ST vs FL Handles-Does it matter?

assiduous wrote: For feel, and if I had to do only 1 type of shot - straight squared is the best for me. Like Korbel straight.But during game it is easier to adjust grip with a round straight. Like Donic Senso.Flared it the best for wide forehand loop. But is difficult for backhand because the flared part goes in my palm. Also, difficult to do certain types of serves. If you have big hands like me and adjust grip a lot in midplay try the Stiga straight handles - they are chunky and fairly rounded so quite easy to adjust grip with those.

I did hold a Stiga ST handle and I did like the feel of it

For feel, and if I had to do only 1 type of shot - straight squared is the best for me. Like Korbel straight.

But during game it is easier to adjust grip with a round straight. Like Donic Senso.

Flared it the best for wide forehand loop. But is difficult for backhand because the flared part goes in my palm. Also, difficult to do certain types of serves.

If you have big hands like me and adjust grip a lot in midplay try the Stiga straight handles - they are chunky and fairly rounded so quite easy to adjust grip with those.

In the end, it's all about discovering your personal preference through experimentation.

When choosing FL handles, pay attention to the curvature reversal of the wings and where the wings merge into the handle. Most if not all Stiga and Yasaka blades have wings that reverse in curvature less abruptly and merge lower down the handle than the wings of other blades. For some, these two features combine to make FL handles uncomfortable because one of the wings bites into the middle finger. ST handles may have a similar problem but the effect is less bothersome because the handle does not taper. Pay attention to the contour of the FL handle---some FL handles are straight from the top of handle to the middle of the handle and then flare out while others are thin in the middle, large at the top, and still larger at the bottom.

With ST handles, pay attention to the cross section of the handle. I find that an oval cross section offers maximum contact area between handle and hand, hence offering the feeling of a more secure grip. Rectangular and square cross sections with rounded edges feel less secure in the hand to me.

I favored ST. for years until I experienced the great FL of the Donic Epox Blades. Not thin at all where the handle meets the blade. Very comfortable for all strokes. I do not like the squared ST handles on BTY blades, very strange feel.

I got to play with someone else's racket and he has a straight handle. However, it felt quite comfortable and didn't feel like it would fly out of my hand with a hard swing. I've used some Butterfly flared handles, though, and they felt like if I swing too fast, it would fly out of the building. But those were thin flareds. The best handle to date that I've ever used is a flared Wing Medium. It feels very solid and comfortable.

I think I know what you mean arg0. I've played with ST before and it does feel more solid and "locked in" but FL does have the slight ergonomic advantage in that the middle and ring fingers can be a little closer to the centerline of the blade. I prefer to play penhold with a FL handle for the same reason in that my thumb is in a better location. My current blade is not made in cpen handle but I don't mind.

Antiq wrote: I played AN, FL and ST (I don't twiddle) ... all felt different... AN is the most comfortable. ST has the most free wrist movement. FL... not sure how to discribe the feel.. To me, handle shape (as above) don't really matters..

I don't understand...If AN is the most comfortable and ST has most free movement how can handle shape not matter?

Can always do something like this 

I played AN, FL and ST (I don't twiddle) ... all felt different... AN is the most comfortable. ST has the most free wrist movement. FL... not sure how to discribe the feel..

I have a big had as well and that's pretty much the reason I want to try the straight. Hearing the different things though about grips and play I wanted to inform myself and know what I'm getting into. Looking forward to experimenting with both on my robot.

qynthnghm wrote: Does anyone occasionally get a sort of blister on the fleshy part of your palm right at the base of the middle and/or ring finger? I'm wondering if that problem comes with both ST and FL handles. Although I've primarily used FL (Stiga Legend, Nittaku), the one ST handle I've used (Matsush*ta Pro) has given me the same problem. Perhaps it is just the shape of the handle (roundish or squarish)? The only way I can lessen the problem is to do a light sanding but otherwise it still happens to me from time to time.

Does anyone occasionally get a sort of blister on the fleshy part of your palm right at the base of the middle and/or ring finger? I'm wondering if that problem comes with both ST and FL handles. Although I've primarily used FL (Stiga Legend, Nittaku), the one ST handle I've used (Matsush*ta Pro) has given me the same problem. Perhaps it is just the shape of the handle (roundish or squarish)? The only way I can lessen the problem is to do a light sanding but otherwise it still happens to me from time to time.

speedy wrote: I have played with all handles.  ST is my preference.  Why?  Well, I found that ST is better for my BH close to the table.  It's better for my FH flip on the table.  I can change the angle of the racket quicker and easier for differently shots.  With FL, it was good for my FH loop and my BH passive blocks.  I couldn't counter attack with my BH using FL handle. With AN, I smashed the ball very well with FH and can do almost everything with my BH.  However, I couldn't loop well on my FH. So, there you go... Keep in mind that different handles will fit different styles... 95% of my blades are in ST.  The other 5%, they are discontinued blades or I can't find ST handles for them Good luck...

I'll keep this in mind and try to see if I have the same experience. Mind you I still don't have all my strokes fully developed but I have a robot at home which I can setup pretty much any shot and I will try all these shots you describe with both blades.

strulag wrote: I would like to know what everyone's opinion is on the pros/cons as far as playing/technique of these handles or if it even matters at all. I did a search and read some threads but they are mostly about personal preference or comfort. I have been playing with a Yasaka blade that's FL and held other people's blades with ST FL and AN handles. I have big hands with thick fingers and I personally don't like the thinness of the FL handle at the top. It almost feels like it's not there. I did like how the ST and even AN felt but I never played with them. Now as far as stroke, power, technique, etc... does it make a diff? I heard things from more adv players like: ST is better for backhand or ST is better for closer to table play where FL is better for far away. Is that true? And why?

I have played with all handles.  ST is my preference.  Why?  Well, I found that ST is better for my BH close to the table.  It's better for my FH flip on the table.  I can change the angle of the racket quicker and easier for differently shots. 

With FL, it was good for my FH loop and my BH passive blocks.  I couldn't counter attack with my BH using FL handle.

With AN, I smashed the ball very well with FH and can do almost everything with my BH.  However, I couldn't loop well on my FH.

So, there you go...

Keep in mind that different handles will fit different styles...

95% of my blades are in ST.  The other 5%, they are discontinued blades or I can't find ST handles for them

Good luck...

Try the JOOLA Wing blades' flared handles. They're quite thick though attacking with the backhand will require some alterations. Personally I prefer thick flared handles so I don't feel like I'll throw the blade on hard forehands. It matters for me, but only as a matter of preference.