fighter kites

Fighter kites are kites that are used for the sport of kite fighting. Countries where kite fighting is particularly well-known include Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Korea, and Guyana.[citation needed]
Most fighter kites are small unstable single line flat kites. Tension in the line will cause the kite to deform into a shape that allows the kite to track in a straight path, so to control the kite, the flier will release line until the nose of the kite is pointed in the direction that the flier wants the kite to go, and then they will pull in line to make the kite track.
Traditionally most fighter kites are flown with an abrasive line with the aim of cutting the line of opponents kites, but in some forms of competition kites are flown to capture and bring down the opponents kite - or to just touch the opponents flying line.
Materials used to make fighter kites
In most traditional fighter kite manufacture, the skins of kites are made from a lightweight thin paper and the spars are usually made from a lightweight and flexible wood, usually bamboo.
In modern American fighters, the kite skins are made from a variety of synthetic materials - mylar, aircraft insulation (orcon or insulfab), nylon, and polyester sheeting. The spine is often bamboo but the bow, and often also the spine, is usually fiberglass or carbon fiber.
Line used for fighter kites
Historically, for most Asian type fighters, a thin cotton or hemp line is coated with a mixture of finely crushed glass and rice glue. In recent years, synthetic line has been coated with a variety of abrasives and stronger glue, also, there have been some reports of metallic line being used. Some cultures use line that has metal knives attached to hook and cut the opponents line.
In line touch competition, synthetic braided fishing line, 15 to 20 lb test, is used due to its low stretch and high strength for the line diameter and weight. Waxed cotton or linen line is also used.