I'm not looking for a unicorn, just a hinoki donkey that will do the job.

Well, as I said, I'm leaving carbon fiber for racing, and now I'd like to know that if I'm going to pay more than €200 for a single-layer Hinoki helmet, it's been tested by someone for a while and not just discussed without any basis on Revspin, YouTube, etc.
It seems the reference woods are the Darker brand, but I've seen that there's a brand called PP, which has something like: "PP MOBY JAPAN Kiso Hinoki FL". Have you tried any others that are worth buying? Thanks a lot for your comments, from Spain.

1762165866529.png


PD:I've added a list of woods—single-ply, multi-ply, and fiberboard—without any supporting data. This is in case anyone has used any of these and would like to comment.
 
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Looking at your list, I suppose you want Shakehand, but please specify as hinoki 1 ply is the main trend on jpen.

On your list you have some 1 ply and many n plies (regular blades with an hinoki finish on external layer).

Are you sure you want 1 ply? what is your style?

Note 1 ply it needs a thick blade, and more than 9mm is not easy to manage on shakehand.
 
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If you want 1 ply, I will recommend Miyabi. If you want a more standard blade but with really good hinoki feel, then Septear (7 ply)

If you like Nittaku, you have both and 5.22 and 7.22 on 100x100pingpong.com:


Note hinoki have little sweet spot. So with 7 ply or adding carbon is more easy to play.
 
Looking at your list, I suppose you want Shakehand, but please specify as hinoki 1 ply is the main trend on jpen.

On your list you have some 1 ply and many n plies (regular blades with an hinoki finish on external layer).

Are you sure you want 1 ply? what is your style?

Note 1 ply it needs a thick blade, and more than 9mm is not easy to manage on shakehand.
Yes shake hand Yes, it's a varied list. The playing style is to play far from the table, very strong backhand and forehands with a lot of sidespin, chops, blocks, a lot of ball placement, many tricks, lobs, and things like that—a mix between Xuxin and Gauzy, at an amateur level... hahaha.Que conste , que si eres de 100x100pingpong.com, ya os compré un marcador Nittaku la semana pasada .:D
 
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Yes shake hand Yes, it's a varied list. The playing style is to play far from the table, very strong backhand and forehands with a lot of sidespin, chops, blocks, a lot of ball placement, many tricks, lobs, and things like that—a mix between Xuxin and Gauzy, at an amateur level... hahaha.Que conste , que si eres de 100x100pingpong.com, ya os compré un marcador Nittaku la semana pasada .:D

Hello, no I am not involved in that store. I personally know Valentí, and I bought many things to him and I always appreciate his support and Nittaku quality. But I'm not involved with them.

Cheers
 
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I have tried and played with a number of hinoki blades. First of all there is a difference between kiso (Japan only )and other Hinoki. Hinoki is a kind of cypress so often woods from different areas are often labelled hinoki. I have loved and not liked blades with similar compositions and even the same model. The Myaki is the best feeling blade I have. Do I use it? No it is a bomb! You can tame it with choice of rubbers, however it is heavy so very hard for someone at my stage to make full use of its qualities. I disliked the septear (too mushy) not sure about the Septear Inner carbon . I also sold the three Butterfly 5 ply hinoki I owned. So I finally settled for the Sanwei HC5 and later the HC5S. I have bought 7 to date. Like guitars blades are individuals, and as I cannot afford to buy or are able to try four or five blades before purchase I buy to three or four affordable ones and usually find one that just works for me. I leave my expensive acoustics at home keeping Miaby and other blades company.

Chinese hinoki is harder than kiso and probably from younger trees than kiso wood. Japanese made blades are often built to higher standards.

Kiso has a special touch that not other wood I have tried can replicate. It holds the ball so long that is affects your stroke.
Does anyone else have the same sensation?

Despite the above I love my Myabi, it's like the beautiful person that attracts you like a moth to the flame....and it has a wonderful fragrance ...ah romance....
 
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There is definitely something special—dare I say addictive?—about the scent of real Japanese hinoki.

I once pilfered* one of these (a masu - a hinoki drinking cup for sake) from a Japanese restaurant because the scent was so intoxicating... (Or maybe it was the sake? 🤔🤪)

*Edit: The waiter told me I could!

OhashiRyoki_Masu_Plain_1.webp
 
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Kiso has a special touch that not other wood I have tried can replicate. It holds the ball so long that is affects your stroke.
Does anyone else have the same sensation?
Yes I do feel this sensation and I am 99% sure that my blade is not made from expensive precious Japanese Kiso. 😁
 

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