iolite or any arylate/carbon

This is the fastest blade of BTY's carbon-Arylate series. It's a pure attacking blade and wouldn't be suitable for defensive rubber like feint ox...

I have two Arylate carbon blades: Viscaria and KLHS. I would have bought Iolite instead of KLHS if it was available locally. Anyway, I am very happy that I bought KLHS as it is a very nice blade and somehow I find it different from Viscaria that actually is rated close to KLHS. Both blades have soft feel and are very light but I find KLHS having more power and handle is more compatable to my grip.

Iolite is rated fast+. It is a thick (so heavier) blade like Sardius and Schalager carbon but supposed to have soft feel because of Arylate in it.

I also find it strange that you want to use an ultra fast blade when you use ox rubber as backhand. Well, why not try such blade owned by a friend before you sacrifice a big amount for unknown.

ttnooblar, I don't know how your VSG1000 plays, but the Iolite feels very stable due to the Arylate. Its strongest suit is hitting & smashing. That said, I also found the Iolite + 2.1 Bryce letting me counter loop with ease and confidence from the deep away from the table. I haven't have a chance to find out how it does with flicking/looping short ball near the net though.

A fast blade is not necessarily difficult to control; it is more a matter of style and perception.  One of the top coaches in the US recommends the Iolite for his students fitted with Sriver for beginners and Bryce for the advanced players. 

If your style is getting more balls on the table than your opponent is capable of keeping up with a fast blade may not be the best selection for you, but if you aim to maneuver your opponent in order to pass him at the first possible opportunity a fast blade may be what you are looking for.

Also, two of the best players in my state play with very fast blades; one uses various medium or long pips no sponge on his backhand and the other plays exclusively hard bat (short pips, no sponge) both are 2200 level players, one aged over forty and the other is over 50.  Fast blades and control are not mutually exclusive with either inverted or orthodox rubber sheets.

If you are accustomed to slower control type blades you might find something like the Iolite difficult to cope with because its behavior will be very different from what you are familiar with. On the other hand you may find it to be exactly what you always wanted. 

My first two blades were very fast and as I began to improve many players at the club I where I played at suggested I get a slower more flexible blade and focus on a forehand loop dominated style of play.  I now wish I had never listened to them.  My natural style is close to the table quick attack via flip, hit and loop and I has spending my time trying to be a forehand dominate mid distance looper; it proved to be a frustrating experience.  The moral here is to know your style and use equipment that suits that style while also accommodating your personal preferences.

That you use long pips no sponge on the backhand would suggest that a stiff blade with little flex and minimal vibration would normally be selected; the speed of that blade would be a matter of personal preference.

I hope I have said something you might find to be helpful in selecting a new blade.  The Iolite is a pricey piece of equipment and you might consider something less expensive in order to try a faster blade.  I have not kept up with all the current blades available but the Stiga Clipper comes to mind as less expensive and suitable option for your style.

I experienced something similar like sprite. Other people made me try out slower blades, and it was hazarderous for my game. I had to execute completely different strokes and I was never sure that ball would lend on the other side of the table. I was gradualy increasing the speed of blades (expensive sport though) and was keeping the same (fast rubbers). Finnaly I discovered that relatively fast blade (Dicon for last 2 years, and now Carbo 7.6) + moderately fast rubber is the best combo for me. I am back to old strokes, feeling comfortable and look natural to me.

Hope this helped. 

Cheers,

Yes I have too a TBS Blade and two SRiver EL 2.1

It's really good combination but I think when i will buy rubbers for the FH I need someting elase (not sure what).

The Weird thing was when I got my rubbers and play with them and after I reglue it I get a better control for long time - not only for caple hours, that was really weird .