@@SouthernYak Thank you!

[@SouthernYak]

@@joesee8079 no problem and thanks for watching!

[@SchaeferYaks]

Your garage turns me on. 🤣🤣🤣

[@SouthernYak]

bwhahahaha. that's pretty funny!