Blade change / upgrade
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Topic: Blade change / upgrade
Posted By: Fraziel66
Subject: Blade change / upgrade
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 9:55am
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Hi Folks, Looking for a bit of advice on blade choice. I would describe myself as an advanced beginner. Decent stroke technique but still struggling a little with getting good spin on serves and on handling incoming serves. Counterlooping against heavy spin not great either but getting there. I tend to play more with drive looping and blocking on both sides. Not right at the table but a step back. I am currently using a Stiga Allround classic with Friendship Focus III Snipe 2.1 on both sides. Soft sponge, on Butterfly scale prob around 35-36. Love the set up, great for a developing player with great control and a non tacky, grippy rubber that is not too expensive. Medium throw. I have started playing more often and am looking to step up to a faster blade. I do not want to change the rubber right now. I am looking for some suggestions. I prefer a medium,medium soft or soft feel to a blade and one that is not too stiff, I want to avoid a hard feel and blade that is too stiff. I am looking at something that would be a zippy/fast all+ blade or an off-. I am open to blades with carbon or other composites to enlarge the sweet spot. I don't want anything too fast. Not yet anyway I have been looking at Butterfly primorac off- Stiga Offensive classic Stiga offensive classic carbon Stiga Energy wood Stiga Allround classic Carbon Donic Persson Power Allround Yasaka Extra 3D Yasaka Ma Lin soft carbon I am open to ANY suggestions though that fit medium, medium soft or soft feel blade that's not too stiff. I have a budget of around £50 -60. Same in Euros or about $70 I look forward to your help. thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Odie
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 10:35am
| Appelgren WC89 might be a nice option, but possibly out of the budget range. |
Posted By: icontek
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 10:40am
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From that list i would rule out the primorac and ma lin soft carbon. The former doesn't feel like a stiga and the latter is faster than you are looking for and has the worsr feel of the lot. I'd be curious how the energy wood plays with the plastic ball... and don't have any experience with Stigas Carbon blades other than the Super Carbon. I'd argue also thata used Virtuoso 158 gives yoi the speed of the OC with the control of the Stiga AR. ------------- http://bit.ly/vLMhuB" rel="nofollow - - RC1042 . OSP Virtuoso AC: PK50 + R42 |
Posted By: GrayFox
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 10:44am
| Donic Waldner Senso Carbon JO Shape |
Posted By: col6628
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 1:08pm
| andro trieiber z , great all round blade, selling on here quite cheap |
Posted By: jpenmaster
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 1:16pm
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I would suggest a Primorac off(Japan version) in the 88-90 gram range. For some reason to me the newest version of Korbel feels faster and the newest version of Primorac feels like the old Korbel. ------------- OSP Expert II w DNA Dragon Grip |
Posted By: stiltt
Date Posted: 10/01/2017 at 5:02pm
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In terms of feel , is staying close to what you have an option? for example with the http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/stiga-offensive-classic" rel="nofollow - offensive classic ? it has such a wood feel and is not that fast; not a slow blade by any means, it only feels so, encouraging us to go for it. The dwell is still monstrous with an elastic kick back. It is a safe, so predictable blade. There is the http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/stiga-allround-classic-carbon" rel="nofollow - allround classic carbon too. I never tried the http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/stiga-offensive-classic-carbon" rel="nofollow - carbon version of of the offensive classic but with your rubbers I can't imagine you'd get an uncontrollable rocket; Stiga specialists will tell you.
------------- /forum/topic91512_page1.html#1124698" rel="nofollow - sales - forum_posts.asp?TID=19315" rel="nofollow - feedback |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/02/2017 at 8:59am
| hi,thanks for the reply, Have you tried the allround classic carbon? How did it feel speed and feel wise to the allround classic and the offensive classic? thanks |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/02/2017 at 9:00am
| Thanks for the replies. Got a few ideas. The virtuoso sounds interesting but not sure about availability in the UK. |
Posted By: king_pong
Date Posted: 10/02/2017 at 5:14pm
(Swedish blade expert here  ) The blades you mention are right "in my wheel-house" I think you should go with the Stiga Energy Wood. It's like a juiced up Allround Classic. My good buddy/training partner plays with one, and we switch blades once and a while juat for fun. It plays nice and controlled on touch shots, and then really zips the ball when you start taking full swings. The Offensive Classic could be nice too, but I think the feel of the Energy Wood more closely resembles the Allround Classic. You mention the Yasaka Extra 3D. I have revently been playing with the Yasaka Gatien Extra (now renamed "Sweden Extra"). I finally get all the fuss about this blade. It is simply replete. It lacks neither speed nor spin and the control is there too (I am using Xiom Vega Pro). The Yasaka Sweden Extra blade is now on sale on tabletennis11.com for just $22(!) and Vega Pro just so happens to be on sale this week too. The Yasaka Extra plays like a slightly faster/crisper Allround Classic (due to the Anegre top-ply). I would just go with that and work on your game. ------------- Stiga Infinity VPS (Master): fh/bh - Nittaku Hammond CR max |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/03/2017 at 6:28am
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Hi, I was considering the energy wood but it seems to only be availbale with a WRB handle. I dont like the hollowed handles as i think the blades feel less solid and less stable. Do you know if it is available with a standard handle? I was also thinking about offensive classic. Does the OC have a harder feel? Thats the impression i am getting from reviews and that puts me off a little as i am still looking for that feel of good dwell time. I am def considering the Yasaka blades mentioned as think they could be good. What are the handles like? I love Stiga flared handles as a good size, not tiny like Butterfly flared handles tend to be.I was using an Andrzej Grubba all+ for a while but the handle was just too small and not comfortable.
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Posted By: ohwell
Date Posted: 10/03/2017 at 6:43pm
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Xiom Offensive S is fantastic as a faster Stiga Allround Classic style blade. It has the same wood plies: 5 ply wood, Limba (outer) - Ayous (middle) - Ayous (Core). (The wood plies are very important to the feel of the blade.) The most obvious difference is that the Offensive S is thicker, making it faster. But it still has decent flexibility, outstanding control, and gives great feedback to the hand and index finger. If you want more speed but a feel that remains in the direction of the Stiga Allround classic, it is worth a serious look IMO. |
Posted By: doraemon
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 4:22am
I think there were discussions that Energy Wood WRB is actually the same as Stiga Allround Evolution (solid handle). The difference is in the handle only (WRB vs non-WRB) and the color of the plies (Energy has blue plies and Allround Evolution has red plies). ------------- Blade : Just wood FH : black rubber BH : red rubber |
Fraziel66 wrote:Posted By: doraemon
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 4:23am
I beg to differ here. Xiom Offensive S is a Korbel clone. Its composition is limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba. It is actually stiffer and a bit faster than Korbel. At least mine is. ------------- Blade : Just wood FH : black rubber BH : red rubber |
Posted By: doraemon
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 4:26am
I have Yasaka Extra 3D and Yasaka Extra. Extra 3D is more flexible and a bit faster (from the trampoline effect). I also tried Yasaka Extra with JTTA mark and it is softer and more flexible compared to mine (Extra without JTTA mark). My Extra is rather hard and stiff. I think it is a difference in wood variations. ------------- Blade : Just wood FH : black rubber BH : red rubber |
Posted By: lgxb
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 10:19am
| why not DHS 301 or Fang bo2? decent enough for even advanced level? both are less than $45. |
Posted By: ohwell
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 11:15am
Hey! I didn't suggest it's unrelated to the Korbel. As to the woods, what's your source - I'd be glad to know, I was using the following sites for reference, which might be wrong but are usually well informed: (TT Blades Database, you need to look for the blade - can't link to specific pages AFAIK) https://stervinou.net/ttbdb/index.php (Stoni Tenis RS) http://stonitenis.rs/equipmentreviews/blade/1854
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Posted By: king_pong
Date Posted: 10/04/2017 at 3:41pm
I would just get the Allround Evolution then. It is not billed as a WRB handle (though I suspect that Stiga mills out at least a small portion on all of their handles). I've had a hit with this blade side to side w/the Energy and I actually preferred the Allround Evolution -- it felt more stable and more predictable, while the Energy seemed to ramp up in speed rather quickly and less predictably (if that makes any sense). The Offensive Classic may or may not feel harder to you than the Energy/All. Evo. To me, the Off. Classics feel slightly softer (i.e. less crisp), when compared to the Energy & the All. Evo, as OC's flexible, soft spruce medial plies tend to hold onto the ball just a bit longer than the blue/red dried ayous layers in the Energy & AllEvo. The result is that the Energy & All Evo. are better looping blades, while the OC, which loops nicely, with great control, also excels at driving a nice low ball. (e.g. Energy & All Evo. are high throw blades, while Off. Classic is a medium throw blade. Just my experience with these blades. ------------- Stiga Infinity VPS (Master): fh/bh - Nittaku Hammond CR max |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 6:26am
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Thanks for the replies. It really is quite difficult to choose. I think I will rule out the carbon blades purely because I am not advanced enough and i suspect i will not like the harder feel. I have used th Primorac before for a hit and liked the feel but I am not a fan of Butterfly Handles, just too small. And thanks for some of the recommendations i should perhaps do some more research but at the mo it looks like Stiga OC, Donic Persson powerallround, Yasaka Extra 3D or Sweden extra. I think perhaps a zippy All+ might be better than an off-, i dont want to go too fast too soon as i want to learn to do all the work and strokes myself rather than let the blade do it. Anyone used the donic powerallround? And anyone know what the plies are for these blades? thanks
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Posted By: ohwell
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 11:10am
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About all vs off-: I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Keeping to 5 ply all wood in the 5 to 6ish mm range, and perhaps to classic limba outer + Ayous core compositions, it’s not likely to get too fast for your game to develop. Other blades besides those mentioned above you might want to consider, ruling out butterfly: -Stiga allround evolution; -Tibhar Stratus Powerwood; For the wood plies,look at these two websites: - http://stonitenis.rs/equipmentreviews - https://stervinou.net/ttbdb/index.php |
Posted By: king_pong
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 2:47pm
+1, on the Stiga Allround Evolution -- a very stable predictable blade, that has speed when you 'direct' it to happen. ------------- Stiga Infinity VPS (Master): fh/bh - Nittaku Hammond CR max |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 4:19pm
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Stiga allround evolution seems to be quite popular. Whats the difference between that one and the allround wood NCT? And thanks again for taking the time with the blade details and recommendations. V much appreciated. Its quite exciting buying a new blade. My friends sarcastically tell me i need to get out more but then they don't play,lol.
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Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 4:23pm
| Thanks. V useful sites. |
Posted By: ohwell
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 4:43pm
| NTC involves some composite that allegedly hardens the blade surface. YMMV but I’d stick to Limba outer like the Allround Evo, Tibhar SPW, Xiom off S, primorac, etc. |
Posted By: patrick1v
Date Posted: 10/05/2017 at 8:08pm
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i would definately reccomend the xiom Offensive S it has better feeling than the others mention in this post.also i dont think it is as fast or thicker than the korbel it is .1mm thinner you will find that you will gain speed without losing too much controll.and you can get 2 of these for price they are selling them for. |
Posted By: ohwell
Date Posted: 10/06/2017 at 7:29am
Yup, love that blade! :) |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/15/2017 at 1:17pm
| Ok. Think I have a decent amount to go on. The Xion offensive S looks like a good blade but possibly a little fast for me right now but def one to consider. Yasaka Extra 3D or, Sweden extra, stiga offensive classic or stiga allround classic carbon would seem to be the shortlist. I thought about the energy wood but i hate hollow handles. Thanks for all the help. |
Posted By: Fraziel66
Date Posted: 10/15/2017 at 4:59pm
| Samsonov premium contact also possibly one to consider and OSP virtuoso but its pricey. |
Posted By: Lightzy
Date Posted: 10/15/2017 at 10:16pm
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Try the Palio King Yue and fall inlove with it like i did. It's $20 on ali express. It's a soft 11 layer blade (4 layers of soft carbon) that weighs nothing (around 80g) , rated 9 in control and 7 in speed, which does some magic to whatever rubber you put on it. It seems to bring out the best from the rubber. Though admittedly i only used hard rubbers on it (mx-s, h3neo, battle 2). I swear it's a magic +3 blade of spinyness, giving you the "perfect placement" perk. The MX-S was a lot more spinny on it than on the Treiber-K for example, and the kind of spin you get with the tacky non-tensors is very very good for putting most balls on the table and usually with lots of spin. Note: has a slightly larger head, giving it more softness and spring, making it much better for hard rubbers. So get a couple of battle 2's while you're on ali and have yourself a ridiculous setup that costs altogether like 1 euro rubber - $10 under your budgetary constraints. |