SDC Handmade Blades

[SDC]

;-) Either that, or I need to improve my BH technique ;-) I mean, I can put a lot of power into FH, and my arm will not be tired. OK, the whole body will be, but not the arm... But BH - nope, the wrist can be tired, even shoulder... It must be technique issue... Cheers.

Then I would say you want the exact opposite, overall it can be a heavy blade, but it needs to be low balanced so it won't cause BH issues. Not to say that it won't work, but head heavy blades are harder to manage on the Bh, especially if you use heavy rubbers and keep a loose wrist.

Hello, excuse my English. I have a few questions. The Cibershape blade has weights that can be added to the handle. How does the blade's response change? On other blades, with the same blade weight, how does it respond if the handle is heavier? How does it respond if the head is heavier? In what case is the curve of the ball taller and shorter? And vice versa? Thank you.

The blade's response doesn't change, you are not doing anything to the composition itself to change its behavior. You are only changing the total mass, and the center of mass. Ok, in theory more mass gives you a little more power, but only if we consider the same acceleration. What changes is how you contact the ball (timing), and that may lead to different things depending on your stroke. Generally speaking, more head heavy blades tend to add more power because you are able to generate more momentum, but only on full strokes (aka chinese technique, power from the ground).

I wonder if anyone made blades with active weight shift system. For lack of my creativity I imagine someone puts a water capsule into the handle which is maybe 30% full, other 70% is air. So if you hold your racket upright the water flows to the bottom and you have a handle heavy blade, if you let your arm down(point your racket down) like for forehand loop, drive, topspin etc the water flows to the front making your blade balance shift towards the head.

I did have an idea like this, but using a weight inside the handle (for example a lead weight moving inside a tube), water wouldn't provide enough mass and it would move too slowly. It could be something interesting, if implemented properly, but I also think it would make more harm than good. If the weight moved in the middle of the swing, it could cause imbalances which would make it harder to control.

 

[SDC]

#1224 - 5 wood - DEF

Very unusual composition for this defensive blade. For the top ply, we have a very thin Sycamore Maple layer, the medial ply is a very thick White Fir layer, and finally the core, which is thinner than usual, made from Basswood. The goal was to create a very solid, but at the same time very dampening structure, that would support chopping further away from the table.

Available FS.

- Maple / White Fir / Basswood core
- 96.6g
- 5.6mm
- 165x156mm
- FL (100x23.9-22.7mm)
- Balance: 3.6cm (Med/High)

 

[SDC]

#1222 - Inner sC - OFF-

I like the WSC, it's a blade I've used a lot and many customers use it as a reference as well. I've made quite a few variations of it, and here's another one. This one is almost like the original, but I've replaced the Anigre medial layer with Douglas Fir. It does give a bit more oomph, and a more solid feeling, but of course that the construction method also plays a big part. This is where frequency comes in handy, the ones I've measured were usually below 1200Hz, while this one reads 1291Hz, so it is a bit stiffer/faster.

Available FS.

- Limba / Douglas Fir / Soft-Carbon / Ayous core
- 88.0g
- 5.9mm
- 157x150mm
- STSQ (100x28.3x22.5mm)
- Balance: 3.5cm (Med)

 

[latej]

Then I would say you want the exact opposite, overall it can be a heavy blade, but it needs to be low balanced so it won't cause BH issues. Not to say that it won't work, but head heavy blades are harder to manage on the Bh, especially if you use heavy rubbers and keep a loose wrist.

Thanks Sergio, so maybe stay with the current shape and just make it more low balanced.

 

[Tyce]

Thanks Sergio, so maybe stay with the current shape and just make it more low balanced.

Heavy hardwood for the handle, beautiful

 

[SDC]

#1225 - 7 ply - ALL+

Most people that 7 ply blades are stiffer than 5 ply blades, that is only the case because 7 ply blades are usually thicker. If you take a 5 ply, split the core in 3 and rotate the center layer, you lose longitudinal stiffness! Wood grain runs in only one direction, so if you rotate one layer, you lose stiffness in that direction but gain stiffness in the transversal direction, aka sweetspot. Such is the case with this blade. So what is the consequence of doing this? Well, in general terms the blade becomes less bouncy, but also more stable, this translates to a more linear response, usually for players who are very aggressive and like creating their own power.

Available FS.

- Indian Teak / Ayous / 3x White Fir
- 90.6g
- 5.85mm
- 157x150mm
- FL (100x24.7-22.7mm)
- Balance: 3.0cm (Med)

 

[Tyce]

#1225 - 7 ply - ALL+

Most people that 7 ply blades are stiffer than 5 ply blades, that is only the case because 7 ply blades are usually thicker. If you take a 5 ply, split the core in 3 and rotate the center layer, you lose longitudinal stiffness! Wood grain runs in only one direction, so if you rotate one layer, you lose stiffness in that direction but gain stiffness in the transversal direction, aka sweetspot. Such is the case with this blade. So what is the consequence of doing this? Well, in general terms the blade becomes less bouncy, but also more stable, this translates to a more linear response, usually for players who are very aggressive and like creating their own power.

Available FS.

- Indian Teak / Ayous / 3x White Fir
- 90.6g
- 5.85mm
- 157x150mm
- FL (100x24.7-22.7mm)
- Balance: 3.0cm (Med)

But does it increase the sweet spot? Because I'd think you're adding lateral stability here, which I think would make the area where you can get effective contact wider.

 

[SDC]

But does it increase the sweet spot? Because I'd think you're adding lateral stability here, which I think would make the area where you can get effective contact wider.

Sweetspot is the area of a blade face where the mechanical properties are optimal (least energy loss). It's affected by the composition and shape, although the shape of the blade affects more the shape and location of the sweetspot, rather than its size. The composition also affects both, but it's more responsible for its size. You are adding lateral stability, yes, but by doing this you are making the structure more homogeneous in all directions, which enlarges the sweetspot. This is why fibers are so good for enlarging the sweetspot, because they are usually Isotropic (or almost), not Orthotropic like wood. Meaning that fibers usually have very similar mechanical properties in all directions, not always true if the fabric has distinct fibers in each direction, but still better than wood that basically only has it in the major direction.

 

[SDC]

#1231 - 5ply - ALL+

What looks like Wenge but isn't? Fineline. Although this blades does have a relatively thick Wenge medial layers, which weigh even more than the core. It's an old school kind of blade, back when rubbers were light and weigh wasn't such a concern. But I did have this concern,that's why it has a compact head size, and even though it's a bit above 90g, it's nicely balanced. In terms of performance, because I've kept it thin, it should be somewhere in the All+ range, but feels solid and packs a punch due to the dense Wenge medial layers.

Available FS.

- Fineline / Wenge / Ayous core
- 93.8g
- 5.3mm
- 153x147mm
- AN (100x25-22.7mm)
- Balance: 2.7cm (Low)

 

[SDC]

#1235 - Outer Innegra - ALL+/OFF-

It's been a while since I've used plain Innegra fabric. It's a fun little blade to play with, soft, user friendly, relatively light... It's not very fast but feels elastic, however not bouncy like some all wood blades, feels quite linear without unpleasant vibrations. I admit I was a bit lazy designing the logo, but it shouldn't even be there in the first place, I only put it because I messed the alignment on my usual wooden logo 😅.

Available FS.

- Limba / Innegra / Ayous / Kiri core
- 85.5g
- 6.1mm
- 157x150mm
- STSQ (100x28.6x22.3mm)
- Balance: 3.2cm (Med)

 

[SDC]

#1233_34 - 5ply asymmetric- ALL+

These two look like they are about to drop the hottest mixtape of 2025 😅. A pair of classic looking asymmetric blades, made with hide glue. Soft, not too fast, but with a distinct difference between sides even with just a ball bounce. The Bh side uses much harder woods than the Fh, so you can feel it's crisper and more direct, while the Fh feels softer more dwelly and allows for a longer stroke. I'm looking to sell the pair, but if you are interested in just one please leave me a message, if they don't get sold in a few days, I will consider selling them separately.

- Limba / Ayous / Ayous / Koto / Afrormosia
- 90.8 and 91g
- 5.75mm
- 155x144mm
- FL (100x24.8-23.2mm)
- Balance: 2.7cm (Low)

 

[StreamOfWater]

#1233_34 - 5ply asymmetric- ALL+

These two look like they are about to drop the hottest mixtape of 2025 😅. A pair of classic looking asymmetric blades, made with hide glue. Soft, not too fast, but with a distinct difference between sides even with just a ball bounce. The Bh side uses much harder woods than the Fh, so you can feel it's crisper and more direct, while the Fh feels softer more dwelly and allows for a longer stroke. I'm looking to sell the pair, but if you are interested in just one please leave me a message, if they don't get sold in a few days, I will consider selling them separately.

- Limba / Ayous / Ayous / Koto / Afrormosia
- 90.8 and 91g
- 5.75mm
- 155x144mm
- FL (100x24.8-23.2mm)
- Balance: 2.7cm (Low)

Beautifully made blades. Not sure if someone already asked, however, do you make penhold blades?

 

[SDC]

Beautifully made blades. Not sure if someone already asked, however, do you make penhold blades?

Thank you. Yes, of course 🙂

 

[SDC]

#1210 - Inner S-AxC - OFF

Not a bad looking blade if you ask me... Kinda like if Anders and Harimoto had a baby. The blades, I mean 😅

Available FS.

- Limba / Ayous / S-AxC / Kiri core
- 89.6g
- 6.2mm
- 158x152mm
- ST (100x23.2x28.8mm)
- Balance: 2.7cm (Low)

 

[SDC]

#1237 - 5 ply asymmetric - ALL+/OFF-

Another asymmetric composition, but this time the sides are not so distant. Made this one with a more Fh oriented playstyle in mind, so it's flexible, slightly head heavy and it will suit longer strokes. May work well with a hard chinese or hybrid on the Fh side, and a softer more spingy rubber on the Bh.

Available FS.

- Limba / Limba / Ayous / Spruce / Koto
- 90.5g
- 5.6mm
- 158x152mm
- FL (100x25.0-22.5mm)
- Balance: 3.1cm (Med)

 

[StreamOfWater]

#1237 - 5 ply asymmetric - ALL+/OFF-

Another asymmetric composition, but this time the sides are not so distant. Made this one with a more Fh oriented playstyle in mind, so it's flexible, slightly head heavy and it will suit longer strokes. May work well with a hard chinese or hybrid on the Fh side, and a softer more spingy rubber on the Bh.

Available FS.

- Limba / Limba / Ayous / Spruce / Koto
- 90.5g
- 5.6mm
- 158x152mm
- FL (100x25.0-22.5mm)
- Balance: 3.1cm (Med)

Another beautifully made blade - I have yet another question - I noticed that most, a very great portion, of your blades are honestly really heavy, one of the heaviest you can find, I'd dare to say. Is there a reason for that or...? Pairing them with heavy rubbers, Chinese let's say, would obviously create incredibly heavy setups which is not preferable or recommend for most people, I believe

 

[SDC]

Another beautifully made blade - I have yet another question - I noticed that most, a very great portion, of your blades are honestly really heavy, one of the heaviest you can find, I'd dare to say. Is there a reason for that or...? Pairing them with heavy rubbers, Chinese let's say, would obviously create incredibly heavy setups which is not preferable or recommend for most people, I believe

I thought of some ways of replying and they all sound a bit arrogant, but believe me, it's not my intention at all.

Ok, I truly doubt you went trough the 1237 blades I have made up until now, and analysed their weight to reach that conclusion. I mostly build custom blades, these blades I have been posting are not custom orders, so I would say that in the case of custom orders, they are all exactly the weight they need to be, because I always stick to the customer's requirements. For non-custom orders, there is another aspect as (or even more) important than weight, which is the balance of the blades. If you don't know what that is, you can read about it here: https://www.sdcttblades.com/nerdy-stuff/weight-vs-balance . We are all different, you can ask 100 people and they will all have different notions of what is light and what is heavy. So, with these blades, I like to diversify a bit. I make heavy and head heavy blades, light and low balanced, and everything in between.

 

[StreamOfWater]

I thought of some ways of replying and they all sound a bit arrogant, but believe me, it's not my intention at all.

Ok, I truly doubt you went trough the 1237 blades I have made up until now, and analysed their weight to reach that conclusion. I mostly build custom blades, these blades I have been posting are not custom orders, so I would say that in the case of custom orders, they are all exactly the weight they need to be, because I always stick to the customer's requirements. For non-custom orders, there is another aspect as (or even more) important than weight, which is the balance of the blades. If you don't know what that is, you can read about it here: https://www.sdcttblades.com/nerdy-stuff/weight-vs-balance . We are all different, you can ask 100 people and they will all have different notions of what is light and what is heavy. So, with these blades, I like to diversify a bit. I make heavy and head heavy blades, light and low balanced, and everything in between.

I didn't want to come off as arrogant nor did I sense any arrogance from you, thank you very much. To clarify, I wasn't really going anywhere with the question, I was simply curious. Yes, I certainly didn't go through all of your catalogue, was simply making an assumption from some short scrolling here. Thank you for the explanation 😁

 

[SDC]

I didn't want to come off as arrogant nor did I sense any arrogance from you, thank you very much. To clarify, I wasn't really going anywhere with the question, I was simply curious. Yes, I certainly didn't go through all of your catalogue, was simply making an assumption from some short scrolling here. Thank you for the explanation 😁

I didn't think you were arrogant too, but I thought my words could be mistaken as such, so I gave the heads up.

But if you had phrased it a little different, my response would be different too. If you said something like: "these last few blades you posted are on the heavy side...". Then I would say: that is true, especially the ones with Ayous cores. I still have many dense Ayous boards, in fact they are too dense to be used in a inner fiber blade for example, because it makes the whole composition too heavy, so I have been using them in all wood blades or situations where I can keep the weight/balance reasonable.

 

[StreamOfWater]

I didn't think you were arrogant too, but I thought my words could be mistaken as such, so I gave the heads up.

But if you had phrased it a little different, my response would be different too. If you said something like: "these last few blades you posted are on the heavy side...". Then I would say: that is true, especially the ones with Ayous cores. I still have many dense Ayous boards, in fact they are too dense to be used in a inner fiber blade for example, because it makes the whole composition too heavy, so I have been using them in all wood blades or situations where I can keep the weight/balance reasonable.

I see, that's interesting. Thank you for explanations, and satisfying my curiosity, of course 🙂

I am definitely no blade maker, so thank you once again. Keep up the great craftsmanship!