XIOM Offensive S review.
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Topic: XIOM Offensive S review.
Posted By: Anton Chigurh
Subject: XIOM Offensive S review.
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 12:21am
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I dig XIOM products for their fine quality and reasonable prices, so I wanted to mention a few things about this blade for anyone who is interested. Build: It's a 5-ply blade, 6.1mm. I don't know the exact build but I'm 99.9% certain the outer ply is limba. I'm guessing the blade is the classic limba-ayous-ayous-ayous-limba along the lines of the Korbel and so many other nice 5-plies. Mine is a flared handle. Here's a pic (from the internet, but mine looks the same):  Handle: For the newer model blades (2010 and beyond), XIOM slimmed down the flare handles ever-so-slightly, making them just perfect for me. (For reference, think of the somewhat larger Butterfly flares, like Viscaria, and not the super slim flares, like the Innerforce ZLC, or like the tiny Nittaku flares.) Feel: The feel of this blade is in between soft and hard... so I guess it has a "medium" feel. Although limba blades tend to feel softish (in my experience), I think the softness is somewhat mitigated by the thicker outer plies. It has a very solid feel when hitting the ball... not like the "hollowness" of some Stiga blades. (I'm not knocking Stiga blades, as I like Stiga, but they definitely have a specific feel and this blade feels more solid.) A little vibration is there but it's fairly minimal. It's not as dead as an arylate/carbon weave by any means, but it's a little less vibration than one might expect from an all-wood blade, probably due to the 6.1mm thickness. Performance: It is pretty fast as 5-ply blades go, but not insanely fast. Definitely faster than a Korbel, but a bit slower than a Viscaria (which I realize is not an all-wood 5-ply but I'm just using it as a speed reference). I find the Offensive S to be very controllable. I've tried many rubbers on it--from Chinese to Tensors--and everything seems to work well enough with it. There is a little flex there with solid contact and good arm speed, but you have to work some to extract it. At 6.1mm, it's quite stable for blocking. XIOM markets it in the OFF range and I wouldn't disagree, though perhaps it's on the lower end of OFF. I would consider this to be an excellent all-around attacker's blade. Essentially, it does everything well. No quirks or odd idiosyncrasies--just a dependable, predictable blade. The best news to a person like myself is that despite its excellent craftsmanship and fine finish, and despite it's great performance, it still comes in at a reasonable $50. I would definitely suggest it to anyone seeking a solid feeling, high quality 5-ply at a reasonable price. ------------- Neo H3 40D| Offensive S | Tenergy 80 |
Replies:
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 5:04am
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nice review anton, you think it would be possible that butterfly also makes xiom's blades? the quality and finish are kinda identical with the butterfly blades
------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: Kolev
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 6:05am
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Thanks for the review.I was just about to buy this blade, but there were no reviews at the time. I also thought about this one too-Xiom Extreme S http://www.mytabletennis.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_7_22.jpg -  ------------- Hallmark Carbon Extreme (x3) FH: D05/G1/RX BH: Z2/D64/Ω7Pro |
Posted By: takkugoku
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 9:32am
| accidental double entry.. see below about xiom |
Posted By: vvk1
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 9:48am
| Anton, how does it compare to V1? |
Posted By: takkugoku
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 9:51am
Xiom is a line from Champion, a South Korean tt equipment maker with long history |
yogi_bear wrote:Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 10:29am
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takkugoku, but does champion really produce their own blades? ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: Anton Chigurh
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 11:05am
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@vvk1: They are two very different blades, IMO. The V1 is a composite blade with a walnut outer ply, which gives it a very sharp, carbon feel. The V1 is also much thinner and has a bit more flex. And in general, the Offensive S is a heavier blade. (I asked for an 85g Offensive S but was told that the lightest they had was an 88g and that they thought it was going to hover around the 90g range in general; whereas, the V1 hovers around 80g.) Both handles are similar in comfort, but that's about all the similarities they share. I would give the edge in speed to the Offensive S. @yogi: It's a valid question but I really have no idea. My intuition tells me no, since Butterfly doesn't strike me as the type of company who would make stuff for other companies or who (for the most part) would allow their products to be sold at reasonable prices. I think that whoever manufactures XIOM blades simply makes the extra effort to produce a fine product... without feeling the need to kick the consumer in the crotch. ------------- Neo H3 40D| Offensive S | Tenergy 80 |
Posted By: AMonteiro
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 11:12am
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This new "classic" style line from Xiom to me looks like an attempt to make Butterfly Classics..
Xiom Allround S has specs close to Primorac Off-
Xiom Offensive S close to Korbell
Xiom Extreme S close to SK7 ------------- Dynaryz AGR /Yasaka Goiabao 5 / Dynaryz AGR |
Posted By: pablogilberto
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 12:30pm
| Nice review for a lovely blade. I've yet to try any blade made by Xiom, but looking at the quality of the blades, it really speaks a lot of the quality of Korean Workmanship. Even granting the assumption that the blades are made by a contractor, the quality is still top notch. Korea has come a long way and are catching up on the Japs and Germans in all kinds of industries from Automotive to semi-conductors.. |
Posted By: PedramTT
Date Posted: 08/16/2011 at 3:41pm
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Actually they are made in China. I'm sure about V1 Quad ------------- The movement which is the existence of the universe is the movement of love. Ibn 'Arabi, Fusûs al-Hikam |
Posted By: vvk1
Date Posted: 08/17/2011 at 11:53am
| Thank you. So V1 is slightly slower than Offensive S? Interesting .. |
Posted By: assiduous
Date Posted: 08/17/2011 at 3:53pm
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Looks really nice. Blades have become increasingly ugly recently, with plenty of colors that don't belong in wood products in my opinion, like red and blue and purple and whatnot. How much does it weigh? May be I get the slower one, which would be thinner and flexier too. God knows I don't need another blade, but if it looks good.. Can we have a real picture too, actually? I bought a couple of blades already for no reason other than looks, and I have been nothing but disapointed. Nothing looks like the picture any more. ------------- puppy412 : Sorry man, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but I know that more training will make me better, I don't need to come here to figure that out |
Posted By: Anton Chigurh
Date Posted: 08/18/2011 at 4:19pm
I think so... but I could be remembering it incorrectly.  It has been a while since I played with the V1. Honestly, to be certain I'd need both blades next to me with the same rubbers on each. I feel like the Offensive S is a bit faster, but I think that the differences in speed are fairly minimal. The biggest differences are in the feels of the blades. ------------- Neo H3 40D| Offensive S | Tenergy 80 |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/08/2011 at 10:41pm
| I've owned two Xiom blades, and while I did not end up keeping either one, the workmanship was truly first rate. I didn't like them quite as much as my beloved Viscarias, but they were excellent blades. Xiom gives great value for the money. |
Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 10/08/2011 at 10:57pm
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This is a great description. It sounds like exactly what I've been looking for in a blade. I've been wanting to go back to 5 plys for a few months now, but haven't found the right one. I wont buy butterfly. Otherwise I'd already own a korbel. To be honest, if I were to describe what I wanted in a blade, it would be pretty damn close to what you just described for this blade, Anton. I have always been kinda hesitant to buy a xiom product though... I tend to stick to really common models of blades because they are tried and true. Like Clipper- everyone loves clippers. But I like the idea of one thicker core, and I like that kind of feel more. Are there other blades out there that are the same kind of build other than the korbel? What are they? to be honest, my "add to cart" button finger might get itchy enough to just go ahead and buy this one instead of getting another OC CR... which is what I've kind of settled for. What are the other blades like this one out there before i get it?
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Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 10/09/2011 at 1:45am
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also, how does it compare to the Fuga, Anton? If you could be so kind that is :) I've been reading into that blade too.
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Posted By: mhnh007
Date Posted: 10/01/2012 at 8:33am
| I had a chance to play with the Offesive S, excellent blade. It play very similar to P Korbel, a little faster, but a bit softer. It is more balance than the P Korbel, so if you play with heavy rubber, then this blade is better for you. BTW - good review, I totally agree. |
Posted By: Benigma
Date Posted: 10/16/2012 at 7:23am
Has anyone had a go with the Extreme S? That one looks very promising for me 
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Posted By: seguso
Date Posted: 10/16/2012 at 7:47am
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i've used extreme S for 3 months. it is a great wooden blade, stiff and medium hard , 7 ply, limba outer. similar to clipper wood, probably even more to clipper cr which I haven't tried. same thickness and same wood as clipper wood, but faster, a bit lower throw, and slightly more flexible.
I've changed it with galaxy t1 because it was still too slow. ------------- pg5x - mxd fh & bh - https://youtu.be/dBMqj0CN7XU" rel="nofollow - 2015 video |
Posted By: mhnh007
Date Posted: 10/16/2012 at 8:22am
| The more I play with the Offensive S, the more I like it. It has enough power to put away point, and the control is as good as any wooden blades that I've tried. I think I am going to oder another one with Square handle to try. |
Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 10/16/2012 at 5:36pm
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I wish i still had the Offensive S I bought from Anton. That was one of the best blades I've ever had. It's definitely up there. |
Posted By: AlexB
Date Posted: 10/21/2012 at 12:48pm
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Anton, Could you make comparison with Tibhar Stratus Power Wood?
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Posted By: Anton Chigurh
Date Posted: 10/21/2012 at 1:36pm
Nope. Never played with it. Sorry. ------------- Neo H3 40D| Offensive S | Tenergy 80 |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 10/21/2012 at 1:46pm
where to get extreme S, if i recall you play with pips pen? it would be really a replacement for clipper/CR?
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Posted By: jatienza930
Date Posted: 10/22/2012 at 2:50am
Nice review! I kept my xiom offensive s. I used it for several months when I wanted to improve my swing. Paired tenergy 05, 05 fx and worked like a charm. Heaps of control and has speed when you need it. Its around in the lower OFF rating but still has enough speed for an offensive topspin game. Xiom blades are exceptionally well made for the price. I also have an axelo in which the finish is nothing short of outstanding. 
------------- BTY TBS FL T05 T64 My Feedback http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56638&KW=jen&title=jatienza930-buy-sell-feedback |
Posted By: Imago
Date Posted: 11/22/2012 at 4:14am
| Thanks for the elaborate - as always! - review. As for the Fuga comparison thing, Fuga must be somewhat faster and harder than Off S, but this is a conjecture based on pitch. |
Posted By: IanMcg
Date Posted: 11/22/2012 at 2:48pm
I haven't played Offensive S before but I guess that in comparison, the Fuga would have a slightly softer feel and be a tad slower.
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Posted By: alphapong
Date Posted: 11/23/2012 at 2:46pm
| I have played with Fuga and Offensive S. The outer layers on Fuga are harder and the pitch is higher. |
Posted By: Anton Chigurh
Date Posted: 11/23/2012 at 3:42pm
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The Fuga is essentially a Stiga OC. Koto outer ply. It is thinner than the Offensive S. It is also a bit slower. The Fuga has a sharper (or "harder") feel than the Offensive S but the Offensive S is definitely faster. Both are great blades. One is stiffer, softer feeling, and faster (the Offensive S) and the other is flexier, sharper feeling, and a bit slower (Fuga). ------------- Neo H3 40D| Offensive S | Tenergy 80 |
Posted By: laki
Date Posted: 06/27/2013 at 5:34am
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I found an interesting review of xiom offensive s at one Chinese website saying that the inner core of the blade is paulownia (if my google translated it correctly), which is kiri wood, i think... Here is the site http://www.yoger.com.cn/product/144006.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.yoger.com.cn/product/144006.html ------------- Stiga Clipper CC FH: Xiom Vega Pro BH: Joola X-plode |
Posted By: laki
Date Posted: 06/27/2013 at 5:45am
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Sorry for reviving the old topic, but I recently bought this blade and I was curious so I searched the net a bit. Anyway, I am trilled with the blade I am starting to fall in love with it. It made me come back to all wood blade again, and I almost forgot the feeling that it gives you. Astounding ... P.S. Anton, that was a remarkable review. You really hit the spot with it  . It made me buy this blade and I don't regret one second of it. I look forward to any of your reviews. Cheears.------------- Stiga Clipper CC FH: Xiom Vega Pro BH: Joola X-plode |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 11/19/2014 at 10:21pm
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resurrecting this since im curious about this blade: been looking for a korbel ST for a reasonable price but I found few alternatives, this being one of them. how would this blade play with Xiom Vega rubbers, especially Pro version? also how different/similar is it to a korbel ST in terms of feel, handle size, etc? in terms of finish, does this blade splinter easily? |
Posted By: IanMcg
Date Posted: 11/20/2014 at 12:24am
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Feel is medium like the Korbel, but Off S is definitely stiffer. ST handle is definitely not square; it's wider than Korbel, but around the same thickness. Korbel is more head heavy. If you try Korbel and feel like you need something a hair faster and a smidgeon stiffer, Off S is your blade. Most rubbers will play well on this blade. It's not too soft nor too hard, not too stiff nor too flexible, not too thick nor too thin- it's a very balanced blade. Moderately fast. Can play close to the table and at mid distance, not recommended to play with far from the table (but really, who's going to be playing back there with the new ball). The blade has a very smooth finish, you might want to seal very very lightly just in case but I wouldn't worry about it. |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 11/20/2014 at 8:26pm
thanks for the input! How would Vega Pro both sides play on this blade, would it be comparable to Korbel + T05 both sides? |
Posted By: IanMcg
Date Posted: 11/20/2014 at 11:18pm
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I feel that Vega Pro and T05 are rather different, VP is harder and deader and I think it would work better on a Korbel, but as I said before Off S is a blade that works well with pretty much any rubber. As long as you're comfortable with the rubber, it will probably work with the Off S. One more thing, if you can do a knock test with your Off S before buying that would probably be good. Just hold the edges of the blade head with your thumb and middle finger, and knock the flat of the handle lightly against your forehead. A higher pitched sound means a harder blade, and shorter vibrations means the blade is stiffer.
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Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 11/20/2014 at 11:30pm
Sounds good. I wouldn't be able to get a hold of off s without buying it. But it's the second best choice after korbel st. Which rubber out of xiom family matches to t05 in your opinion? And would it ^ match well on off s, identical both sides. sorry if im asking a lot of questions. |
Posted By: IanMcg
Date Posted: 11/20/2014 at 11:54pm
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I've only really hit with Vega Pro and I found it hard to control compared to T05, but then again I normally use Sriver 2.1 so I would find a lot of modern rubbers uncontrollable  I'm sure somewhere in the XIOM lineup you could find a rubber that you would be comfortable playing with, but I haven't played with any of them There are a ton of threads on XIOM rubbers that would help much better than I can.
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Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 11/21/2014 at 4:00pm
| vega pro for me took a little bit to get used to. I really really like it right now though. I remember when it was first getting out there, William henzell gave it really really high praise. It's really stable, I wouldn't call it dead by any means, it's just more linear than tenergy. It still has really good catapult when not being completely passive. But you can get some really great spin out of it. I consider it a fast rubber, and I use it on defplay. So I'm sure it's plenty fast on any other blade. In my opinion, the xiom rubbers that are in the $50-60 range don't really have much if anything over vega pro for 38 bucks. |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 11/21/2014 at 4:12pm
Which vega do you think is comparable to t05? |
Posted By: Fehrplay
Date Posted: 11/22/2014 at 4:16pm
| Have someone tried it with the Airoc M? |
Posted By: ThijsG
Date Posted: 12/15/2015 at 2:55am
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faster than the korbel? too bad I was looking for the same or slightly slower but withe the same feel and bigger handle 
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Posted By: patrick1v
Date Posted: 12/15/2015 at 5:57pm
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actually the off s has a bigger handle the korbel blade it is a bit wider and for biegn a bit slower i wouldnt worry as it is an excellent controll blade with a couple sheets of vega europe it gives everything you need in a blade |
Posted By: rocketman222
Date Posted: 12/15/2015 at 6:21pm
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shameless plug - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73856&title=f-s-xiom-stradivarius-and-xiom-offensive-s i m selling my used(2 months only) one for 35$ including shipping/fees. ------------- http://www.bladesbycharlie.com/models/hinokighost" rel="nofollow - BBC Hinoki Ghost http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74126&title=feedback-rocketman222" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |