multiblade propeller advantages?

[yankeeclipper]

Can anyone point me to a resource (link, thread, etc) that explains the basics behind propeller configurations? At present I'm specifically looking to understand why one would choose a 2 vs. 3 or 4 blade configuration. I know that more blades can translate into smaller diameters or lower rpms, but can also make balancing difficult. How difficult and how this choice is ultimately made is another question.

Thanks.

 

[Norman]