ST vs FL Handles-Does it matter?

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?

strulag wrote: 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?

Edited by Carbon TT - 04/12/2011 at 4:02pm

cole_ely wrote: They tell me that straight works much better if you're doing this.

Edited by Carbon TT - 04/12/2011 at 4:07pm

If twiddling is part of your game, straight works better because it sits more naturally in the hand, after the twiddle.

From a lady opinion, most of us like the flare handle because most of us has smaller hands and we would like to have a good grip on our blade it so comfortable. Well fo me with the exception of darker fl handle which i could not really have a good grasp of the neck of the blade and i dont like that feeling. Most of the ladies usually have short pips either bh or fh so flare handle is not a big deal when twiddling because the combo is lighther. For me, the only time i will use st handle if my combination is borh smooth rubbers much easy to do the bh.

racquetsforsale wrote: I'm experiencing paralysis by analysis regarding handles. I can't find the right one at a price I can afford.   When it comes to ST handles, I've discovered that I prefer an oval profile over the more rectangular profile with rounded edges. The oval profile yields more surface area for a more secure grip. I'm particular about the width and thickness of the ST handle as well. For example, the ST handle of the Donic Persson Powerplay is both too narrow and too thin, while those on the Waldner series are noticeably wider and thicker. Those same handles, however, to me, have a slight taper towards the end, which again I don't like.   I'm playing with a FL handle at the moment, but I really don't like how the thickness of most FL handles tapers towards the neck. On some FL handles, both the width and thickness taper towards the neck. Those are the worse for me. The most comfortable FL handles IMHO are those with an oval profile, constant thickness, like ST handles, are wider than average, and flare out gradually towards the end. The Donic Persson Powerplay FL handles meet the last requirement but not the rest. Sigh.   Oh, one more thing. ST handles can feel very insecure in the hand, especially if the blade is head-heavy.

For me I find that as I get more advanced in the game , I realise that gripping the handle too tightly isn't at all that good. I get a better swing of the blade if I don't grip too tightly. I also feel the ball better with a loose grip. The FL handle offers a loser grip and a better swing. After trying out ST and AN handles, I finally settled for the FL handle.

Very good info here from everyone. That's what I was looking for. I guess I'll also see for myself as I ordered my first ST handle blade. I've been playing with a Yasaka FL and like most people that don't like a flared handle, it's because of how thin it is where it meets the head. I got a Timo Boll ALC with ST handle which is pretty square-ish from what I hear. I will switch back and forth between the two to see how I like them both for the handle difference and feel of how they play. I will update more once I get to play both.

I prefer FL but I do like to rotate the grip slightly between FH and BH loops which would be better with a straight handle. I often loop with a fairly loose hand though and hold the blade near the head which is better with FL, overall FL is what I prefer

I have always used Flared handles. Of course, not all flared handles are designed/created the same, depending on the manufacturer.

I decided to experiment with a ST handle a couple months ago - Yasaka Max Carbon 3D. I and my friends found this handle kinda thick for a ST.  For me, this handle didn't give me the nimbleness I'm used to in my shots with a FL handle. Therefore, I've abandoned ST and will order a FL version of this blade. 

In Korea, many view ST handles as men's handles while FL as women's handles. They think this way because men have bigger hands and ST handles are more comfortable for bigger hands. Honestly, I don't really feel much of a difference between the two in terms of performance but I personally prefer ST handles. 

This discussion lured myself into trying ST handle....

I use the Matsush*ta Pro qynthnghm is talking about and I can attest to the blistering effect of its handle. I've grown a thick callus there and it becomes sore after a particularly long night of playing. It seems that the area in question gets pinched between the finger and the handle. I suspect that the handle itself is to blame being that, with FL handles, the that spot by the middle finger is generally dipped and not in a position to apply pressure to the finger. I haven't tested this to make sure, though.

I just noticed that my Toxic 5 also has a straight handle.  The Toxic 5 is a defensive paddle but one may want to twiddle with it. 

I usually play with ST handles, and I like the extra freedom of movement they give w.r.t. FL. However, I like experimenting with new blades, and my next two candidates are flared and conical. I just grabbed the bats for a few swings and noticed that conical fills my hand nicely, while with the FL handle I noticed that I actually hold the racket differently.
Due to the fact that the handle is thinner at the top, I tend to hold the racket slightly slanted forward (as compared to the 90 degrees up typical shakehand position), with the fingertips contacting the lateral edge of the handle at the thinnest part of the handle, rather than curling around to touch the forehand side of the handle. As a result, the racket is extending slighly more outward, in the direction of the forearm, as if it were a "tenaly" handle with a more gentle curve. Does anybody else holds the racket that way?
Don't know if this is clear. If not, I'll post pictures.