Stiga Exclusive Blade Review
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Topic: Stiga Exclusive Blade Review
Posted By: yogi_bear
Subject: Stiga Exclusive Blade Review
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 7:14am
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TTEX and Stiga have collaborated for a new blade called Stiga Exclusive. http://www.ttex.se/en/stommar/6777-stiga-table-tennis-blade-exclusive-off.html Stiga Exclusive Blade
Weight: 90 grams (FL legend), 89 grams (ST) Hardness: Stiff Plies: 5 (walnut outer plies with secondary spruce layers and ayous center core) Speed: OFF Blade Head Size: 151x157mm
The Stiga Exclusive blade is a specially-made blade by Stiga for TTEX.com online store in Sweden. I believe if I am not wrong about the info, this is exclusively distributed by TTEX and is not sold outside by other stores both online and local stores. One can only buy this through TTEX online order so in some way this is a rare blade. At first close up look on the Stiga Exclusive, one could see that it has the features of the new and high end blades of Stiga. It has the metal tag and logos. It also has no nct coating or finish on the blade surface. One thing I was surprised to find out with this blade is that the blade head size is the standard Butterfly head size which is 151x157mm. Supposedly, Stiga blades have a compact head size about 149x155mm. The blade is a bit thicker than the Intensity NCT and felt stiffer overall. Despite the NCT coating which gives the Intensity NCT a hard surface, the overall feeling of the Exclusive blade is stiffer while the Intensity NCT has flex. The increased head size did increase the weight also. Fortunately, mine is only 90 grams and the ST handle was 89 grams. The neck needed to be sanded down carefully as I would not want a beautiful blade such as this to be ruined. Overall look is a classic brown blade look for the Exclusive blade. On the bare blade, I bounced the Nexy polyball a few times and it had a medium height for its bounce like 6-7inches in height. The sound was loud but only in medium pitch. I attached a Xiom Vega Europe and a DHS H3 Provincial rubber for this blade test. When I was warming up using both backhand and forehand drives, I have noticed the Exclusive blade to have a diminished vibration when compared to the original Intensity NCT. The overall hardness on ball impact feels harder than Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive Intensity NCT and more or less equal to the Yinhe ProW5. The Intensity NCT still has the hardest surface feel with the Exclusive in the middle and the Ma Lin Extra Offensive as the softest. When I was doing drives and smashes with it, it is fast. In fact it is faster than the ProW5 and has a more solid feel on impact. The Exclusive blade seems well suited to the H3 Provincial as my forehand rubber. It was really good in all forms of strokes especially in looping and loop driving balls. The blade can make you spin that much even with polyballs. It gives a medium arc for the balls path onto the table when looping. In fact, looping and counter looping is its forte. It rates high also as a smashing blade but the looping and loop driving is on top of its arsenal. The Exclusive blade fares very well up to mid distance from the table. Further than that and you would need a bit more effort or very fast rubbers. I am quite surprised and impressed with the blade. I am using it now as my main set up when playing once a week. I have also found out that for European rubbers, it favors rubbers that are not too hard. The best hardness for rubbers in tandem with the Exclusive blade would be medium down to soft rubbers. When you dig hard rubbers that you can compress a lot when hitting through the sponge, the control and speed seem to be very high. It produced a loud sound when I was hitting using the Vega Europe DF. For Chinese rubbers, I think only hard or medium would suit well and not soft Chinese rubbers. The H3 Provincial when paired with the Exclusive blade is a nasty spinny set up. Those sharp loops are awesome. Overall, I actually love this better than the Intensity NCT or the Emerald blade. A bit pricey like the Emerald but it is that good. ------------- 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Crowsfeather
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 7:20am
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Look like variant of intensity ??? ------------- I'm no longer an EJ and I'm proud . |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 7:31am
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i don't know if this is 7 ply or 5 ply. if it is 7 ply then it is closer to the 7.6 sense. if they will make a 5 ply intensity, then there is no point in making the same blade under the same brand unless it has a slightly different construction like a thicker core. Looks like walnut for the top plies. ------------- 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: Crowsfeather
Date Posted: 10/23/2015 at 9:29am
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Thank you for information sir. Exclusive looks oldschool in it design. I like that. ------------- I'm no longer an EJ and I'm proud . |
Posted By: qualizon
Date Posted: 10/30/2015 at 10:35pm
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I've talked to someone from ttex, and confirmed that it's a 5 ply blade with construction like the Xu Xin intensity nct. The different is, this blade will be heavier and faster, which I believe it's due to the thicker plies (possibly the core). ------------- N656 TG3 Nat Blue/H360 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66012&PID=793739" rel="nofollow - Feedback http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69193&PID=839189" rel="nofollow - For Sale |
Posted By: kolevtt
Date Posted: 10/31/2015 at 3:12am
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175 USD ... |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/25/2015 at 5:07am
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review added ------------- 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: p1ngp0ng3r
Date Posted: 11/25/2015 at 5:52am
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Thanks for the nice info Yogi. I noticed this blade on TTEX website couple of days ago and am considering it to replace my Infinity. How does the eXclusive compare to Emerald in terms of speed and throw? ------------- Infinity VPS - Hybrid MK - T25 FX |
Posted By: the_theologian
Date Posted: 11/25/2015 at 6:46am
 ------------- Appelgren Allplay ST / Vega Europe max |
kolevtt wrote:Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/25/2015 at 6:56am
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Yup it is expensive. Exclusive is more or less the same speed level with emerald minus the vibration and plus the more solid feel. Intensity is slower ------------- 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: shaame
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 2:24pm
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It's on sale now... 102 bucks ------------- H 3 Neo 2.2//Xiom Offensive S\\Xiom Vega Pro 2.0 |
Posted By: piligrim
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 2:35pm
stiffer than Emerald? |
Posted By: Ray
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 2:46pm
Thanks. Still super expensive if you can live with http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/isaya/Yasaka%20Extra%20Offensive/IMG_7405.jpg" rel="nofollow - Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Off (exactly the same composition: walnut-spruce-ayous-spruce-walnut). ------------- 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: opinari
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 3:35pm
The Exclusive actually seems like a shakehand version of the Xu Xin Intensity as someone else mentioned. The XX Intensity also has no coating or other treatment and supposedly feels more solid than the normal Intensity. Assuming it's similar, one piece of advice for any potential buyers - it's really important to seal this blade. The first time I removed a rubber from the XX Intensity, it came with a good portion of the top ply in the form of splinters. ------------- Blade: BTY Zhang Jike ALC-CS FH: BTY Tenergy 05 BH: BTY Rozena |
Posted By: The Canadian Bacon
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 4:53pm
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Yogi, were the blades sent lacquered? (i think i may have found my Clipper CC replacement) *thanks*  |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 6:17pm
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Nope it is not lacquered nor has the nct coating. ------------- 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: frogger
Date Posted: 12/14/2015 at 9:10pm
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Thanks yogi!  ------------- Wood Paddle Red side Black side. |
Posted By: chronos
Date Posted: 02/23/2016 at 8:47am
| Was lucky enough to be in Stockholm last week and stopped by TTEX and picked out two of these - 89 grams and perfect. They're on sale right now and were $105 each. What a cool blade. Yogi, how does it compare to Stiga Infinity? |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 02/23/2016 at 11:02am
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Infinity is slower and has more vibrations, lighter weight and is thinner. ------------- 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: ttspirit
Date Posted: 02/23/2016 at 5:15pm
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Helo Yogi bear, I'm interested in that blade you havem especially the ST handle. What handle dimensions does it have ? I mean: thickness, wideness and length ? And how is the handle shape, I mean the radius ? Is it similar to other blades ? regards, ttspirit |
Posted By: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/23/2016 at 10:52pm
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Yogi, thanks for your review. How would you rate the Exclusive in terms of speed, hardness and stiffness with the Intensity Carbon? I played the Intensity Carbon for a while but eventually found it too hard, fast and stiff: a beast I could not tame. ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 12:32am
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Intensity carbon is way caster and lighter. I have noticed the speed of the exclusive blade as somewhere faster than a rosewood. It also has a bigger blade head like that of alc's ------------- 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: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 12:37am
Thanks yogi! Do you still use the Exclusive as your main blade? I would also be interested if you (or others) would be able to compare it in speed and stiffness to benchmark carbon blades like TB ALC or Viscaria. ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: onehander
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 1:47am
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I've been using this with a straight handle for the past 2 months. It's my favorite so far after trying a few different blades from friends. H3 Neo Provincial works incredibly well with it just as Yogi mentioned in his review. It feels very solid (good feedback) and fast and blocks well like the 7 ply blades I've tried (Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro and DHS PG7). But it has a softer, more controlled feel for looping like Nittaku Acoustic and OSP Virtuoso. It has a bit more heft than any of the four above blades, but it's well balanced. It is very comfortable at mid distance with unboosted H3 Neo. I'm not sure if it's the wood types or the quality of the woods used, but hitting has a very crisp feeling unlike the other blades that I've tried before. Unfortunately I have never used a TB ALC or Viscaria, so I cannot compare it with those blades. But I have played with a friend's OSP Expert Carbon (with H3/Tenergy 80) for maybe 4 hours and this Stiga Exclusive has more feel, is faster, and stiffer. The OSP Expert Carbon has a much nicer finish though.
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Posted By: ttspirit
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 11:34am
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What are the exact handle dimensions ? regards, ttspirit |
Posted By: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 3:47pm
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@onehander: thanks for the feedback! ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 8:26pm
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Matt, unfortunately it is kinda heavy if I use chinese rubber on one side and a tibhar evolution on the other side so I shifted to the avenger 5 ------------- 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: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/24/2016 at 11:44pm
Thanks yogi! Weight might not be that much of any issue for me since I play a lighter anti on bh. My current blade is 93g. I'm kind of intrigued by this blade but not so much by the price, still $120 even on sale. Might have to look for a used one... ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: chronos
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 10:38am
| Hi ttspirit, I'm not sure about the handle dimensions but these come in the standard stiga handle dimensions - Legend and ST |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 10:42am
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Matt if the weight is ok then by all means get one. The weight is the only reason I stopped using it. ------------- 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: chronos
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 11:09am
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Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 9:53pm
No cpen version? |
Posted By: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 10:16pm
Yes, it is called Xu Xin Intensity. ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 11:49pm
I dont know who sell that. I checked ttex and they sell clipper with the old lens i wonder if its the same quality as the older models http://www.ttex.se/en/stommar/4599-stiga-stomme-clipper-wood.html |
Posted By: Matt Pimple
Date Posted: 02/25/2016 at 11:57pm
Here for example: http://nexyttstore.com/blades/50-xu-xin-intensity-nct-cp-korean-special.html#/weight-8085g A friend of mine got one in China but I don't know exactly where. ------------- OSP Ultimate; Dr. Neubauer Dominance Spin Hard max, Dr. Neubauer Troublemaker 0.5 http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55835&title=feed-back-for-matt-pimple" rel="nofollow - My Feedback |
Posted By: chronos
Date Posted: 05/20/2016 at 11:25am
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Finally got a chance to test this, my first time playing table tennis in quite some time. I had it setup with h8 forehand, and goldarc III backhand. My training partner was also using this blade with h3 neo and tenergy 64 - his is the 2nd one pictured above, and its his main blade now! I'm a long-time clipper CR user and was pleasantly surprised by this blade - I was worried about the hollow feeling that a lot of 5 ply blades have, and that wasn't the case here, the blade has great feedback but not too much vibration for my preferences. Touch and control are better than clipper as you'd expect from a 5 ply - I was more comfortable over the table and returning serves with this blade. The exclusive is also quite quick and faster than I expected. It throws higher compared to clipper and I had to adjust my racket angle / strokes a bit, but the adjustment didn't take long. I'm going through a transition right now with work so not sure when I'll get to play again but as soon as I get back to TT I plan to keep using this blade. It may be because I'm rusty but H8 felt hard and fast (as in the ball sat on the rubber less than I prefer) on the exclusive, and I put a sheet of h3 on after the session.
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Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 05/20/2016 at 12:45pm
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chronos, i thought it was just another intensity blade but boy i was wrong! ------------- 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: chronos
Date Posted: 05/20/2016 at 2:40pm
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Nice yeah, I haven't tried Intensity but can confirm that this blade feels stiff which I prefer (coming from clipper), if intensity is more flexible I think I'd prefer this one. Also while I like the carbon effect of the stiga NCT coating I don't like what it does to the feeling and the bare outers of the exclusive are more my style. I sealed the blade with one layer of zissner shellac and sanded it down to protect the outer ply - when I pulled the h8 I didn't have any problems thankfully. Thanks for your great reviews yogi.
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Posted By: winterdrops
Date Posted: 05/20/2016 at 3:36pm
Could you compare with clipper pls? ------------- Stiga Infinity Fh: Bluefire M2 Bh: Evolution ELP |
Posted By: chronos
Date Posted: 05/20/2016 at 3:38pm
| Slower / less powerful, higher throw, more vibration. Better touch over the table. Blocks well but not as solidly as clipper unsuprisingly. Spinnier loops. That's all I got so far but I only had one session so far! For clipper users looking for a 5 ply blade this may be a good option. |