Jpen why take back handle cork off

[ChinaMonDon]

Hello guys I have a question why do some jpen players take off the back handle cork off/ (not the cork sheet but the handle) is there benefits or a reason as to why players do that? I believe Ryu Seung Min does that from what I heard but never understood why they do that please help me out in understanding this phenomenon

 

[xavi]

Let me try to revive this thread. I have also heard that kim taek soo does the same. I never tried it. Can someone elaborate?

 

[olive-nguyen]

As a jpenholder, i dont do this, but my father did this to his old senkoh 1 jpen blade, saying that it was to change the Center of mass to be closer to the head of the blade, giving fore power on forehand power transfer. However, he said the initial difference in balance is something to note of, and changing from forehand to backhand is slightly more straining on the wrist.

 

[netdriver]

i was one of those few players that removed the cork

was there any noticeable benefits? aside from the grip being more comfortable bc the blade felt less thick to hold...... not rly

cork is very light so removing it dont change the balance of the blade

 

[Lazer]

I should say I don't really play penhold, but I have experimented with it. I sand the cork to fit my grip better.

Chees
L-zr

 

[PenHoldSandro]

As a jpenholder, i dont do this, but my father did this to his old senkoh 1 jpen blade, saying that it was to change the Center of mass to be closer to the head of the blade, giving fore power on forehand power transfer. However, he said the initial difference in balance is something to note of, and changing from forehand to backhand is slightly more straining on the wrist.

That's something new tbh thx for the info

But I don't think the change in weight is as big as it seems

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Hello guys I have a question why do some jpen players take off the back handle cork off/ (not the cork sheet but the handle) is there benefits or a reason as to why players do that? I believe Ryu Seung Min does that from what I heard but never understood why they do that please help me out in understanding this phenomenon

My why is gonna be different to your why; every little bit of table tennis equipment is preference. For strokes there's a few more rules but same thing there.

Table Tennis is a sport full of creativity, do what fits you and it'll work! If you think cutting off the cork can help with balance, do it! Cut it for comfort? Yesserie!!!

 

[kase]

The cork at the back of the handle has a curved indent in it that is meant to cradle the hand, keeping the hand in the same place when gripping the blade.

However when playing JPEN, you will want to change the grip / hand position depending on whether you are doing a BH 'shoto' or a FH.

The FH grip is meant to be more loose, with the blade extending a bit further out from the hand to provide maximum power for offence. The fingers at the back of the blade are extended straight with the fingertips in contact with the back of the blade to help with power.

The BH grip is meant to be a tight grip with the blade being retracted into the palm as much as possible, the fingertips not contacting the blade - the sides of the fingers and knuckles contact the blade instead to provide maximum stability for defence.

 

[der Stift]

Cork might obscure "ball feel" for single side penholders.

This penhold world champion has a crevasse at the back of blade (single side),
whom wants his fingers as close to the blade as possible.

 

[xavi]

With the cork in the back of the handle, it seems the fingers on the back go from some high to the the contact with the tips. Without the cork in the back of the handle, it seems this inclination is lower.
On these two videos you also can see he has something on the back of the fingers to have the opposite inclination:

Yoo Nam Kyu cutting the back of the handle. He says need to cut it to not shake.

Here this guy cuts the cork in the back of the handle at 5:54 - 9 Just before he says is to have better grip

Here does the same at 2:30 - 6

Here at 8:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lik24KlmBJU

This guy also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i1Etc_0v5s

This video is very useful on handling the racket. It seems that cork is also removed, but not sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opf_gn90FhI

 

[olive-nguyen]

Ohhh! I thought that this thread was mentioning on taking off the cork on the base of the bat handle, which is what i meant. My father sliced off a bit of the cork block on the end of the handle, along with the metal butterfly logo, hence it reduces quite an amount of weight,

 

[xavi]

Today I tried it. I have not removed all the handle below cork, I just sanded 1/3 of the cork on the area where I press with the hand. I already had the cork a bit sanded since I bought this blade, but that cork was very black because I'm sure I have put lot of pressure there during the years.

Now that I sanded this 1/3, I feel a big change. Of course, as every time you sand a bit the racket, first you feel like the racket is going to fly away from your hands, and then you learn how to handle it better and you play better.

I feel like: "I'm more inside the racket". More direct contact, more maneuverability. Maybe a bit of wrist pain on change, not sure because with the motivation I played a lot more (and harder). In my case, for some reason I use to position the third finger incorrectly: instead of having the third finger on the center or a bit to the right, I put always to the left (at 11'o clock) loosing stability and making me use mainly the 4rth and also a bit the 5th finger sometimes. Now having sanded a bit on the bottom of the handle, it seems more easy to me to put the third finger at the correct place and contact seems better with 3rd and 4rth at place.

So in my case maybe it helps to grip better specially on the forehand, and I think that also for the backhand but need to test it more.

I will sand more in a couple of weeks, as the change is big.

 

[xavi]

Replying to myself and (I think) closing this debate, found this excellent video from Moriya Tsubasa:

He starts cutting the back of the handle at 1:14. He says he highly recommends it. You can see how he points out that the grip is better.

In the comments (in English) he replies to this question: "What is the reason to remove the back support of the handle?"

With: "This is to make the space between the thumb and index finger clearer."

So, jpens out there... just cut it immediately or do like myself and sand it down each week to have it removed completely in 1-2 months.

Thanks for all your comments.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Replying to myself and (I think) closing this debate, found this excellent video from Moriya Tsubasa:

He starts cutting the back of the handle at 1:14. He says he highly recommends it. You can see how he points out that the grip is better.

In the comments (in English) he replies to this question: "What is the reason to remove the back support of the handle?"

With: "This is to make the space between the thumb and index finger clearer."

So, jpens out there... just cut it immediately or do like myself and sand it down each week to have it removed completely in 1-2 months.

Thanks for all your comments.

Interesting, maybe I'll do this when I get a Jpen blade

I still think it's mostly preference, because why would the manufacturers do this if it actively makes the racket worse? So for me, the only thing that matters is you.

 

[xavi]

I still think it's mostly preference, because why would the manufacturers do this if it actively makes the racket worse? So for me, the only thing that matters is you.

Hi Sandro, the 8 models of Xiom come without the back part. So this makes me think that on Korea this is pretty standard:

XIOM.TT

© XIOM.TT All rights reserved.

m.xiom.global

And Armstrong has Kase grip:

ラケット商品一覧｜卓球ラバー・ラケットの総合メーカー【アームストロング】(公式)

armstrong.tokyo.jp

ARMSTRONG - APEX 21 SPECIAL KASE - Table Tennis Blade

Weight of the blades currently in our store: Semi-Round: --- Square: 1x 90g (To request one of the specific blades in stock, please contact us right after placing the order) Authentic and brand new ARMSTRONG table tennis blade Official and approved by the JTTA MADE IN JAPAN

www.nishohi.com

I think almost all jpen rackets come with this because it is so easy to remove. So it is easy to satisfy everyone.

As I have not removed it completely, I am not sure about what I am going to say. But in my opinion: In all videos where I see on backhand how the blade is attached to finger 1 (thumb) and 2 (index) with almost no gap... and then they change easily and without too much pressure to forehand... I think this is only possible with the back part of the handle removed.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

And Armstrong has Kase grip:

ラケット商品一覧｜卓球ラバー・ラケットの総合メーカー【アームストロング】(公式)

armstrong.tokyo.jp

ARMSTRONG - APEX 21 SPECIAL KASE - Table Tennis Blade

Weight of the blades currently in our store: Semi-Round: --- Square: 1x 90g (To request one of the specific blades in stock, please contact us right after placing the order) Authentic and brand new ARMSTRONG table tennis blade Official and approved by the JTTA MADE IN JAPAN

www.nishohi.com

Woah, I have never seen this sick looking racket before

Hi Sandro, the 8 models of Xiom come without the back part. So this makes me think that on Korea this is pretty standard:

I see, that's quite interesting. I've never really focused on the back cork before since it has never interfered with me (I mean I only had one Jpen blade)

I think almost all jpen rackets come with this because it is so easy to remove. So it is easy to satisfy everyone.

Exactly! There is still a use for this back cork, but also none, depends on the player. Now, I think that the back cork is for those with bigger hands

As I have not removed it completely, I am not sure about what I am going to say. But in my opinion: In all videos where I see on backhand how the blade is attached to finger 1 (thumb) and 2 (index) with almost no gap... and then they change easily and without too much pressure to forehand... I think this is only possible with the back part of the handle removed.

You do you man, I'm glad a Jpen managed to find something new to do with their racket! Props to you, and I hope that shaving off the cork would make you better

 

[heheboi]

Taking the back part makes the backhand so much easier. I can maneuver the ball how I want and backhand flicks are easier because the fingers are closer together.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Taking the back part makes the backhand so much easier. I can maneuver the ball how I want and backhand flicks are easier because the fingers are closer together.

What works for you will work for you!

 

[xavi]

What works for you will work for you!

As I said in previous comments, it is much better, and many blades come this way. For example new Tibhar Jager:

カタログ |

tibhar-japan.com

(page 13)

 

[PenHoldSandro]

As I said in previous comments, it is much better, and many blades come this way. For example new Tibhar Jager:

This really just depends on the player... RSM won the olympics with cork...
But if its better for you, then it is!