Crisp Blade = more active game??

[amoc]

Hello,


I'm just curios if anyone here has the same problem: if I play with a crispy feeling setup, my game tends to more active and offensive.


Normally, I play with H301 blade and with this blade, I try to play winners.


Last days, I tried a HL5 (same rubbers as on my 301) which has a slightly softer feel and is not as stiff. With the HL5 the control increased a bit and the topspins from mid-distance have more consistency. Everything as expected.
But in the tournament games, I tend to be more passive with the HL5. I tried to build up a control based game. Which was a bad idea because it does not fit my best skills.


Is this a normal behavior? Anyone else had the same experience?


Cheers,
Andi

 

[Fan Xu Long J.K Dima]

Yes!

first I had Nittaku Rutis Power (Stiff) and switch to Stiga Eternity VPS (flexible). My initial impression was that I had more control however after 4 months I concluded a few things:

1. With a flexible blade was easier to loop from Mid distance because of the higher throw and brush the ball, thus the sensation of more control and safety.
2. It was difficult (at least for me) to keep the ball short using passive strokes.
3. I was used to play with the stiff blade, the low throw arc in service returns and blocks and the precision during attacts.
4. I was trying to use the same technique with the flexible blade, as a result I had less control because it was like having a springe in my hand when playing close to the table, to compensate that scenario I ended up reducing the strength and kind of loosing confidence. I was applying with the wrong technique for the set up I had.

 

[ML fan]

Yes!

first I had Nittaku Rutis Power (Stiff) and switch to Stiga Eternity VPS (flexible). My initial impression was that I had more control however after 4 months I concluded a few things:

1. With a flexible blade was easier to loop from Mid distance because of the higher throw and brush the ball, thus the sensation of more control and safety.
2. It was difficult (at least for me) to keep the ball short using passive strokes.
3. I was used to play with the stiff blade, the low throw arc in service returns and blocks and the precision during attacts.
4. I was trying to use the same technique with the flexible blade, as a result I had less control because it was like having a springe in my hand when playing close to the table, to compensate that scenario I ended up reducing the strength and kind of loosing confidence. I was applying with the wrong technique for the set up I had.

I am also wondering on what blade to use. Using Viscaria,.I like crisp feel. But control on short games is not good for me.
Wanting to use hurricane long 5 but afraid it will be too soft.

 

[TT Lover]

I am also wondering on what blade to use. Using Viscaria,.I like crisp feel. But control on short games is not good for me.
Wanting to use hurricane long 5 but afraid it will be too soft.

I'm like crisp feeling blade, and love to using my Viscaria (Code N Silver tag).

 

[BlotOnPaper]

I am also wondering on what blade to use. Using Viscaria,.I like crisp feel. But control on short games is not good for me.
Wanting to use hurricane long 5 but afraid it will be too soft.

Then try something in between - H301. It has hard koto top play as viscaria, but is inner composite and in general playes more like Long than Visc. Also H301 is great quality for the money, but lacquering is a must, really brittle top ply.

 

[ML fan]

Then try something in between - H301. It has hard koto top play as viscaria, but is inner composite and in general playes more like Long than Visc. Also H301 is great quality for the money, but lacquering is a must, really brittle top ply.

How does it compare to w968 prov? As what some says that it is like vis too

 

[lodro]

Crisp Blade = more active game??
Yes, maybe, or maybe not.
I think it could also be a matter of the head-space. On a good day when one feels all bouncy and strong and ready to fight , the crisp blade will definitely help one attack and destroy the opposition. The same blade on a day when one feels a bit tired and sluggish this kind of blade might bring nothing but trouble .

 

[dingyibvs]

Hello,


I'm just curios if anyone here has the same problem: if I play with a crispy feeling setup, my game tends to more active and offensive.


Normally, I play with H301 blade and with this blade, I try to play winners.


Last days, I tried a HL5 (same rubbers as on my 301) which has a slightly softer feel and is not as stiff. With the HL5 the control increased a bit and the topspins from mid-distance have more consistency. Everything as expected.
But in the tournament games, I tend to be more passive with the HL5. I tried to build up a control based game. Which was a bad idea because it does not fit my best skills.


Is this a normal behavior? Anyone else had the same experience?


Cheers,
Andi

HL5 is a good blade for low level and high level players, but not so great for intermediate level players. At the lower end (but not total beginner) it's very controllable, great dwell, not very bouncy. At the higher end it's got a powerful catapult effect, great arc allowing for a pretty direct hit and still gives you a good arc to land on the table.

For medium level it's a very tricky blade to use. You're not good enough to make powerful swings all the time, so you're not making the best use of the blade's offensive qualities. But then on defense sometimes the opponent shots are powerful enough to activate your blade, sometimes they're not, and it's hard to deal with the inconsistency.

 

[allencorn]

Crisp Blade = more active game??
Yes, maybe, or maybe not.
I think it could also be a matter of the head-space. On a good day when one feels all bouncy and strong and ready to fight , the crisp blade will definitely help one attack and destroy the opposition. The same blade on a day when one feels a bit tired and sluggish this kind of blade might bring nothing but trouble .

I agree with this wholeheartedly. when the crisp blade is on it is great, when it is off, I want to go back to flexible. However, the flexible/control blade means your opponent may have more opportunities. I sometimes wish you could could switch blades mid-match depending how things are going.