The invention is generally directed to a slider that is particularly suited for
dynamic load/unload disk drive designs. This slider desirably addresses potential
disk damage associated with contact between sharp edges of the slider of the disk
drive and the data storage surface of a corresponding disk. Any appropriate type/configuration
of a disk drive may benefit from performing read/write operations utilizing the
slider of the present invention. Generally, this slider includes at least one air
bearing surface which enables the slider to "fly" above the read/write surface
of the disk, and at least one self-blending contact pad disposed on the lower surface
of the slider to reduce the potential for contact between any portion of the slider
other than the self-blending contact pad(s) and the corresponding read/write surface
of the disk.