Excuse me while I backpedal...

  I apologize up front: This is a very unfocused and tangential thread. However, it might have some material that some people may find useful after wading through it.

Not too long ago, I posted this review of the Stiga Ebenholz NCT V.

Since that time, I've had the opportunity to try a few "higher end" blades for comparison. Subsequently, I'd like to refine a few things I said about the Ebenholz. First, although an enjoyable blade, in my opinion the Ebenholz is not a $130 blade. It is not an $80 blade, either. I would say that it is, at best, a $50-$60 blade dressed up in ebony wood.

For me at least, comparison is a vital tool when trying to understand equipment. It is probably due to my lack of experience as a novice, but the feel/play of a blade is really only salient to me when I can set it down and immediately pick up another for comparison.

Therefore, today I took my HK655, Tenor, XIOM V1, Viscaria, and Ebenholz NCT V to practice. All were armed with Neo H3 and Coppa Platin Soft. I just hit forehands against a robot today, so I really only got a sense of the feel of these blades. (Perhaps I got a slight sense of control too, but it was minimal in comparison to doing real drills or playing a game.)

I said somewhere that the Ebenholz almost felt like a blade with soft carbon as its outer ply. After today, I definitely stand by that. In fact, in terms of feel the Ebenholz was much more similar to the XIOM V1 than to the Tenor or HK655. The V1 had a slightly more "synthetic" feel that many carbon blades do, but the V1 and the Ebenholz are by far the most similar in that lineup.

As a five-ply, all-wood blade that costs $130, you'd think that it would be in the same class as the HK655 and the Tenor. It is not. Not even close. Don't get me wrong, it is a decent blade; but it is not comparable to the other two, in my opinion.

The HK655 and Tenor are absolute pleasures to play with, I might add. I cannot say that they're worth $170 and $200 respectively, simply because I've recently come to think that no blade is worth that (in spite of having bought several in that price range ). But man, they really are nice. Right now, I'm preferring the Tenor to the HK655. The HK655 vibrates a little too much for me, and the Tenor has a feeling that is... special. When you hit the sweet spot on that blade...

The Viscaria is pretty sweet too. It is fast. Man, is it fast. However, in comparing the feel of the V1 and Viscaria, I prefer the XIOM V1. For a carbon blade, the V1 preserves the "woody" feel better than other carbon and carbon-arylate blades I've played with (including the Viscaria). That isn't to detract from the Viscaria in any way, because it's great. Just a personal preference thing. And geez is it fast.

Anyway, I wanted to clarify my feelings on the Ebenholz NCT V. It is hard to get a good read on a blade's characteristics because 1) I have limited experience in table tennis, and 2) I had no comparison, which I find highly valuable. Therefore, although I like the Ebenholz, I certainly don't love it. In addition, I may have been a bit too generous in my estimation of it in my previous post. And I also want to stress again--it is NOT worth $130, IMO. For that price, I recommend to all to look elsewhere.

ohhgourami wrote: HK655 too much vibration?!  That thing is perfect man!   The old HK has way more vibration than that thing. I'm glad you enjoy it though, but enjoying the Tenor more is disappointing. I'm loving the OC CR though, but at my rate of growth, I'm expected to go back to my beloved HK655 in 4 months or so

A little too much... for me.

The HK655 is a very nice blade. I'm definitely not saying that it has a lot of vibration, but it does have a bit more than the Tenor, IMO. I prefer the HK655 handle to the Tenor handle, if that makes you feel better.

Also, keep in mind that the last two or three weeks I've been playing with the V1, a carbon blade with very little vibration. So I may be a bit sensitive to that right now. My tastes change with the blowing of the wind, so although I think my HK655 does have a bit more vibration than my Tenor, I may actually prefer that in a week, or a month, or a year... etc.

I feel the same way about the TBS, although it is supposed to be a half tick slower AND I am happy with the FL handle. I also think it isn't all THAT fast. After I played with the TBS a full year plus, then bought/traded for Galaxy T series. ALL of Galaxy T Series I tried (T-4, T-7, T-8) felt way too fast and bouncy for me. Still TBS is faster than a lot of blades,, but at an OFF speed rating, it won't compete for king of the hill in the speed department. I have become so accustomed to the TBS over the last two years, that I would cry like a baby if something happened to it. We all go through a period searching for what works great for us, some longer or shorter than others. I hope you have fun and satisfaction along the way and tell the forum all about it.

Imago wrote: The more blades I try, the more I think I'll never settle on one thing... at least not for a long period of time.   Nonattachment is a great religious virtue. We must be happy with what we have (aparigraha) and yet try not to be attached to it.   Recently, I bought a $3 racket (including the cover), equipped it with two $4 Kokutakus, and it played much better than Bty Primorac OFF- with two brand new Tenergy 64. This is the common opinion. And the remedy for my dilapidated bank account.   Member of the CHEAPO Social Club (actually running for President).

You speak the truth.

Baal wrote: Anton, the Viscaria is the greatest blade ever designed by man (if only the handle was a teeny bit fatter); to me it doesn't feel all that fast, but I've been using them for years, so maybe I have forgotten.  Not too long ago I ordered a Xiom Axelo, as with all Xiom blades, the craftsmanship and weight is perfect.  But it was so ridiculously fast as to be completely unplayable (by me).  It made the Viscaria seem like a defensive blade.  I am quite curious about the other Xiom, the Quatd Zetro or whatever they call it.  I am betting it will be similar to the Viscaria.

No wonder, the Axelo is a 7.4mm blade. It's like a carbon fiber baseball bat. I think the Stradivarius is probably a better comparison to the Viscaria... at least in that they're both composite and both 5.8mm. I'll be able to tell you better next week, as that's when my Stradivarius arrives.

The Zetro Quad may not be very similar to the Viscaria, but I don't know. The Zetro Quad is a 7.0mm blade, five plies wood, two plies zylon, and two plies soft carbon. (I think it's: hinoki-zylon-spruce?-soft carbon-inner ply(?)-soft carbon-spruce?-zylon-hinoki.) XIOM claims it's aimed more at the Euro style player--further from the table, taking the ball later on the bounce, etc.

Anton Chigurh wrote: No wonder, the Axelo is a 7.4mm blade. It's like a carbon fiber baseball bat. I think the Stradivarius is probably a better comparison to the Viscaria... at least in that they're both composite and both 5.8mm. I'll be able to tell you better next week, as that's when my Stradivarius arrives.

 

I also have a Xiom Abolute Carbon Control.  It is a bit faster than my Viscaria in spite of it's name, and much lower throw, I think because it is stiffer.  Also very thick.  I think I prefer 5.8 mm.