Need Help With Picking A Blade

Hey guys,

I am thinking of getting a new blade since my Xiom Zetro Quad is great, but quite heavy and a little too fast for me since I am still developing. My style is offensive with a focus on looping and loop-driving, I only block close to table or when I cannot perform a loop in time.

I am currently using Barracuda/T64 for my BH and T05/T64 for FH. These are the rubbers I would use with a new blade as well.

Also, I hate head-heavy blades, but I understand that is most likely ggoing to happen anyway since I use heavy rubbers, but a blade with good balance would be much appreciated.

So, the blade should be light, loop very well, have nice control, but still be able to block efficiently when needed.

The choices I have narrowed it down to are: Ma Lin Carbon, Avalox P500, and maybe Offensive Classic Carbon...

Any advice from you guys will be much appreciated. Thanks!

p500 or peter korbel

PG7?

once upon a time I clung to the zetro quad

Just a thought but have you thought about just switching rubbers? I'm still a developing player myself. I was using fast rubbers like rasant and t64 but I switched to Palio HK1997. My consistency doubled. Can now use a normal arm swing and not worry about the ball going long all the time. It has decent speed and good spin and I feel like I can't miss with it. I use it on a Stradivarius and I love the way I'm playing now. My confidence has gone up tremendously. The HK1997 is only 12 bucks a sheet which is nice too. Just my two cents from a fellow developing player.

mikepong wrote: the_theologian wrote: for a little more insight, the journey went like this (this is the progression of my "primary blade"... along the way I was tested a bunch others)   (many, many blades, mostly carbon,... all of which were too fast for me)-> xiom zetro quad -> xiom v1 (a fun blade for smashing) -> Burn OFF- -> BBC 9-10-9 (which I now consider the pinnacle of carbon blades) -> OSP Expert.... and now I own 3 of them sorry out of topic but how do you find xiom v1? you say its a fun blade for smashing but how does it do on loops, loop drives and short game?

Edited by the_theologian - 07/04/2012 at 12:04am

is it faster than a 7 ply blade like the clipper?

Zetro Quad is a OFF+ Hinoki Carbon, about as fast a blade design there is.

the_theologian wrote: mikepong wrote: is it faster than a 7 ply blade like the clipper?   is which blade faster?

spin_whisperer wrote: Just a thought but have you thought about just switching rubbers? I'm still a developing player myself. I was using fast rubbers like rasant and t64 but I switched to Palio HK1997. My consistency doubled. Can now use a normal arm swing and not worry about the ball going long all the time. It has decent speed and good spin and I feel like I can't miss with it. I use it on a Stradivarius and I love the way I'm playing now. My confidence has gone up tremendously. The HK1997 is only 12 bucks a sheet which is nice too. Just my two cents from a fellow developing player.

Been there, done that with Hurricanes (2,3, 3 Neo, and even H3 with Japanese sponge), Tin Arc & TA3, and Thor, and about a dozen more rubbers

The simple fact is that I'd honestly rather keep the ESN rubbers/Tenergy and switch to a slower blade, rather than go through the pain of trying to find a slower rubber I like all over again, since I know I like Tenergy and Barracuda...

128YinYang wrote:

So, I guess one day I'll have to relinquish my ZQ

However, I am curious as to whether or not OSP could custom make me an Expert that had a slightly smaller head than usual. Or if they could do a low weight (80g or so)?

Also, if the OSP Expert costs an arm and a leg, I'd rather just get the P500 since it seems to have a great reputation for a reasonable price...


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It doesn't cost an arm and a leg, perhaps only an arm. A P500 will only cost you up to your Elbow.

bluebucket wrote: Zetro Quad is a OFF+ Hinoki Carbon, about as fast a blade design there is.

Sorry to hijack the thread but didn't want to post a new one since there was one already here...

TP40 wrote: 128Yin, As suggested further up this thread by others what you want is a Petr Korbel. Got mine a year ago and its great for looping close and mid range, blocking and for controlled pushes. Good value too - no need to spend any more. Good luck

Thank you! But I decided to go with the P500 . I hear they are quite similar, though, so hopefully I won't be disappointed with my choice