Do balsa blades wear out.
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Topic: Do balsa blades wear out.
Posted By: mts388
Subject: Do balsa blades wear out.
Date Posted: 09/24/2020 at 6:00pm
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I've been using 2 Giant Dragon balsa lite blades for about 5 years. I don't have any complaint, but don't know if I could tell if they gradually became less (whatever) over time. Is balsa less durable than other wooden blades?
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Replies:
Posted By: mjamja
Date Posted: 09/24/2020 at 11:11pm
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With normal strokes, the repeated impacts will compress the outer layers of the balsa and gradually make the wood harder in 2 to 3 years of normal play. This will reduce dwell time and hurt looping. However it will also increase spin reversal on long pips. However, considering the strength of your shots I think your blades should be good for another 5 yrs. Mark - Who plays with heavy blades because light blades make him light headed. Note: In reality I know nothing about balsa blades and the above comment was made solely to upset Mts388 since I will be heading his way in a couple of weeks. Hopefully he will get mad enough that his play will suffer and I will have a shot at beating him.
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Posted By: AcudaDave
Date Posted: 09/25/2020 at 10:17am
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If they have carbon in them the carbon can become brittle over time and start to break. I used to have a couple of Giant Dragon basla blades and they had carbon in them. Some of the newer carbons used have different materials and are woven which should make them more durable. I had a very nice carbon blade from BBC that after a couple of years it sounded like it was broken. I think the carbon eventually broke, causing the blade to sound kind of like a broken ball. That being said I never became a fan of those GD balsa blades. They were fast and had little feeling, and GD definitely had issues with quality. There are much better blades out there. ------------- Joola Zhou Qihao 90 blade Joola Dynaryz Inferno max - BH Nittaku Moristo SP 2.0 - FH |
Posted By: cole_ely
Date Posted: 09/25/2020 at 10:39am
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They are certainly more fragile. I've known thick ones to come out in chunks over time. People I know who use them replace them on a regular basis. 3-5 years probably if no specific damage. When I sell a T10, I saturate the outer edge with minwax spray poly, which is very thin and penetrates well. ------------- Wavestone St with Illumina 1.9r, defender1.7b Please let me know if I can be of assistance. |
Posted By: firetack
Date Posted: 09/26/2020 at 4:40am
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Tsp Balsa 3.0 blade is holding up well after 4 years,I did seal the f/h and edge with gloss yacht varnish to avoid splinters and add a little speed,ox pips on b/h so no signs of wear here,I imagine a heavy ding to the table edge would not be good for it ------------- Black Balsa 3.0 fh/tenergy 05 1.9 388d ox |
Posted By: Reaper
Date Posted: 09/26/2020 at 2:51pm
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They're definitely weaker. I had a donic alligator and apparently absorbed some sweat, got mushy and snapped in half after a year. I can even compress it with my fingers. I used to prefer heavy blades, but after playing with that one I switched to light ones for better control but just without balsa ------------- Neottec Magic Control -CN : Nexy Karis M / 61second Kangaroo Revoldia clone -ST: Hurricane 9 green / 61second Eagle Donier Defensive -ST: Sword Long Can / 61second Eagle |
Posted By: cole_ely
Date Posted: 09/27/2020 at 12:58am
3.0 is a thin one. I had a friend who went through three of the thickest fitter ones, like 10 or 11mm balsa core. Super nice, but the thicker the more fragile ------------- Wavestone St with Illumina 1.9r, defender1.7b Please let me know if I can be of assistance. |
firetack wrote: