TBS v Petr Korbel

Have you try to play with either one?  I own TBS, and play borrow Korbel some times.  I don't think they are much different in term of speed, the feel though is different as Korbel is all wood, and TBS is not.  If you are trying to learn the stroke, then maybe the korbel is better for you, otherwise I would suggest the TBS.  The TBS with the Sriver, or Mark V is actually very easy to play, specially blocking (which I think most intermediate player play).

AFAIK
Some of the best players in the US *still* choose the Korbel.

The idea of "outgrowing" it is ludicrous, unless you plan to spend the next 5 years in a Chinese Table Tennis School training 8-10 hours a day.

Heck, the majority of players who have ever played in USATT tournaments (more than 20,000 of the 40,000) never even outgrew a Primorac, much less the faster, less forgiving and more demanding Korbel.

icontek wrote: AFAIK Some of the best players in the US *still* choose the Korbel.The idea of "outgrowing" it is ludicrous, unless you plan to spend the next 5 years in a Chinese Table Tennis School training 8-10 hours a day.Heck, the majority of players who have ever played in USATT tournaments (more than 20,000 of the 40,000) never even outgrew a Primorac, much less the faster, less forgiving and more demanding Korbel.

So, in your opinion, I might not even want a Korbel?

There are loads of blade choices out there.

There are also loads of players with varying work ethics, abilities, and quality of training.

Some devoted players get put in a primorac and sriver EL by their coach, make it to 1100 in three months and outgrow the blade when they hit 1800 a year later.

Other players with less guidance and poorer drilling habits decide that the reason they can't hit through their opponents is because of their equipment (rather than footwork or positioning).

I strongly believe that when making a blade choice, it should be for the "long haul" and the capabilities of the blade (it's strengths and weaknesses) should fall in line with the amount of work and the quality of training in which one engages. The lower the quality of training, the more controlled the blade.

What I'm suggesting is that people take a more sensible approach to blade selection. One that is in line with their training regimen. The more focused the training (quality and frequency and duration) the more you will have the touch to control a faster blade.

I would argue that if you are new to the sport say a year or two in, and/or have less than ideal training habits (meaning you play more games than drills, and meaning that you have primarily uncoached development, and that your access to the game is limited to a day or two a week) that faster blades are likely to stunt development (stroke wise, because you can just use your arm instead of your legs and core muscles) and that slower blades are more likely to teach you to work to generate power while at the same time allowing a margin of error and slower (useful) gears that just aren't there in OFF and OFF+ blades...

Let me reiterate:
If you can beat US1000-1200 players consistently, it doesn't imply that you should be using an OFF blade. It simply means that you exploited some of the glaring holes in the game of a person at that level.

And of course, my trademark
"anecdotal evidence"

For example - back in 2005 a US2000 father/coach put his two boys (8 and 10 respectively) in pair of Waldner Dicons, IIRC

http://www.usatt.org/history/rating/history/allplayerslist.asp?ratings_selection=Last+Name&choose_ratings_by=bockoven&submit=Go!

That's an OFF- / OFF blade. I'm pretty sure it's slower than the Korbel or TBS.

Even with a coach and decent quality training, it took these young boys two years or more to break US1000. However, after 5 years of US2000 level coaching, practice and training the older boy rivals the father in the high 1900's and the younger is approaching 1800.

Now you could argue that they might have progressed faster with better natural ability, training or work ethic, but it would be silly to assume that they somehow would have progressed faster with faster equipment.

The point is, that they had to put in the hard work with the OFF gear to get to the level they were at. Personally I think it paid off. But ask yourself how hard you are willing to work before making a blade selection.

Faster blades = high maintainence girlfriends.
They look better, impress more people, but require that you diet, exercise, get body waxes and pedicures, etc. etc.

Just more demanding to control.

Well I definitely won't have consistent coaching, but I do plan on sticking with the sport. I honestly haven't the slightest on what I'd enjoy the most, so I'm still not sure what to get exactly.

Seems like a Korbel would fit really well then. I might just end up with that then, seeing as it's so well rounded.

Well I just checked and a Korbel with Mark V would run be about $35 less as well, so that seems like a solid choice.

While I think the Korbel is a more sensible choice than the TBS, I still believe that it requires a solid work ethic to truly control.

And for under approx US1800 play, the extra speed offered by the Korbel over something like a Primorac won't be terribly valuable.

Here's a quick match between two players who were both rated around US1500 at the time of the match:

Answer this question honestly:

Which of these players is controlled by his equipment?

Not surprisingly, the player with better control hit the high 1700s just a few weeks later, beating loads of other 1700+ players. He did this in Texas, the 3rd coast - a hotbed of TT play. And he didn't get there because he picked fast gear, he got there because he has an incredibly agile mind, an amazing work ethic and very good practice habits. He got there because he got in position and the ball on the table. He is an inspiration to me, because his progress in the sport is faster than most juniors, and he is easily 5x their age.

And unlike me, not only can he talk the talk, but he also walks the walk.

With the right rubber, both blades can be controllable for the average player.

There are other things to consider, tho... Korbel has a large head size, so it will be head heavy, especially the ST handle. Although they are both similar in terms of top speed and distance you can make the ball go, TBS has a faster/crisper rebound so its better for blocking, and IMO more stable for pushing and serve returns, and better for serving, etc. Korbel will probably have more control on the first loop off backspin and its more consistent with all types of looping. But looping is only a small fraction of a game.

I would go with the TBS. Its has good control with the right rubbers, and there's more you can do with it. Korbel is too soft on some shots like blocking/counter driving IMO, and its too head heavy.

TBS has better resale value if you don't end up liking it.

The gent in yellow got his ratings in tournaments in Austin and Fort Worth (Texas Wesleyan ).  At Texas Wesleyan he beat a 1500 ish Austin Elston and an 1800 ish Merideth Elston.  Feel free to check out his ratings history at USATT ratings site for some of the other results.

think of it this way... if u get the tbs make sure u put some slow rubbers on it, nothing faster than sriver and stick with the blade for a very long time..

I suggest you go with the Petr Korbel, with 2.1mm Sriver EL.

It's a well matched set up, that will enable you to develop your game.

Icontek has a valid point about a slower blade for you to learn your game with , although I wouldn't suggest the Primorac.

My suggestions would be the Samsonov Alpha or Yasaka Extra.

mjamja wrote: The gent in yellow got his ratings in tournaments in Austin and Fort Worth (Texas Wesleyan ).  At Texas Wesleyan he beat a 1500 ish Austin Elston and an 1800 ish Merideth Elston.  Feel free to check out his ratings history at USATT ratings site for some of the other results.   Since he has only been playing a little over a year and only has played in 2 sanctioned tournaments the current rating may be a little suspect.  However, I think he stands a pretty good chance against most 1300 players.  Of course there are styles that exploit the holes in his game so you never know for sure.   Mark - The gent in yellow

 

btw, I like the Avalox B555 and the Yasaka Mark V Special Edition better than the Petr Korbel, as far as well-rounded Limba 5-plys go. Maybe look into those if the Korbel doesn't work out. 

And of course the Nittaku Acoustic is the best Limba 5ply I've tried, but its in a totally different price category.

Avalox BT555 is as good as Korbel, but with catapult effect.  Korbel is more linear.  So, if you like a more dynamic blade, then BT555 is better than Korbel.  If you like "what you give is what you get" kind of strokes, then Korbel is better.

If you want something similar to BT555 but with less catapult effect, then P500 is an outstanding blade, a classic !!!

At this rate, you should have a blade picked out by the next TT World Championship. 

I'm telling you, don't over think it. Get a Korbel. You'll be fine, I promise. 

Table tennis is a technical sport, but I've come to realize that over-intellectualizing it is as detrimental to progress as gear that's obscenely too fast... which the Korbel most certainly is not.

Korbel with Sriver EL or Mark V and be done with it. It's an inexpensive blade, and a benchmark. Fear not.