Butterfly NA and ST blades
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Topic: Butterfly NA and ST blades
Posted By: Baal
Subject: Butterfly NA and ST blades
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:20pm
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So of late, I have been wondering if I might do better with a ST handle. (I have tried this experiment about once every five years and it never works out well, but for some reason I persist in wondering. That is another question for another thread). So to do the experiment right, I decided I should get a blade as much like my currents ones as possible. I use a Viscaria, so there are two obvious choices -- TBS which comes in ST, and ZJK-ALC. I like the ZJK-ALC a lot in FL, it is actually closer to old Viscarias than new Viscarias, I think mainly because they have the right weight that I like, 88-92g. Also, if as usual I find that ST handles don't help me at all, I figure it will be very easy to sell a nearly new ZJK-ALC. So I go to Butterfly NA website, and of course they only have them in FL (as with many other popular blades they sell). But they have a place on their website where you can supposedly special order things (click on Contact Us and a Special Orders tab appears). There it says this: Special OrdersCAN’T FIND THE BTY PRODUCT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?Look no further! Whether you need a hard to find rubber thickness, an obscure handle style, or a blade you can’t even pronounce…..if Butterfly still makes it, we can get it! Simply fill out the form below providing us with a short product description and where you saw the Butterfly item. We will contact you with a quote and an approximate delivery date. So I say to myself, cool, hope springs eternal. So I write them if they can get me a ZJK-ALC in ST. I know they make them in Japan. So you can imagine my amazement when they write back to say " Sorry but we only have the FL handle available. Best regards, Ken What is the point of having a special order page if you are only going to write and tell me that you don't have them in stock? I wrote back to say, yes, I could see that on the website, but perhaps you could ORDER one for me??? You know, one of those "obscure handle styles" -- STRAIGHT!!!! Much used by European players? (Only I didn't include those last two insulting sentences). So now I will see if they actually want to sell a blade to a person who has been a local customer for decades. C'mon, how rare can this thing be? This is the problem with Butterfly's idiotic policy of having only one official dealer per country (or continent); if that dealer ain't so great, you are more or less out of options.
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Replies:
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:25pm
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Now I have heard back. "We will check and see if it is available for special order." Prediction: They will write back and say, no, we cannot possibly obtain this blade with a ST handle. That is simply impossible. I further predict that they will suggest that perhaps I should get the super ZLC version, which (they will imply) is far better than the ALC version (after all it has the word super in it) and this blade only costs around $400 or so (a bargain at any price). All the cool players are using it (oddly enough, not ZJK, but that is another topic). Of course, I know very well that those blades are different and I very much prefer ALC for very good reasons, but I predict they will treat me like an idiot and try to up-sell me with a blade I personally think is not very good (it's an opinion, but I know exactly what I want). We will see. |
Posted By: viva
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:46pm
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option 2: use a forwarding service and order from japan. ------------- My trade feedback here: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40170&title=viva-buy-sell-feedback |
Posted By: 42andbackpains
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:47pm
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Baal get a trustworthy forum member from Asia or Europe to order it for you. Its a stock item in those countries...and you wouldnt have to pay for the special order prices. ------------- Mind is willing, but the back goes out too often :P OSP Ultimate II 88 grams FH Dianchi D w/ Secret Sauce BH Butterfly T05 Red USATT rating keeps going down |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:56pm
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I may end up resorting to that. Anybody here able to help me out? |
Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 4:59pm
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i went to japan and dropped by tt-japan and picked one up myself i might be doing a similar trip in january?
:) |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 5:05pm
hmmm... I might try to talk you into picking up something for me ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
in2spin wrote:Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 5:10pm
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i was afraid of something like that happening............. :)
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Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 5:15pm
 ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: NextLevel
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 5:39pm
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I have this disease in reverse with flare handles. I think I have finally cured myself of it. I sanded my flares into straights and concluded that flares had to be conical flares to work, and there was no point in all that work. ------------- https://youtu.be/jhO4K_yFhh8?t=115" rel="nofollow - I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train... |
Posted By: roundrobin
Date Posted: 10/13/2015 at 5:48pm
Flared handles allow you to use the tip of your fingers more easily (along with your palm), while straight handles allow you to use the middle and bottom portions of your fingers more easily. In general, if you have flexible fingers and flexible wrist and you like to vary the spin of your shots, then flared handle is ideal (ZJK, Waldner). If you like consistency (especially in countering) and have strong fingers, then straight handle is the best choice (Ovcharov, Boll). So it depends on your game quite a bit. ------------- Current USATT Rating: 2181 Argentina National Team Member, 1985-1986. Current Club: Los Angeles Table Tennis Association. My Setup: Yinhe Q1 / T64 2.1 black / Saviga V 0.5mm red |
Posted By: rocketman222
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 1:04am
Are you already taking requests lol ------------- 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 |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 2:11am
So if you like to play like Waldner, use a FL handle... although he used a ST?  ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: roundrobin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 2:31am
He used flared handle when he was here in L.A. for the Gilbert Cup. I had one of his blades from back then, a Banda Waldner. It has an oversize flared handle with a less tapered action than Butterfly flared handles (a bit closer to straight handles than most flared handles out there).  ------------- Current USATT Rating: 2181 Argentina National Team Member, 1985-1986. Current Club: Los Angeles Table Tennis Association. My Setup: Yinhe Q1 / T64 2.1 black / Saviga V 0.5mm red |
Posted By: mickd
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 2:41am
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I live in Japan, so if you'd like me to order one for you, let me know! I'll have to ask how much it'll cost to mail it tho.
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Posted By: roundrobin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 3:02am
Here's another pic: ------------- Current USATT Rating: 2181 Argentina National Team Member, 1985-1986. Current Club: Los Angeles Table Tennis Association. My Setup: Yinhe Q1 / T64 2.1 black / Saviga V 0.5mm red |
Posted By: asifgunz
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 5:22am
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Theres a member whos asking 110+paypal fees + shipping cost for tb alc. Unfortunately I cant remember if its a st or fl. But its brand new. Someone from the phollipines I think. -------------  "I do not have any idols. I am my own idol." - Zhang Jike Feedback: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71761&PN=1#905629 |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 10:19am
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Got this today: We can order the Zhang Jike ALC ST handle for you at the normal cost of $188.99 if you did not want a specific weight. It will take an estimated 2 to 4 weeks to receive at our US warehouse. The cost of the special ordered blade for the weight you requested will be $269.99 Also there is no lens or printing on the blade or handle for special ordered blades. It will take an estimated 8 to 12 weeks to receive at our US warehouse. Best regards, Ken I would have lost my bet. He didn't try to up-sell me with the super-ZLC. Only they jack up the price a lot as soon as you specify a weight. They do not indicate something like "we will ask the factory to get you one close to your weight range but we can't guarantee it".I find this to be appallingly bad customer service. |
Posted By: Zhaoyang
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 10:27am
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Thank you Baal. |
Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 10:57am
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so, for 269, you can choose any config? (i.e. tb alc, spirit, viscaria, michael maze etc.) - it just will not have a lens :)
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Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 11:25am
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For that price I should just ask for a straight handle Viscaria. |
Posted By: NextLevel
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:13pm
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I stopped dealing with Butterfly NA for my main blades a long time ago for obvious reasons (they don't sell straight handles). ------------- https://youtu.be/jhO4K_yFhh8?t=115" rel="nofollow - I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train... |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:20pm
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roundrobin, What should we conclude from the fact that Waldner switched to ST and stuck with it? ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: AndySmith
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:47pm
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Strange that they go full nuclear with a custom order rather than allowing you to select the weight of an off the shelf blade. Maybe that's a limitation of ordering from their Japanese supplier though. Might not be their obstinacy. Not stocking ST handles is the real facepalm here though. And that goes back some way. |
Posted By: AndySmith
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:48pm
That everyone makes mistakes? Even Waldner. #FlareForLifeYo |
Posted By: roundrobin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:54pm
That he found out he likes to block more instead of looping and spinning everything like ZJK?  ------------- Current USATT Rating: 2181 Argentina National Team Member, 1985-1986. Current Club: Los Angeles Table Tennis Association. My Setup: Yinhe Q1 / T64 2.1 black / Saviga V 0.5mm red |
Posted By: slevin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 12:57pm
what about Timo Boll using ST handle then? ------------- Trade feedback: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50787" rel="nofollow - http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50787 |
Posted By: roundrobin
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 1:11pm
Timo was/is the best counterer ever, so it made sense. Same with Ovcharov. ------------- Current USATT Rating: 2181 Argentina National Team Member, 1985-1986. Current Club: Los Angeles Table Tennis Association. My Setup: Yinhe Q1 / T64 2.1 black / Saviga V 0.5mm red |
Posted By: issb1655
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 2:18pm
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Dear All, On behalf of Butterfly NA We apologize for the mistake. We missed that the request came from “Butterfly Special Order”. Ken has taken replied to the customer above with information needed. We will carry more ST blades in 2016, even though they may not make the 2016 catalog which is almost finished. Best Regards, |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 5:59pm
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Yes, I have posted all correspondence I have received from Butterfly already on this thread. I certainly didn't receive anything since the last one I pasted above. I am told Bty NA can get me a ZJK-ALC ST for the regular price but I have to accept whatever weight they decide to eventually ship me, they cannot even guarantee a range of weights, and they don't offer to convey my desires for a particular weight range to the factory in Japan (let's say 88-92g, I'm not that picky, just want a reasonable blade). They also tell metn that is not acceptable I can have one specially made for $270 (or as they call it $269.99) and then I can get the exact weight I want. Chances are for this blade, most of the ones they may have on the shelf in Japan are in my desired weight range, but how hard would it be to convey that message, and maybe even tell me whether or not there is one like that available? One within a 4 gram range? Maybe one or two emails? So, no, I still don't think that is particularly customer-friendly. I don't think it was always like this to deal with Butterfly. It's like they don't want me to buy stuff from them. It would be a good thing to stock at least a few ST blades in the popular series. I probably shouldn't have to tell you that, and it has come up here many times in the past. Am thinking it will soon be time to point out this feature of Bty NA on some of the other English language websites. |
Posted By: looneylooper
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 7:45pm
| @ baal japan (store) is still selling a zjk alc st for 190 equivalent to.usd. if u know someone from Japan or going there u can get it (hopefully). |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 7:51pm
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I just found a barely used one from a member here. So end of this story for now. |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 8:09pm
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Now that I have found a ZJK-ALC and will at some point be able to do a reasonable test of how I play with ST handle, we can switch over to that topic and away from Bty NA. (Thanks to the many people who offered to help me get one). I know the topic has been done before, and it's largely a matter of taste, but I am curious to hear from people who have used both shapes and have found that they prefer one over the other (and why). I have used FL handles since I was about 12 years old. I have never questioned it. But now I am going to see what difference it might make in the way I play -- in a way that makes it as fair a test as I can. Not so easy when I have played with a Viscaria for many years!!! |
Posted By: NextLevel
Date Posted: 10/14/2015 at 8:33pm
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Roundrobin's analysis mostly held true for Mr. I kept sliding down my handle and with big hands, prioritized uniform feel. I wanted to develop my forehand and thought that flare blades could help. I used them for the second half of 2014. I did develop ny forehand but began to feel increasingly lost on ny backhand side. Hence I am setting myself straight again. ------------- https://youtu.be/jhO4K_yFhh8?t=115" rel="nofollow - I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train... |
Posted By: beeray1
Date Posted: 10/15/2015 at 10:55pm
| I'm using a ST handle for the first time, and have been loving it. Before when I would try another person's blade, the ST handles were so thin and it just wasn't pleasant. But with this 80's stiga blade, the handle is so beefy and i feel like I have so much stability. I don't like the beefy FL handles as much, I prefer the mid to thinner ones. But if I could find blades that have beefier ST handles like this i might never switch back to FL. |
Posted By: Avallo
Date Posted: 10/15/2015 at 11:24pm
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@baal actually i got same experience I love to use Tenergy 05 in 1,9mm but unfortunely there is only 2.1 in mine i have asked many times to the agent to make an order for thinner rubbers but they said... you can get it, only if you bought at least 1K sheet per year... because It's the minimum order...... I dunno which is the right one... it's Butterfly Policy or My dealer's economic reason (because most of the player in my country love to use max thickness TT__TT) but about the policy of selling areas... i think it's good... because every country have different tax policy... and that can ruin the business in there if someone from others countries (which has cheaper tax) insult in that country ------------- an indonesian tennis table maniac http://www.mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73216&title=feedback-avallo" rel="nofollow - MY FEEDBACK |
Posted By: Ray
Date Posted: 10/16/2015 at 1:17am
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@beeray1: You should try Tibhar Stratus Powerwood ST. ------------- Life is too short for defensive play. https://twitter.com/spinnier_com" rel="nofollow - https://twitter.com/spinnier_com https://fb.me/spinnier" rel="nofollow - fb.me/spinnier |
Posted By: Vlad0
Date Posted: 10/16/2015 at 2:27am
The local distributor here told me once that no one measure the weights when they produce the blades and that's why he can not guarantee me the asking weight. And he never has what i want in stock. What a sweet job - to sell nothing ! I'm smart enough to not order like this, but my partner decided to take a risk and recently make an order for Joo Se Hyuk ( of course not available for such a famous blade ) and guess the weight when it come - 115 gr.  Slapped the rubbers he use - with 1,2 LP on one side - 200 gr. Well ... it can be useful in the forest .... for cutting trees maybe. If we want to change something we could probably stop making orders like this.------------- TB ALC 86gr + D09c/T05 |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/16/2015 at 10:40am
Avallo, I can see how the tax argument could apply in some places (for example, to my amazement I saw that Stiga items cost more at a store in Stockholm than they do in Houston). Still, if I want a Stiga, Donic, Joola, Nittaku etc. etc. I can buy if from many different places. I am not sure why only Bty operates this way. And then the question is, if Bty is going to operate that way, why do they limit items that a local dealer can sell based on bulk? Why force him to buy 1000 sheets? Like I said, it's like they don't want to sell that 1.9 mm Tenergy or certain ST blades (so why even make it then). |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/16/2015 at 9:09pm
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Tried the straight ZJK-ALC today that I bought from a member here. The blade itself was a bit slower and felt hollow and light compared to my Viscarias and my other ZJK-ALC blades and it seemed to throw quite low. (Is that the blade or a fresh glue job?). But the effect of using that handle was very interesting indeed. My wrist was suddenly liberated. I was ripping some backhands that I couldn't believe, my practice partner was just shaking his head. Also it felt great in short game and serving. It seems really easy to get really good control of the grip after serving and very fast transitions from FH to BH were so fluid.. I felt a bit lost at time on some forehands, not quite sure how to hold it, but I think that was as much the different feel of this particular blade as the handle. (It really felt odd for an ALC blade and that was definitely not the handle). I have to say, after 1 session, I liked it a lot. Time will tell. One thing that was interesting is that after 2 hours with the ST, I got my Viscaria out and was suddenly very conscious of this big lump in my palm that immediately made my distal forearm tense up. This experiment will definitely continue. |
Posted By: NextLevel
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 1:48am
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Now I know why I can't stand the Viscaria. ------------- https://youtu.be/jhO4K_yFhh8?t=115" rel="nofollow - I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train... |
Posted By: CraneStyle
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 2:44am
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Well Baal, as your mantra goes "... you have to try it for yourself." I've always felt that ST blades provide the world of freedom in my hand and I can't get along with FL handled at all... I think I've got about 5 different grips (including serves), with the freedom and comfort of ST handle...  Welcome to the world of ST... ------------- 1. Mizutani Jun ZLC, FH T80, BH T05 |
Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 7:06am
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I have always felt personally that ST's were more maneuverable that, and for me it always felt like the FL made me "choke up" on the grip when I was young I shaved the flares off power drives handles :) |
Posted By: wturber
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 10:06am
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I have never really noticed a difference. It always seems to be more a matter of the particular blade than the handle. I go back and forth with no problem and no conscious adjustment. ------------- Jay Turberville www.jayandwanda.com Hardbat: Nittaku Resist w/ Dr. Evil or Friendship 802-40 OX |
Posted By: onehander
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 10:55am
| I played flared (and Jpen) for 31 years. I never thought of changing equipment for the longest time. Since I switched from Sriver to MX-P (with a positive experience) on my Jpen, I thought I might try a straight handle for shake hand. So last January I tried a straight handle and wished I had tried it a lot sooner. My grip changed, my hand was more relaxed, and my control was much improved. |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/17/2015 at 11:22am
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It took me about 15 min to get over this strange feeling that the blade was going to fly out of my hand. Once I did, everything opened up in interesting ways. I hope the blade itself (outside of the handle) feels better today, though. I am hoping it's strange feel yesterday was because I glued on rubber an hour before I played with it. Sadly, I don't think that's it. But today I will see.
I actually tried ST handle once before, about 5 or 6 years ago, and I was playing SP on my BH at that time (a phase I went through for a couple of years). At that time the ST handle (it was a TB-ALC) for some reason felt so strange that I gave up on it after about 15 minutes, and sold the blade the next day. The grip I used playing with SP on BH was actually quite a bit different because my BH needed a much more open blade angle. Now I use T05 on both sides, my grip and strokes are pretty orthodox and this time the ST handle is an entirely different experience. |
Posted By: speedy
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 8:00pm
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Baal, Welcome to the ST handle experience. I have been using ST handle for most of my life. Once in awhile, I tried Viscaria FL or Clipper CR FL. They are not bad, but I can play backhand way much better with ST. Give it time my friend, give it time... Good luck, ------------- SPEEDY Viscaria Super ALC ST JOOLA Rhyzen CMD(FH) Nittaku Moristo SP (BH) |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 9:34pm
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I am actually enjoying it more now that the blade I have is a little more familiar. Of this continues I may have to have a giant clearance sale on very good Viscaria blades (and have a couple of ST Viscarias custom made). This particular ZJK-ALC I got is not one of the best of its breed I have to say, but it is certainly good enough for me to see the potential of ST. |
Posted By: speedy
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 9:52pm
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Ball, Whenever you place an order for ST Viscarias, let me know. I might want a few (I am 100% cured from EJ)------------- SPEEDY Viscaria Super ALC ST JOOLA Rhyzen CMD(FH) Nittaku Moristo SP (BH) |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 10:06pm
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As soon as they get back to me with the price, I will PM you. |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 10:13pm
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Abit off topic but... So far I've played with: 2 ST (Korbel, SSCB) 3 FL (Primorac, TB ALC, YEO) FL did help me keep my wrist relaxed on FH shots but BH always felt unnatural due to my large hands. My solution was this:  I know some of you dislike the idea of grip tape for blade feeling and stuff but for me its the best of both worlds. I can maintain a loose grip for forehand shots and at the same time have the BH I always needed. Still wish they would bring back Korbel ST version. That blade was my favorite ST handle 5ply wood. ------------- Main: Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC 85g FH/BH: Glayzer 09C 2.1mm Chopper: Stratus Power Defense 85g FH: Hybrid K3 max BH: Grass D.TecS 0.9mm USATT: 1725 |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 10:41pm
I believe it is still made, no? ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 10/19/2015 at 10:53pm
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Only the European version which I read is crap. JTTA is no longer made, and the ones that are sold here on forums are severely overpriced. ------------- Main: Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC 85g FH/BH: Glayzer 09C 2.1mm Chopper: Stratus Power Defense 85g FH: Hybrid K3 max BH: Grass D.TecS 0.9mm USATT: 1725 |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/20/2015 at 3:39am
Hmm, I'm a bit on the fence whether to keep mine. ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: in2spin
Date Posted: 10/20/2015 at 10:52am
:)
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Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 10/20/2015 at 5:10pm
 ------------- Main: Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC 85g FH/BH: Glayzer 09C 2.1mm Chopper: Stratus Power Defense 85g FH: Hybrid K3 max BH: Grass D.TecS 0.9mm USATT: 1725 |
Posted By: tonky777
Date Posted: 10/20/2015 at 9:35pm
Are you sure about this? They still sell the Japanese ones in Korea (I'm not saying that makes it more accessible for us but at least the supply isn't running short anytime soon). Got a nice 89g ST myself from Korea about an year ago. ------------- Viscaria SpinArt/Tenergy 05 Let's just enjoy the good things we get/have access to... |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 12:51am
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tonky777, What website is that? ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
Posted By: tonky777
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 1:19am
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That screenshot is of http://www.butterfly-korea.co.kr/ Other tt equipment dealers in Korea also have the Korbel ST available so I don't think Butterfly Japan has stopped producing STs completely (Unless they stocked up for years in anticipation of course). ------------- Viscaria SpinArt/Tenergy 05 Let's just enjoy the good things we get/have access to... |
Posted By: DreiZ
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 8:18am
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Last time I spoke to a Korean club owner who is also a butterfly dealer he said he couldn't get it anymore. I'm sure shops in Korea still have it but to pay the shipping plus all the fees would be too much for the blade. Soon enough the stock will run out since I don't see it on the Japanese website. And the custom "korbel" that many Korean pros use is just too much for what it's worth. Tonky, did you order from Korea or bought it while visiting Korea? Also how much in USD did you pay for it? ------------- Main: Ovtcharov Innerforce ALC 85g FH/BH: Glayzer 09C 2.1mm Chopper: Stratus Power Defense 85g FH: Hybrid K3 max BH: Grass D.TecS 0.9mm USATT: 1725 |
Posted By: AcudaDave
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 9:01am
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A friend of mine special ordered a Viscaria that cost him about $300. He specified the weight he wanted and after about 6 months he finally received it. He's been constantly switching back and forth between his regular Viscaria and the $300 one and unfortunately he can't tell much difference.
Rather than pay that much for a blade I'd rather order an OSP blade or maybe one of the Re-Impact blades. ------------- Joola Zhou Qihao 90 blade Joola Dynaryz Inferno max - BH Nittaku Moristo SP 2.0 - FH |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 9:44am
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I would never pay that much for a Viscaria just for the weight, that's for sure. Handle shape is different since they have not made that blade in ST for many years. Probably the smarter move on my part would be to just buy a TBS ST, or ust play a little more with the ZJK-ALC ST I have. It is actually not a bad blade, just a little deader than the Viscarias I have been used to. But a fool and his money... |
Posted By: tonky777
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 10:16am
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Yes I agree while the Korbel ST is a terrific blade, the custom Korbels are not worth the price (at least for my level of play). What your club owner says is interesting as I frequently check the Korean sites every few weeks or so and they seem to restock quite periodically (unless, as indicated earlier, they really did fill up their inventory in advance). I had a relative who was planning on sending a package to me so I asked if they could purchase the blade for me with the specified weight and squeeze it in the box. Good thing I maintain good relations with her despite the distance haha. Paid 75,000 Korean Won which is approx. $65 - $70. While I know some of the offers on this forum is a bit high, perhaps you should invest now since the price can only go up in the future?  ------------- Viscaria SpinArt/Tenergy 05 Let's just enjoy the good things we get/have access to... |
Posted By: AcudaDave
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 11:09am
Baal...I think the special options my friend selected were more than just weight, but overall the blade is still a Viscaria blade and he hasn't noticed that big of a difference. I would be willing to try some of the Butterfly blades but unfortunately most of their handles are just too small for me. One of their blades I would be interested in is the Hadraw VR and SR all wood blade, but I read someone said the handle was on the small side.  ------------- Joola Zhou Qihao 90 blade Joola Dynaryz Inferno max - BH Nittaku Moristo SP 2.0 - FH |
Posted By: Baal
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 11:38am
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I am not sure how much extra secret sauce they could put in to justify a price like that either. I am very happy with the regular ones. Only now I want a straight handle. |
Posted By: Bran
Date Posted: 10/21/2015 at 12:06pm
| Having held a Viscaria ST and a Boll ST, though not a ZJK ST, the old straight handles were markedly rounder and thicker than the new ones. I preferred the Viscaria handle by far. If the custom ones are old style handles, there might still be some added value. |
Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 2:50pm
| Interesting thread. I played uncoached TT as a kid, tennis, squash...so when it came to really learn how to play TT I experimented for years with grips and handles... my Q - is there a correlation between hand size and preference for ST handles? Generally speaking of course. Do ST handles show up more in big hands? |
Posted By: bschap
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 2:53pm
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http://www.tabletennismaster.com/profiles/blogs/the-shakehand-technique-topic
I encourage handle/grip explorers to check out the above link. It really helped me to learn an effective, comfortable, and loose grip. Notice the middle finger barely crosses the handle in both pics (Kong and Wang).
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