Hi all,
This is my review of the kenta blade, i hope this shall answers some of your questions and concerns.
Kenta Blade
Weight: 92gr
FH rubber: Hurricane 3, 39 Degree
BH rubber: Ten 05 fx
Total weight: 190 gr
Benchmark against
Viscaria (old tag)
Weight: 91gr
FH Rubber: Hurricane 3, 39 Degree
BH rubber: Ten 05 fx
Total Weight: 191 gr
The build:
- The blade outer layers are very nice, aged woods, i was told they were Ayous. The rest is almost similar with the Vis.
- The handle is very tiny, feels hollow in your hand. Looks very nice indeed.
The play:
- Forehand counter hits: Extremely fast (30% faster than the Viscaria), and super low arc. Balls constantly hit top of the net for counter hitting. I had to adjust my technique to keep the ball stable.
- Forehand loops against top spin: Extremely easy, super low arc. No matter how much spin you get, you will be able to add more to it in return. For mid, and far table counter loops, this blade clearly is a winner compared to Vis, even HL3, or Clipper CR.
- Forehand loops against back spin: very easy. You can brush with ease, and the ball already on the other side of the table. However, it's difficult to produce high spinny balls due to its low arc. This blade is best for loop killing the back spin ball. Placement is very easy as well.
- Forehand block: Amazing control and placement regardless of incoming top spin level.
- Forehand short touch/push: low arc, extremely good control even with this fast blade. pretty amazing.
Forehand conclusion: Off++ (IMHO), low dwell time, shaky (vibrates alot, maybe due to the handle construction), i do not get enough feedback from the blade. I used to loop with my wrist loose for a whip lash effect, with this blade, i have to lock in my wrist to get stable shots. It's more suitable for FH looper. This blade is best for near, mid, and far table counter loops. Especially, you can easily loop the ball under the table, where you can hide your ball contact (this is the best feature i've experience so far). It allows me to do incredible shots with various spin. Cons: in regards to spin, i would categorize this blade as "Spin returner", while the Vis is more of "Spin negator and producer" (you eliminate the incoming spin, and generate your own spin). This blade gives me a feeling of uncertainty in regards to spin, which i dislike. Also, when you smash, the ball wobble!
- Backhand counter hits: too fast, lack of control, you feel like there is no dwell time at all.
- Backhand topspin: with ease, spinny, but you don't know exactly where the ball's gonna land.
- Backhand on table opening: Crazy spin when you get the ball on the other side, fast, low arc & super spinny, however, it's not consistent. And you can't do slow opening shots.
- Backhand loop vs. back spin: super easy, fast and low arc, but once again, lack of control.
- Backhand blocking: Perfect! regardless of spin, you can always put the ball on the other side with very low arc.
BH Conclusion: Off++, hard to control, perfect for blocking. Backhand opening with lots of spin and speed, but once again, not much control.
Conclusion:
Spin: Kenta > Vis
Speed: Kenta > Vis
Touch: Kenta < Vis
Control: Kenta < Vis
Recommendation:
Suitable for 1 wing looper, back hand blocker. Would not recommend for players who do not have basic strokes down. It doens't suit for explosiveness type of play. Maybe, it works with European players.
IMHO, if you want to play this blade, change the handle.
Cheers.
This is my review of the kenta blade, i hope this shall answers some of your questions and concerns.
Kenta Blade
Weight: 92gr
FH rubber: Hurricane 3, 39 Degree
BH rubber: Ten 05 fx
Total weight: 190 gr
Benchmark against
Viscaria (old tag)
Weight: 91gr
FH Rubber: Hurricane 3, 39 Degree
BH rubber: Ten 05 fx
Total Weight: 191 gr
The build:
- The blade outer layers are very nice, aged woods, i was told they were Ayous. The rest is almost similar with the Vis.
- The handle is very tiny, feels hollow in your hand. Looks very nice indeed.
The play:
- Forehand counter hits: Extremely fast (30% faster than the Viscaria), and super low arc. Balls constantly hit top of the net for counter hitting. I had to adjust my technique to keep the ball stable.
- Forehand loops against top spin: Extremely easy, super low arc. No matter how much spin you get, you will be able to add more to it in return. For mid, and far table counter loops, this blade clearly is a winner compared to Vis, even HL3, or Clipper CR.
- Forehand loops against back spin: very easy. You can brush with ease, and the ball already on the other side of the table. However, it's difficult to produce high spinny balls due to its low arc. This blade is best for loop killing the back spin ball. Placement is very easy as well.
- Forehand block: Amazing control and placement regardless of incoming top spin level.
- Forehand short touch/push: low arc, extremely good control even with this fast blade. pretty amazing.
Forehand conclusion: Off++ (IMHO), low dwell time, shaky (vibrates alot, maybe due to the handle construction), i do not get enough feedback from the blade. I used to loop with my wrist loose for a whip lash effect, with this blade, i have to lock in my wrist to get stable shots. It's more suitable for FH looper. This blade is best for near, mid, and far table counter loops. Especially, you can easily loop the ball under the table, where you can hide your ball contact (this is the best feature i've experience so far). It allows me to do incredible shots with various spin. Cons: in regards to spin, i would categorize this blade as "Spin returner", while the Vis is more of "Spin negator and producer" (you eliminate the incoming spin, and generate your own spin). This blade gives me a feeling of uncertainty in regards to spin, which i dislike. Also, when you smash, the ball wobble!
- Backhand counter hits: too fast, lack of control, you feel like there is no dwell time at all.
- Backhand topspin: with ease, spinny, but you don't know exactly where the ball's gonna land.
- Backhand on table opening: Crazy spin when you get the ball on the other side, fast, low arc & super spinny, however, it's not consistent. And you can't do slow opening shots.
- Backhand loop vs. back spin: super easy, fast and low arc, but once again, lack of control.
- Backhand blocking: Perfect! regardless of spin, you can always put the ball on the other side with very low arc.
BH Conclusion: Off++, hard to control, perfect for blocking. Backhand opening with lots of spin and speed, but once again, not much control.
Conclusion:
Spin: Kenta > Vis
Speed: Kenta > Vis
Touch: Kenta < Vis
Control: Kenta < Vis
Recommendation:
Suitable for 1 wing looper, back hand blocker. Would not recommend for players who do not have basic strokes down. It doens't suit for explosiveness type of play. Maybe, it works with European players.
IMHO, if you want to play this blade, change the handle.
Cheers.
