Ovtcharov InnerForce ALC or Harimoto InnerForce ALC?

[jetski1994]

Hi TT enthusiasts. Want to ask which blade is better for beginner/intermediate player like me? Is it the Ovtcharov InnerForce ALC or Harimoto InnerForce ALC? For context, I am currently playing using Timo Ball CAF with Rakza Z in FH and Tenergy 05 FX in BH. I want to improve my game and I want to upgrade the blade since I feel that I don't have that much feel of the ball using the TB CAF. Thanks for your answers in advance!

 

[Yuomay]

From what I understand, the Ovtcharov is a very powerful blade very unforgiving made to fit strong backhand from mid-distance.

Harimoto is for close to table fast play, more controlled.

Both are definitely advanced blades.

 

[MichaelMargad]

Practically its the same blade like compostion is almost same
well harimoto is like 1mm wider or something
so if you prefer little a bigger head go with the harimoto
or if you don't care about the size
then just go with any handle you think looks cool

 

[jetski1994]

Practically its the same blade like compostion is almost same
well harimoto is like 1mm wider or something
so if you prefer little a bigger head go with the harimoto
or if you don't care about the size
then just go with any handle you think looks cool

Would you suggest putting hybrid rubbers for these blades or Tacky Chinese rubbers for better feel?

 

[MichaelMargad]

from you're equipment , id say use hybrid on the forehand and tensor on the backhand
well chinese forehand might be good but its very demanding and you need constant boosting and lot of care
if you're bold then you can go chinese on the forehand and hybrid on the backhand
so go either hybrid on the forehand and tensor on the backhand if you want safety
Go chinese on the forehand and hybrid on the backhand if you're bold and wanna make a big change and willing to give effort into training
Go both hybrid if you want safety+ growth
both chinese i wont advice
either way any combination is good on each blade since its innerforce alc any rubber is good match and feel

 

[Tyce]

Would you suggest putting hybrid rubbers for these blades or Tacky Chinese rubbers for better feel?

I would suggest sticking with the rubbers you currently have, to make the transition as easy as possible.
Changing both rubbers and blade at the same time is not recommended, and makes it hard to tell apart which characteristics are blade related and which is the rubbers.

In fact, while I understand that your current blade is not giving you the feeling you expect, it might still be a better idea to stick with it and learn how it does work. The reviews I've seen are very divided, which leads me to believe there's a specific kind of feeling that takes getting used to.

If you do decide to change, I can also recommend the Innerforce Layer Alc. It's essentially the Harimoto with standard head size and very well balanced. But the kicker is, since there's no player name on it, it's cheaper.

 

[jetski1994]

from you're equipment , id say use hybrid on the forehand and tensor on the backhand
well chinese forehand might be good but its very demanding and you need constant boosting and lot of care
if you're bold then you can go chinese on the forehand and hybrid on the backhand
so go either hybrid on the forehand and tensor on the backhand if you want safety
Go chinese on the forehand and hybrid on the backhand if you're bold and wanna make a big change and willing to give effort into training
Go both hybrid if you want safety+ growth
both chinese i wont advice
either way any combination is good on each blade since its innerforce alc any rubber is good match and feel

Thank you so much for your advices! Currently thinking of using Rakza Z, Dignics 09C, Bluegrip C2 and Tibhar K3 for my FH. What would you suggest as best FH rubber to use with my level?

 

[Airoc]

harimoto is like 1mm wider or something

The size is identical according to the BTY website, but the Ovtcharov is .2 mm thicker, which makes it faster and more stiff (again according to what BTY says).
This should be able to notice between two blades of the same weight, otherwise the difference is likely to be minimal.
Between these two, I´d pick the one that is available in my preferred weight and not think about much else.

And I have an Ovtcharov for sale ;-)

 

[MichaelMargad]

The size is identical according to the BTY website, but the Ovtcharov is .2 mm thicker, which makes it faster and more stiff (again according to what BTY says).
This should be able to notice between two blades of the same weight, otherwise the difference is likely to be minimal.
Between these two, I´d pick the one that is available in my preferred weight and not think about much else.

And I have an Ovtcharov for sale ;-)

btw does players in germany use ovcharovs blade a lot? i mean he brought so many medals to the country , i can find many in korea

 

[doppelmoral]

btw does players in germany use ovcharovs blade a lot? i mean he brought so many medals to the country , i can find many in korea

quite a few people in germany use it yes
it is popular but not that popular because core is thick and the blade is quite head heavy, more people prefer lighter and less harder blades on amateur level

 

[Airoc]

it is popular but not that popular because core is thick and the blade is quite head heavy, more people prefer lighter and less harder blades on amateur level

Good point, to which I agree. And personally I haven´t ever seen one in use.

 

[steve888]

Hi,
I have used all 3 - Harimoto, Ovtcharov and innerforce layer. I own the last one, the first two (O,H) too me are a bit head heavy as they both have larger heads, the innerforce I find a touch faster and more agile than harimoto due to smaller head. The harimoto is slightly better for blocking. The O, I only played for about 30 minutes on it, a friend has a Harimoto so compared all.

The O was the fastest slightly lower throw than the other two. Seem great away from the table but closer up but a little harder for the shorter game - more catapult and more head heavy. All 3 have great dwell. The O is fastest followed by innerforce then Harimoto. Control all close - but innerforce and Harimoto seem slightly better (close to table) but O seems a better attacking blade from a distance -its stiffer. Spin is close to all but O is slightly less I think due to the stiffness.

 

[jetski1994]

Hi,
I have used all 3 - Harimoto, Ovtcharov and innerforce layer. I own the last one, the first two (O,H) too me are a bit head heavy as they both have larger heads, the innerforce I find a touch faster and more agile than harimoto due to smaller head. The harimoto is slightly better for blocking. The O, I only played for about 30 minutes on it, a friend has a Harimoto so compared all.

The O was the fastest slightly lower throw than the other two. Seem great away from the table but closer up but a little harder for the shorter game - more catapult and more head heavy. All 3 have great dwell. The O is fastest followed by innerforce then Harimoto. Control all close - but innerforce and Harimoto seem slightly better (close to table) but O seems a better attacking blade from a distance -its stiffer. Spin is close to all but O is slightly less I think due to the stiffness.

What FH and BH rubbers do you use for you I blade?

 

[steve888]

I use dignics 05 (1.9) on fh, sriver (backhand). My backhand isn't very strong. I have used glayzer and nittaku g1 for forehand but moved to dignics about 2 months ago. Gave extra speed and punch -Good match for innerforce. Actually on harimoto friend uses both 2.1 and 1.9 dignics 05. I think on the Ov had dignics 05 and 09c combination.

 

[NDH]

I'm sorry to say, but the majority of this thread (with a couple of exceptions) is a great example of why not to take random advice from the internet (and often, why giving uninformed advice is worse than giving no advice)

Hi TT enthusiasts. Want to ask which blade is better for beginner/intermediate player like me?

If anyone is describing themselves as a beginner/intermediate, I think it's very safe to say they are still learning the sport. And yes, whilst some people have had success with using carbon blades from an early age, unless you have very good coaching.... It's MUCH worse to use a carbon blade if you haven't got the skills yet.

For context, I am currently playing using Timo Ball CAF with Rakza Z in FH and Tenergy 05 FX in BH. I want to improve my game and I want to upgrade the blade since I feel that I don't have that much feel of the ball using the TB CAF.

This part makes it even more obvious that the OP should be using something like a Korbel or Primorac all wood blade (insert other all wood blade here if you aren't a Butterfly fan boy like me).

From what I understand, the Ovtcharov is a very powerful blade very unforgiving made to fit strong backhand from mid-distance.

Harimoto is for close to table fast play, more controlled.

These statements are pretty big, and very specific. It gives the impression that each blade has wildly different characteristics, which is just wrong.

The difference between the blades is very small - 2mm thickness of the core, which makes the OALC quicker, and play/feel more like an outer carbon blade, and the HALC *a little bit* slower, but still much quicker than most all wood blades.

Both blades will be equally at home attacking or blocking.

Both are definitely advanced blades.

We can agree on this!

OP, hard to really comment because we don't know what your level is. But both of these blades are not going to be better for you. Get them if you like the handle or the player, but don't get them if you think you'll improve.

The way to improve is to get equipment where you can keep the ball on the table, feel the shots and play full swings without the ball going everywhere.

If you are a beginner, that would be with a coach and quite slow equipment.

Good luck whatever you do!

 

[jetski1994]

I'm sorry to say, but the majority of this thread (with a couple of exceptions) is a great example of why not to take random advice from the internet (and often, why giving uninformed advice is worse than giving no advice)


If anyone is describing themselves as a beginner/intermediate, I think it's very safe to say they are still learning the sport. And yes, whilst some people have had success with using carbon blades from an early age, unless you have very good coaching.... It's MUCH worse to use a carbon blade if you haven't got the skills yet.



This part makes it even more obvious that the OP should be using something like a Korbel or Primorac all wood blade (insert other all wood blade here if you aren't a Butterfly fan boy like me).



These statements are pretty big, and very specific. It gives the impression that each blade has wildly different characteristics, which is just wrong.

The difference between the blades is very small - 2mm thickness of the core, which makes the OALC quicker, and play/feel more like an outer carbon blade, and the HALC *a little bit* slower, but still much quicker than most all wood blades.

Both blades will be equally at home attacking or blocking.


We can agree on this!

OP, hard to really comment because we don't know what your level is. But both of these blades are not going to be better for you. Get them if you like the handle or the player, but don't get them if you think you'll improve.

The way to improve is to get equipment where you can keep the ball on the table, feel the shots and play full swings without the ball going everywhere.

If you are a beginner, that would be with a coach and quite slow equipment.

Good luck whatever you do!

Thank you so much for the great and very comprehensive advice! Appreciate also the honesty in the comment and strongly considering it right now since it aligns with my current gameplay. Thank you again!

 

[steve888]

Please let us know of the outcome. 😊