What's a good blade for CPEN: SP FH and RPB BH

[Marc!_]

The blade I'm currently using is the Sanwei 75 ALC outer penhold.
I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking for. Just a blade that can help me with the hitting style and can loop, and has good controls (I'm very angle oriented and use tpb sometimes to win points when the ball is fast on my BH)

 

[zeio]

A composite blade thicker than 6mm. Ojio Yuna uses Fire Fall AC.

https://www.victas.com/products/detail.html?id=7

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Clipper

 

[Marc!_]

Which version of Clipper. Is WRB CR ok?

 

[greenbeanmachine]

I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking for. Just a blade that can help me with the hitting style and can loop, and has good controls (I'm very angle oriented and use tpb sometimes to win points when the ball is fast on my BH)

I played SP penhold for a while, there were two setups which I found to feel very good:
1. Clipper + Spectol (or other low-friction pips)
2. Ma Lin Extra Offensive + 802-40 (or other spinny short pips)

The first setup worked really nicely for hitting fast, and the soft stiff blade gave more feeling for pips which did not have much friction. This worked well for disruptive play -- almost like long pips -- where I could return dead balls or give the opponent their own spin. Not great for looping. Not great for serving (mostly served with rpb, or twiddled to serve). But amazing for flat hitting, fast blocking, and giving confusing balls.

The second setup allowed me to do some basic looping and spin shots. Serves are very spinny, but you have to serve fast and long, like He Zhiwen. I believe he uses a setup with similar composition (hardwood outer ply + 802-40). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots if you play them with sudden sharp movements (like chop-blocks, punches, and counter-hits directly off the bounce). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots, while the grippy pips give you some control over the spin (the opposite of the soft blade + slick pips setup above). The chop-block + smash combo was bread and butter for me when I played this setup.

I tried putting spinny pips on the Clipper and I didn't really like it at all. I tried Spinpips, 802-40, and Spinfire. The combination of spinny pips plus a soft blade means that you become pretty sensitive to incoming spin -- but at the same time you can't really generate much of your own spin. Smashing was not as fast. It just felt like a worse version of inverted rubber at that point.

My recommendation would be to get a soft blade with low-friction pips, or a hard blade with grippy pips. They balance each other out.

Which version of Clipper. Is WRB CR ok?

Yeah WRB is good. Any version of Clipper works. WRB is more head-heavy because the handle is hollowed out.

 

[suds79]

Ah snap I had to edit my post. Just realized you're a SP forehand player with inverted BH RPB. In that case I have a different view & recommendation.

Because you're not really spinning it much on the SP forehand, lets lean into that pure speed & power smash game.

Gambler Balsa Knight

Gambler Balsa Knight ⋆ Gambler Table Tennis

GAMBLER BALSA KNIGHT is a high power TWO SPEED attacking/defending blade utilizing the benefits of high-grade carbon construction. Made to the most exacting standards, Balsa Knight features an attacking side utilizing 60K Micro Mesh Graphite, and a backhand using a wood combination geared toward...

gamblertt.com

This is an interesting blade. it's 8.9mm thick so IMO it leans into an almost JPen sort of power feel. Jpen blades are typically stiff, little flex & very powerful being around 10mm or so. They are smash city end the point silly fast type of blades. That's exactly what a SP penholder should be looking to do. Anyways, this is a combo blade and you're a combo player with SP & Inverted. One side is carbon, the other is wood.

Up to you which combo you play. The wood with SP or Inverted and carbon with SP or Inverted. I'm inclined to say put the faster carbon side on your SP FH but up to you.

But either way if you want a super fast hitters blade (spin based players IDK if I'd go this route. Too stiff), this is the one.

 

[Marc!_]

I played SP penhold for a while, there were two setups which I found to feel very good:
1. Clipper + Spectol (or other low-friction pips)
2. Ma Lin Extra Offensive + 802-40 (or other spinny short pips)

The first setup worked really nicely for hitting fast, and the soft stiff blade gave more feeling for pips which did not have much friction. This worked well for disruptive play -- almost like long pips -- where I could return dead balls or give the opponent their own spin. Not great for looping. Not great for serving (mostly served with rpb, or twiddled to serve). But amazing for flat hitting, fast blocking, and giving confusing balls.

The second setup allowed me to do some basic looping and spin shots. Serves are very spinny, but you have to serve fast and long, like He Zhiwen. I believe he uses a setup with similar composition (hardwood outer ply + 802-40). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots if you play them with sudden sharp movements (like chop-blocks, punches, and counter-hits directly off the bounce). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots, while the grippy pips give you some control over the spin (the opposite of the soft blade + slick pips setup above). The chop-block + smash combo was bread and butter for me when I played this setup.

I tried putting spinny pips on the Clipper and I didn't really like it at all. I tried Spinpips, 802-40, and Spinfire. The combination of spinny pips plus a soft blade means that you become pretty sensitive to incoming spin -- but at the same time you can't really generate much of your own spin. Smashing was not as fast. It just felt like a worse version of inverted rubber at that point.

My recommendation would be to get a soft blade with low-friction pips, or a hard blade with grippy pips. They balance each other out.


Yeah WRB is good. Any version of Clipper works. WRB is more head-heavy because the handle is hollowed out.

Yeah thanks for input. I definitely think the hard combo with spinny pips is my way since I use Sanwei 75 ALC. I've put 802-40 on it (which is decently spinny for me)
What SP rubber do you think is good (~$30) that are similar
And for RPB should I have really high throw and speed.

 

[Marc!_]

Ah snap I had to edit my post. Just realized you're a SP forehand player with inverted BH RPB. In that case I have a different view & recommendation.

Because you're not really spinning it much on the SP forehand, lets lean into that pure speed & power smash game.

Gambler Balsa Knight

Gambler Balsa Knight ⋆ Gambler Table Tennis

GAMBLER BALSA KNIGHT is a high power TWO SPEED attacking/defending blade utilizing the benefits of high-grade carbon construction. Made to the most exacting standards, Balsa Knight features an attacking side utilizing 60K Micro Mesh Graphite, and a backhand using a wood combination geared toward...

gamblertt.com

This is an interesting blade. it's 8.9mm thick so IMO it leans into an almost JPen sort of power feel. Jpen blades are typically stiff, little flex & very powerful being around 10mm or so. They are smash city end the point silly fast type of blades. That's exactly what a SP penholder should be looking to do. Anyways, this is a combo blade and you're a combo player with SP & Inverted. One side is carbon, the other is wood.

Up to you which combo you play. The wood with SP or Inverted and carbon with SP or Inverted. I'm inclined to say put the faster carbon side on your SP FH but up to you.

But either way if you want a super fast hitters blade (spin based players IDK if I'd go this route. Too stiff), this is the one.

Are there any other blades similar to this one and also penhold? I'm trying to buy stuff from Aliexpress.

 

[greenbeanmachine]

What SP rubber do you think is good (~$30) that are similar

Honestly I never found a spinny pips that I liked more than 802-40 or thought was a better deal. Get the soft version if you can, or you can boost it with Falco Tempo Long to make the sponge softer.

Spinlord Killer Soft is interesting, it lets you play a balance of attack and defense. I'd pair it with a hard blade. You can get a good amount of spin out of it, and also a good amount of spin reversal. Spin is not as much as 802-40.

Spinfire is a bit spinnier than 802-40 while still having a high amount of speed. The rubber is tacky, and it also comes in a variety of different colors if you like that. But it's like 3-4x the price of 802-40. Also it's harder to play disruptive shots with this rubber compared to 802-40.

And for RPB should I have really high throw and speed.

Depends on your technique and playing style. I had Skyline TG2 on my backhand, and the ability to play spinny loops with RPB added some confusion to my game. I also twiddled -- do you twiddle? This can be another way to introduce confusion. If you can play big spinny loops with the backhand, then that is an advantage in my opinion.

Are there any other blades similar to this one and also penhold? I'm trying to buy stuff from Aliexpress.

You could try Green Goblin 5 or Green Goblin 7, they're both hard with good speed. If you're looking for a REALLY fast blade, you could try Yinhe Pro 01 or Yinhe Pro 02.

If you want a combination blade, I think Sanwei has several. You could also try Yinhe Pro 13S.

 

[Marc!_]

Honestly I never found a spinny pips that I liked more than 802-40 or thought was a better deal. Get the soft version if you can, or you can boost it with Falco Tempo Long to make the sponge softer.

Spinlord Killer Soft is interesting, it lets you play a balance of attack and defense. I'd pair it with a hard blade. You can get a good amount of spin out of it, and also a good amount of spin reversal. Spin is not as much as 802-40.

Spinfire is a bit spinnier than 802-40 while still having a high amount of speed. The rubber is tacky, and it also comes in a variety of different colors if you like that. But it's like 3-4x the price of 802-40.


Depends on your technique and playing style. I had Skyline TG2 on my backhand, and the ability to play spinny loops with RPB added some confusion to my game. I also twiddled -- do you twiddle? This can be another way to introduce confusion. If you can play big spinny loops with the backhand, then that is an advantage in my opinion.


You could try Green Goblin 5 or Green Goblin 7, they're both hard with good speed. If you're looking for a REALLY fast blade, you could try Yinhe Pro 01 or Yinhe Pro 02.

If you want a combination blade, I think Sanwei has several. You could also try Yinhe Pro 13S.

I have not mastered twiddling well enough yet, but RPB helps me on my BH, kind of confusing sometimes since i can TPB punch SP or RPB for flick/attack. Don't remember if i said but I use Palio AK47 Blue for RPB and i think it works ok, I just need better form. Do you think the 802-40 is one of the best SP if i can afford something up to $30 (Is Victas >102 good?)?

I've heard quite a bit of good things about Pro 01 so I may get it

How do combination blades work, and whats the purpose?

 

[greenbeanmachine]

I have not mastered twiddling well enough yet

Best way to learn how to twiddle: sit down and watch your favorite TV show and twiddle your racket the whole time. You'll learn how to twiddle very quickly.

I use Palio AK47 Blue for RPB and i think it works ok, I just need better form.

AK47 is not a very spinny rubber, you may want to try something with more arc and friction, like Yinhe Big Dipper. AK47 is almost like a short pips rubber -- fast without much spin.

Do you think the 802-40 is one of the best SP if i can afford something up to $30 (Is Victas >102 good?)?

If I recall correctly, Victas 102 is what they renamed TSP Spinpips when Victas acquired TSP. I tried Spinpips and it felt very similar to 802-40, maybe a bit more grippy. Victas 102 wouldn't be a bad choice, but I think you're basically paying more for the same thing.

Even if you are not constrained by budget, 802-40 is one of the best short pips you can get.

I've heard quite a bit of good things about Pro 01 so I may get it

I just looked up your blade -- Sanwei 75 Outer is the exact same model of blade as Pro 01 and Viscaria, so if you're not happy with your current blade then Pro 01 probably won't make you happy either. Pro 02 consists of the same wood and carbon as 75 Outer and Pro 01, but with thicker layers so it's faster.

You might want to ask yourself what you're looking for. Why do you want to change your blade? If you're interested in trying something new just for the hell of it, you might try Green Goblin 7 or Ma Lin Extra Offensive or Clipper. If there are specific complaints you have about your current blade, then that can guide your next purchase.

How do combination blades work, and whats the purpose?

A combination blade is asymmetric -- it has different characteristics on each side. One side might be hard and fast for smashing, and the other side might be soft for looping. They're popular with pips players.

 

[Marc!_]

Best way to learn how to twiddle: sit down and watch your favorite TV show and twiddle your racket the whole time. You'll learn how to twiddle very quickly.


AK47 is not a very spinny rubber, you may want to try something with more arc and friction, like Yinhe Big Dipper. AK47 is almost like a short pips rubber -- fast without much spin.


If I recall correctly, Victas 102 is what they renamed TSP Spinpips when Victas acquired TSP. I tried Spinpips and it felt very similar to 802-40, maybe a bit more grippy. Victas 102 wouldn't be a bad choice, but I think you're basically paying more for the same thing.

Even if you are not constrained by budget, 802-40 is one of the best short pips you can get.



I just looked up your blade -- Sanwei 75 Outer is the exact same model of blade as Pro 01 and Viscaria, so if you're not happy with your current blade then Pro 01 probably won't make you happy either. Pro 02 consists of the same wood and carbon as 75 Outer and Pro 01, but with thicker layers so it's faster.

You might want to ask yourself what you're looking for. Why do you want to change your blade? If you're interested in trying something new just for the hell of it, you might try Green Goblin 7 or Ma Lin Extra Offensive or Clipper. If there are specific complaints you have about your current blade, then that can guide your next purchase.


A combination blade is asymmetric -- it has different characteristics on each side. One side might be hard and fast for smashing, and the other side might be soft for looping. They're popular with pips players.

The AK47 works fine for me but I think it isn't ideal though. So I'll prob switch, maybe to big dipper like you said

Ok fair enough. I have the mystery III one in 2.2mm, is that the most ideal configuration? or any variants?

The Sanwei 75 Outer works fine for me, I haven't tried much blades so I'm not sure what I really want.

Whats a few good combination blades, I can't find the yinhe 13s one on ali and I wanna buy all in one for shipping.
Also should pips go on the hard side and soft for RPB (flicking serve, slow ball)?

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

If I recall correctly, Victas 102 is what they renamed TSP Spinpips when Victas acquired TSP. I tried Spinpips and it felt very similar to 802-40, maybe a bit more grippy. Victas 102 wouldn't be a bad choice, but I think you're basically paying more for the same thing.

Victas never acquired TSP, they were two divisions of Yamato Takkyuu co. that were merged together to consolidate the product lineup. And VO>102 is not the same as Spinpips, VO series are made in Germany and Spectol/Spinpips are made in Japan. 102 plays a lot more similarly to other modern style German short pips like Rakza PO, Hexer Pips, Tango Ultra etc which is to say they are very spinny and bouncy/reactive, very close to smooth rubber in function, as opposed to Spinpips which are closer in behavior to nontension style pips like 802-40. I think VO>102 is one of the best pips rubbers for modern style forehand short pips attacking, but IMO it is not actually that good at oldschool hitting and blocking because it is both bouncy and spin-sensitive

 

[greenbeanmachine]

And VO>102 is not the same as Spinpips, VO series are made in Germany and Spectol/Spinpips are made in Japan. 102 plays a lot more similarly to other modern style German short pips like Rakza PO, Hexer Pips, Tango Ultra etc which is to say they are very spinny and bouncy/reactive, very close to smooth rubber in function, as opposed to Spinpips which are closer in behavior to nontension style pips like 802-40

Ah, I stand corrected, my bad. It looks like TSP Spinpips became Victas D1, D2, and D3.

Ok fair enough. I have the mystery III one in 2.2mm, is that the most ideal configuration? or any variants?

Mystery III is good. If you can find the soft sponge version of 802-40 then that's even better. Otherwise I think the way to get the best performance out of Mystery III is to boost with Falco Tempo Long.

The Sanwei 75 Outer works fine for me, I haven't tried much blades so I'm not sure what I really want.

In that case it might be a good idea to experiment with something new. Clipper is one of the most popular blades for SP penhold (though if you use Clipper I would really recommend getting Spectol pips). You could also try Ma Lin Extra Offensive or Green Goblin 7.

Whats a few good combination blades, I can't find the yinhe 13s one on ali and I wanna buy all in one for shipping.
Also should pips go on the hard side and soft for RPB (flicking serve, slow ball)?

Sanwei Two Face is another combination blade. I think this is probably not the best idea for you if you don't know what you want. Try a soft blade first.

There's no right answer for which side the pips should go on -- it all depends on your preferences. These combination blades are really for people who have tried both hard blades and soft blades and they only like one for forehand and the other for backhand. If you like hard on both FH and BH then just use a hard blade. Same goes for soft.

 

[Marc!_]

Ah, I stand corrected, my bad. It looks like TSP Spinpips became Victas D1, D2, and D3.


Mystery III is good. If you can find the soft sponge version of 802-40 then that's even better. Otherwise I think the way to get the best performance out of Mystery III is to boost with Falco Tempo Long.


In that case it might be a good idea to experiment with something new. Clipper is one of the most popular blades for SP penhold (though if you use Clipper I would really recommend getting Spectol pips). You could also try Ma Lin Extra Offensive or Green Goblin 7.



Sanwei Two Face is another combination blade. I think this is probably not the best idea for you if you don't know what you want. Try a soft blade first.

There's no right answer for which side the pips should go on -- it all depends on your preferences. These combination blades are really for people who have tried both hard blades and soft blades and they only like one for forehand and the other for backhand. If you like hard on both FH and BH then just use a hard blade. Same goes for soft.

Aren't the spectol pips super non-spinny though?
Ma Lin one has been recommended to me by so many ppl so this one is a strong consideration. I'm not sure abt the 729 green goblin...hows the speed, feel, etc?

thanks for info on combi blades. Are any in OFF+ (on both sides) since I'm really using RPB only for slow balls and flicks and TPB punches for BH for the rest and FH speed SP hits

 

[der Stift]

Coach 梁 plays like the style that you described,
he played matches with his cellphone, and he lives in your area.

前国乒名将接受粉丝挑战 首届手机乒乓球挑战赛在汉开打 - 湖北日报新闻客户端

news.hubeidaily.net

Seriously, I *think* coach 梁 uses Stiga Carbo 7.6 WRB, a 13-layer thick blade.

 

[greenbeanmachine]

Aren't the spectol pips super non-spinny though?
Ma Lin one has been recommended to me by so many ppl so this one is a strong consideration. I'm not sure abt the 729 green goblin...hows the speed, feel, etc?

Yeah Spectol is not very spinny. If you want spinny pips I'd recommend using Ma Lin Extra Offensive.

Green Goblin is ok, doesn't have the same touch as Ma Lin but it's a bit faster.

thanks for info on combi blades. Are any in OFF+ (on both sides) since I'm really using RPB only for slow balls and flicks and TPB punches for BH for the rest and FH speed SP hits

Not sure why you're set on a combi blade -- they're for a pretty niche demographic. Can't really recommend any of them since I've never tried any of them. Xiom Ice Cream and Yinhe 13S are both OFF+ on both sides, though idk if you can find them on ali express. Aside from that I don't really know.

 

[Marc!_]

OK. So I'm kind of at a crossroads to what I'm wanting for my FH (my main weapon).

My plan for blade is Yinhe T4S CS (According to online its hard and stiff), and DHS GoldArc 9 for RPB.
Rn I'm considering doing a less-spinny pip for FH or maybe stick to 802-40 or something that is also somewhat spinny.
I'm thinking of:
Spinlord Waran II
Yinhe Uranus Pro (idk what softness yet)
Tuttle Summer 3C (2.2mm, 36 deg, THIS is my main pick rn, if anyone used it, lmk how it is)

Or stick with this (idk any other cheap pips that spin well)
729 802-40 (38 hardness 2.2mm)

 

[Caravenav]

As an SP penholder, I would recommend the 802-40 (greenbeanmachine's recommendation), which offers the best value for money on the market. I play with a Clipper CR blade (no WRB), which is really good for flat hits and for playing with rubber medium-far from the table. I have also played with the Nostalgic VII and the Xiom Xtream S, which is a great blade, but unfortunately, no longer available. I have also played with the Viscaria, which is a nice blade with a good feel, but I would say it is not good for hitters who play close to the table. I have also played with the Yinhe T-4S, which has nine layers, four of which are carbon. It is too fast and cheap, and is nice to play with when you are far from the table, but not when you are close. Regarding the SP, I'm currently testing the Donic Baxter F1-A. I played with the Clipper CR and the TSP Spectol, but they didn't work for me, not because they are a bad combination. If you play in a club or with players who mainly play with topspin and loops, Spectol is really good (it has a hard sponge), and the counterattack is fast and lethal. However, I play in a place where the level isn't so high, and the players aren't aggressive. Therefore, I have to start the attack from close to the table. Spectol doesn't generate much spin, so it isn't easy. For this reason, I changed to a more spiny and softer SP (it isn't a Spectol issue).

 

[Caravenav]

I played SP penhold for a while, there were two setups which I found to feel very good:
1. Clipper + Spectol (or other low-friction pips)
2. Ma Lin Extra Offensive + 802-40 (or other spinny short pips)

The first setup worked really nicely for hitting fast, and the soft stiff blade gave more feeling for pips which did not have much friction. This worked well for disruptive play -- almost like long pips -- where I could return dead balls or give the opponent their own spin. Not great for looping. Not great for serving (mostly served with rpb, or twiddled to serve). But amazing for flat hitting, fast blocking, and giving confusing balls.

The second setup allowed me to do some basic looping and spin shots. Serves are very spinny, but you have to serve fast and long, like He Zhiwen. I believe he uses a setup with similar composition (hardwood outer ply + 802-40). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots if you play them with sudden sharp movements (like chop-blocks, punches, and counter-hits directly off the bounce). The hard blade lets you play disruptive shots, while the grippy pips give you some control over the spin (the opposite of the soft blade + slick pips setup above). The chop-block + smash combo was bread and butter for me when I played this setup.

I tried putting spinny pips on the Clipper and I didn't really like it at all. I tried Spinpips, 802-40, and Spinfire. The combination of spinny pips plus a soft blade means that you become pretty sensitive to incoming spin -- but at the same time you can't really generate much of your own spin. Smashing was not as fast. It just felt like a worse version of inverted rubber at that point.

My recommendation would be to get a soft blade with low-friction pips, or a hard blade with grippy pips. They balance each other out.


Yeah WRB is good. Any version of Clipper works. WRB is more head-heavy because the handle is hollowed out.

Hi! It's nice to see someone here who knows about the SP penholder. I have some questions for you that you might be able to help me with. I bought several SPs looking for one that fits my style (while also trying to save money). Maybe you have played with some of them and can give me your opinion on them.
Firstly, I like the LGL style (aggressive, close to the table, flat hit, third ball attack), but I know that Spinpips were banned in the early 2000s, so there's nothing I can do about that.
I'm currently testing a Donic Baxter F1-A. So far, it's OK, but I've only played twice for a total of three hours.
I have to test:
Globe 889-2
Meteor 845
Kokutaku 119
Palio Power Dragon
Yinhe Uranus Pro.

Do you have some experience with these SP?