Where to find Genuine Gold Viscaria and W968 ( prott doubt)

[ThePongCommenter]

Even if those full rejects hit the market, they're still full rejects for a reason. So no, they will not be the same quality that the top players *actually* use.

If you want to play what the top player uses, there's only one source where you can get the actual thing and that's the player themselves. And even then, they will probably only give or sell a blade when they feel it's no longer up to standards.

Let's entertain the idea that one actually manages to get a good, functioning blade from a top player. Then what?

Top players don't have equipment that's perfect in every single area. That's a mythical thought feeding equipment junkies forever. A top player will be using the best possible blade - for the occasion.
Depending on the venue there are changes in the power, spin, bounce.
Depending on the opponents they may have to pick between covering a weakness or amplifying a strength (usually, in top sports, the choice is the latter though).
Depending on physical condition, injuries, stamina, they may have to pick something to cover a weakness or play their strength.

A top player's choice of blade is almost always a compromise tailor made to fit them, not the EJ trying to get their blade.
And then there's still personal preference. Handles, vibration, all kinds of stuff that influence the feeling rather than the performance.

So if you manage to indeed get that mythical unicorn of a top player's blade, in a good condition, there's a much bigger chance of it not being a good blade for you than it being that actual, mythical, perfect fit.
Because they are top players and have 10x the hours of training. They have a top level physique, technique, and understanding of what they do. They have their own playstyle, and also top level opponents that they have to account for.

Even if I could own and legally drive an F1 car, there is zero chance that it will make me drive like an F1 driver. Not even a single percent. In fact, driving it is more likely to make me feel like a complete loser, I'd probably fail to even engage the clutch and spin on the first turn.

All of this is spot on, though I think most equipment enthusiasts just want to see exactly what their idol's equipment feels like even if they understand it won't make them better, but yeah they aren't getting that either unless they use the actual racket that the player hands them.

 

[NextLevel]

Even if those full rejects hit the market, they're still full rejects for a reason. So no, they will not be the same quality that the top players *actually* use.

If you want to play what the top player uses, there's only one source where you can get the actual thing and that's the player themselves. And even then, they will probably only give or sell a blade when they feel it's no longer up to standards.

Let's entertain the idea that one actually manages to get a good, functioning blade from a top player. Then what?

Top players don't have equipment that's perfect in every single area. That's a mythical thought feeding equipment junkies forever. A top player will be using the best possible blade - for the occasion.
Depending on the venue there are changes in the power, spin, bounce.
Depending on the opponents they may have to pick between covering a weakness or amplifying a strength (usually, in top sports, the choice is the latter though).
Depending on physical condition, injuries, stamina, they may have to pick something to cover a weakness or play their strength.

A top player's choice of blade is almost always a compromise tailor made to fit them, not the EJ trying to get their blade.
And then there's still personal preference. Handles, vibration, all kinds of stuff that influence the feeling rather than the performance.

So if you manage to indeed get that mythical unicorn of a top player's blade, in a good condition, there's a much bigger chance of it not being a good blade for you than it being that actual, mythical, perfect fit.
Because they are top players and have 10x the hours of training. They have a top level physique, technique, and understanding of what they do. They have their own playstyle, and also top level opponents that they have to account for.

Even if I could own and legally drive an F1 car, there is zero chance that it will make me drive like an F1 driver. Not even a single percent. In fact, driving it is more likely to make me feel like a complete loser, I'd probably fail to even engage the clutch and spin on the first turn.

When I tested Quadri's blade, that was not my impression at all, lol, it felt more like I was being cheated lol...

Just kidding, everything you have written is spot on.

 

[Haito]

Even if I could own and legally drive an F1 car, there is zero chance that it will make me drive like an F1 driver. Not even a single percent. In fact, driving it is more likely to make me feel like a complete loser, I'd probably fail to even engage the clutch and spin on the first turn.

Completely agreed.

 

[Tiber1337]

Tbh I am looking

There’s a big difference between questioning a site for selling worse quality control official products and saying they are straight up fake.

Of course a Chinese seller will probably be closer to getting the national teams returned products rather than TT11 that is an official DHS distributor, that does not mean their products are fake or custom modified. I’ve had 4 different W968 of the different versions, both from TT11 and Prott, and there were no differences between them quality control wise or legitimacy.

There is also a huge difference between buying a randomly picked FZD ALC from China and a Golden Viscaria, as their thickness and top ply will be noticeable different with serial numbering, not to say that a randomly picked FZD ALC is probably not perfect

I also don’t know what a digital W968 is? Do you mean letters/provincial?

Digital w968, is the cheapest national w968 that can be found on prott, nunber 32+. Thats how people from aliexpress call it, digital w968

 

[Tiber1337]

Even if those full rejects hit the market, they're still full rejects for a reason. So no, they will not be the same quality that the top players *actually* use.

If you want to play what the top player uses, there's only one source where you can get the actual thing and that's the player themselves. And even then, they will probably only give or sell a blade when they feel it's no longer up to standards.

Let's entertain the idea that one actually manages to get a good, functioning blade from a top player. Then what?

Top players don't have equipment that's perfect in every single area. That's a mythical thought feeding equipment junkies forever. A top player will be using the best possible blade - for the occasion.
Depending on the venue there are changes in the power, spin, bounce.
Depending on the opponents they may have to pick between covering a weakness or amplifying a strength (usually, in top sports, the choice is the latter though).
Depending on physical condition, injuries, stamina, they may have to pick something to cover a weakness or play their strength.

A top player's choice of blade is almost always a compromise tailor made to fit them, not the EJ trying to get their blade.
And then there's still personal preference. Handles, vibration, all kinds of stuff that influence the feeling rather than the performance.

So if you manage to indeed get that mythical unicorn of a top player's blade, in a good condition, there's a much bigger chance of it not being a good blade for you than it being that actual, mythical, perfect fit.
Because they are top players and have 10x the hours of training. They have a top level physique, technique, and understanding of what they do. They have their own playstyle, and also top level opponents that they have to account for.

Even if I could own and legally drive an F1 car, there is zero chance that it will make me drive like an F1 driver. Not even a single percent. In fact, driving it is more likely to make me feel like a complete loser, I'd probably fail to even engage the clutch and spin on the first turn.

I'm not looking to be better than profesionals with pro equipment. I'm looking to experience their real equipment

 

[RPB Enthusiast]

I'm not looking to be better than profesionals with pro equipment. I'm looking to experience their real equipment

If you really want a W968 blade, I got a #28 number version I'm selling, but it's Chinese Penhold so you'll have to become a Penholder 😎

 

[dingyibvs]

Tbh I am looking

Digital w968, is the cheapest national w968 that can be found on prott, nunber 32+. Thats how people from aliexpress call it, digital w968

In English that's usually referred to as "numbers", as opposed to "letters" for provincial.

 

[Archosaurus]

Even if I could own and legally drive an F1 car, there is zero chance that it will make me drive like an F1 driver. Not even a single percent. In fact, driving it is more likely to make me feel like a complete loser, I'd probably fail to even engage the clutch and spin on the first turn.

Maybe not for F1 because they're pretty extreme and the physical conditioning requirements are really high, but many high-level racecars are just plain easier to drive fast on track than roadcars are. Especially the gentleman driver or endurance stuff. They're made to be easy to use, not difficult, and only the most top of the top guys are making drivability sacrifices with the setup for objective top-end performance gains.

There's a bit of a myth that you need elite skills to drive a lot of those cars (GT3, LMP2 etc.) but mediocre drivers can get around the track in them probably safer and faster than they can in a Kia roadcar or something. The only challenging part is that the braking force needed is kind of high so low-level amateurs won't comfortably reach it most of the time, although in my coaching experience it's mostly a mental and preparation thing. I've gotten people from 40kgf to 100kgf+ on their first hour. Once they're over that hurdle, then the racecar is just plain easier to drive than most roadcars or even "learner" racecars which either have a lot of design problems (for the application) or just aren't as well put together.

I can't say for sure from experience but I think pro equipment in TT is similar. It's supposed to be easier to play with "properly" and makes less sacrifices, but there's a modest minimum threshold the user needs to reach for reasonable performance.

 

[Tiber1337]

Maybe not for F1 because they're pretty extreme and the physical conditioning requirements are really high, but many high-level racecars are just plain easier to drive fast on track than roadcars are. Especially the gentleman driver or endurance stuff. They're made to be easy to use, not difficult, and only the most top of the top guys are making drivability sacrifices with the setup for objective top-end performance gains.

There's a bit of a myth that you need elite skills to drive a lot of those cars (GT3, LMP2 etc.) but mediocre drivers can get around the track in them probably safer and faster than they can in a Kia roadcar or something. The only challenging part is that the braking force needed is kind of high so low-level amateurs won't comfortably reach it most of the time, although in my coaching experience it's mostly a mental and preparation thing. I've gotten people from 40kgf to 100kgf+ on their first hour. Once they're over that hurdle, then the racecar is just plain easier to drive than most roadcars or even "learner" racecars which either have a lot of design problems (for the application) or just aren't as well put together.

I can't say for sure from experience but I think pro equipment in TT is similar. It's supposed to be easier to play with "properly" and makes less sacrifices, but there's a modest minimum threshold the user needs to reach for reasonable performance.

100% PRO equipment is easier to create quality shot and much SAFER. With standard equipment we are actually putting in much effort to create a quality shot, making us react slower and also being less compact.

I once sacrificed 2x dignics 09c on a 87 grams viscaria, I boosted with 3 layers each. My shots were fast, spinny and safe , I could do a compact shot from both bh and fh and power loop anything and even punch. Booster lasted 5 days before rubbers were completely dead and unusable.

Same story with w968 + boosted h3.

PRO equipment is faster and more stable, I am looking to replicate that without having to boost weekly.

In my league, players who are not sponsored just go for Primorac Carbon + hibrids , or some other szlc + hinoki surface.

They do it because need the speed but also they need the rubber to be easily engaged on compact moves and when technique is not perfect. but sacrifice some spin and safety

 

[sebi]

100% PRO equipment is easier to create quality shot and much SAFER. With standard equipment we are actually putting in much effort to create a quality shot, making us react slower and also being less compact.

I once sacrificed 2x dignics 09c on a 87 grams viscaria, I boosted with 3 layers each. My shots were fast, spinny and safe , I could do a compact shot from both bh and fh and power loop anything and even punch. Booster lasted 5 days before rubbers were completely dead and unusable.

Same story with w968 + boosted h3.

PRO equipment is faster and more stable, I am looking to replicate that without having to boost weekly.

In my league, players who are not sponsored just go for Primorac Carbon + hibrids , or some other szlc + hinoki surface.

They do it because need the speed but also they need the rubber to be easily engaged on compact moves and when technique is not perfect. but sacrifice some spin and safety

I agree

 

[Archosaurus]

Not sure I agree on the idea that you're gonna get pro-level performance without boosting weekly. The reality of the matter is that everyone is getting rubbers either really pre-boosted, or doing it themselves. Plenty of players talk about boosting their K3 or Dignics, and not just Hurricane. They also change sheets at most once a week but generally more frequently. DHS gives out a few hundred sheets a year for a reason.

The thing to be asked here is do you need pro-level performance? Are you playing against the top 10 people in the world and that edge will be a deciding factor? Probably not. Plenty of lower level high-level players just stick on rubbers and don't treat them in any way and use those for a few weeks to even a few months.

 

[Tiber1337]

Not sure I agree on the idea that you're gonna get pro-level performance without boosting weekly. The reality of the matter is that everyone is getting rubbers either really pre-boosted, or doing it themselves. Plenty of players talk about boosting their K3 or Dignics, and not just Hurricane. They also change sheets at most once a week but generally more frequently. DHS gives out a few hundred sheets a year for a reason.

The thing to be asked here is do you need pro-level performance? Are you playing against the top 10 people in the world and that edge will be a deciding factor? Probably not. Plenty of lower level high-level players just stick on rubbers and don't treat them in any way and use those for a few weeks to even a few months.

the closest you can get to pro level performance is with stiff high rebound blades , like primorac carbon + hibrid rubbers. Or some other super fast blade with some hinoki top ply.

Softer blades like ALC or SALC , will require you to get non-sticky rubbers, like dignics 05, nuzn 55 etc, which is just worse than primorac carbon + 09c .

I agree most people don't need pro level performing equipment , but say we get close to a high level without being sponsored, its good to know you can get somewhat close equipment wise.
---------

Sidenote: I got my hands on a probably real w968 no.2 , handle is thick , weight is ballanced not on head, control mindblowing . Am testing it more today, perhaps I can give it more speed with stiga helix hybrid rather than 09c

 

[KostovTT]

Get mine S968 which is almost brand new and you will not need to look for anything else - at least is genuine and it is quite nice.

 

[amitmnagarwal]

how is the commercial long 5 on prott, its at 110$ and W968 Nat on prott is 330$

has anyone bought from prott and used ?

 

[Yxoons]

how is the commercial long 5 on prott, its at 110$ and W968 Nat on prott is 330$

has anyone bought from prott and used ?

I've bought multiple from Prott, and have never had any issues with the W968s. Also had one from TT11, and they were the exact same quality and nothing stood out to be fake on the other. You just have to understand they send you an unsorted blade, not specific weight, thickness, quality, frequency and so on. People might also just expect more from the blade, so when they receive it they think it's fake if it plays similar to X blade, doesn't mean it's fake though. It's sad people give them bad reputation and flag them as selling fakes just because they've received a lower QC piece.

 

[wiktor145]

I believe that at this price point there should be no "lower QC pieces"

 

[Yxoons]

I believe that at this price point there should be no "lower QC pieces"

The ones that says they've received fakes has been other blades, like FZD ALC or Golden Tags and not W968s.

 

[Archosaurus]

Part of it could be that pro blades are glued and pressed in a way that degrades greatly in a short time. Some people claim W968 is no good in 6 months of play. So some of them may have been sitting for a while and become relatively un-elastic compared to a fresh production.

 

[amitmnagarwal]

I've bought multiple from Prott, and have never had any issues with the W968s. Also had one from TT11, and they were the exact same quality and nothing stood out to be fake on the other. You just have to understand they send you an unsorted blade, not specific weight, thickness, quality, frequency and so on. People might also just expect more from the blade, so when they receive it they think it's fake if it plays similar to X blade, doesn't mean it's fake though. It's sad people give them bad reputation and flag them as selling fakes just because they've received a lower QC piece.

I think only issue could be experiencing certainty from Prott, that the W968 arriving would be consistent with high quality, DHS is not famous of consistent quality, not sure if prott is ensuring QC to give only checked products to customers.

 

[Tiber1337]

I attached pictures of FZD ALC , look at the top plys, one thicker, one thinner.

Shopped from Prott, you tell me this product passed QC?