Flared(FL) or Straight(ST)?

[ToH]

When i started to play my two first blades was ST handle. But i could never get a good grip. I started to use FL handles and it was better, but my search for a handle that wasnt to thin made me buy a new blade every month (close to). By TTgearlab most flared handles are thicker. Not only at the end, but all the way. I tried several anatomic handles, but altough they where wider, they was not thicker. Even thinner than st handles for some reason. Now i realise that if the handle is more than 23,15 mm thick at the index finger, the grip is ok. And the wider the better.

 

[Tyce]

I have always been using FL but more out of habit and availability than anything else.
Had an anatomic one and that was just not right. And the only ST I played was way too small, yet I'm sure I would have gotten used to it over time.

I think hand size, but even more so hand shape plays a role here. Some people have quite straight knuckles, others have a pronounced arch, and that's not even topping at the middle finger for everyone.
I like a thumb bevel that's sanded sloped towards the thumb like some old fashioned blades used to have. Eventually I'll be modifying my main blades with that too.

As for general shape, something convex might actually be interesting, filling the hand well just like my woodworking knives.

 

[PhoenixTT]

I guess I've missed something...
It's true that ERT's popularity has declined (i don't see any his videos anymore becoming popular anymore) but I haven't read something about him. What you mean "his reputation now"? Has anything become known about him? Because in all his videos, he never revealed his identity...

Another way to say it is "I now know of his reputation". Nothing sinister, only that I looked upon him as an authority only much later to learn that he's not highly regarded in several forums.

 

[KM1976]

Started from FL handle, went to ST handle, now I can switch between both with minimum adjustments as I have both ST and FL handle blades in my collection. I figured it is my grip and not the handle shape which is important.

 

[S2000]

These are interesting points. I wonder however, if there ist really a causality there. And if it actually matters for other than top players. I know I find myself thinking »I play more like that and that European player«, thus motivating why I prefer ST. I have also experienced trying a handle from a friend thinking it does not feel god, but after 2 minutes of actual playing, I forgot all about it.

I think size of hands is also important. Flared is at least for my hand difficult since it gets locked into the hand. I have not small hands glove size 10-11. Straight one must train with a few sessions before you get the hold of. Otherwise, some people feel like they will drop the bat.

 

[PoppaChubby]

I think size of hands is also important. Flared is at least for my hand difficult since it gets locked into the hand. I have not small hands glove size 10-11. Straight one must train with a few sessions before you get the hold of. Otherwise, some people feel like they will drop the bat.

Exactly, that's why I've been using mostly Donic Senso straight blades, rounder shape and smaller footprint in your hand (got small hands, goes with my 163cm tall hahaha). The old Tibhar straight handles were oval and damn large, too large for me. Stiga was way more easier to handle. But since at least a decade now Tibhar have made more rounder shaped straight handles, so I'm back to them.

 

[S2000]

Exactly, that's why I've been using mostly Donic Senso straight blades, rounder shape and smaller footprint in your hand (got small hands, goes with my 163cm tall hahaha). The old Tibhar straight handles were oval and damn large, too large for me. Stiga was way more easier to handle. But since at least a decade now Tibhar have made more rounder shaped straight handles, so I'm back to them.

In other words give us s larger selection of handles since we are not all clones 😂

 

[exotick]

Was playing FL on FZD ALC but tried ST on Mizutani ZLC and felt more comfortable, especially transitioning from BH to FH. Not sure if i should switch to that blade now or try FZD with ST handle..

 

[Arkady]

I always liked the FL handle. For some reason the ST, never felt right in my hand.

 

[Equaaz]

I used to be straight handle fanatic. But as my technique has been changing and developing over the past few years I have been favoring flared handles

@Scarfed Garchomp Oh ! You play with Stiga Pure, Would you be willing to tell me about this blade and compare it to others you've tried, please?

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Oh ! You play with Stiga Pure, Would you be willing to tell me about this blade and compare it to others you've tried, please?

Sure! I've said it before but Pure is essentially just a slightly thinner Clipper. Pure is a typical middle thickness (~6.4mm) 7 ply wood, not as aggressive as Clipper but a bit stiffer and more direct than blades like Swat (~5.8mm)/PG7 (~6.2mm). What I like about Pure is that it is more flexible and develops arc easier than conventional 7 ply blades like Clipper, but is stiffer with better support than 5 ply wood blades like OffensiveS and Stratus Powerwood

 

[S2000]

I have always been using FL but more out of habit and availability than anything else.
Had an anatomic one and that was just not right. And the only ST I played was way too small, yet I'm sure I would have gotten used to it over time.

I think hand size, but even more so hand shape plays a role here. Some people have quite straight knuckles, others have a pronounced arch, and that's not even topping at the middle finger for everyone.
I like a thumb bevel that's sanded sloped towards the thumb like some old fashioned blades used to have. Eventually I'll be modifying my main blades with that too.

As for general shape, something convex might actually be interesting, filling the hand well just like my woodworking knives.

I agree handshake is important but so is size. I have found that most flared really get locked in my hand, i.e. the ends imply get stuck. I can play with most straight I have tested. My preferred is though Donic Anatomic as done for the Waldner 2016 offensive but also the A from yasaka ML extra offensive - when the wings been sanded down - both fit and size makes that necessary for me. I played some years ago with flared but I simply couldn't get as wide range of motions as with ST or AN handles. Stigas old AN though does not fit me - too small and wrong placement of the bulb.

I agree that a handle with bulb tapering off would be really interesting.

 

[DrFA]

I'm using FL on both of my setups just because one of the them (Aurora Shield Hex) only comes in FL & CS, and the other one was a gift from my club.

Had been using Joola Falcon Fast (ST) before these and miss that alot.

 

[victormanriquey]

started focusing on gripping more through pinching with the index and thumb, and found that flared handles support a more relaxed grip, and nowadays when I try straight handles I feel like I need a more pronounced fh-bh grip transition to comfortably hit effective shots than if I were using a flared handle

This is why I also prefer FL, index usually doesn't change that much (moves a bit higher on FH) and it's just thumb changing, I really like FL handles especially from DHS

 

[Archosaurus]

Flared, because my grip is relaxed, so I'd like the bat to not fly out of my hand. I'm planning to buy a cheap ST blade some time and try it again, though. It may have some advantages for backhand.

 

[tt-clips]

Yeah flared FTW!

 

[vanjr]

As the great Paula Abdul sang:

STRAIGHT up now tell me, do you to love me forever (oh, oh, oh)
Or am I caught in a hit and run
STRAIGHT up no tell me, do you really want to love me forever (oh, oh, oh)
Or you just having FUN?

 

[KM1976]

Preferences on handle types depends on your grip and playing style. I have ST as well as FL blades, and I can switch between both now. But I prefer ST handles as I have a more backhand oriented grip. Nevertheless, your mileage may vary and you should choose whatever feels natural in your hands.

 

[ajtatosmano2]

I only played with a straight Clipper, all my other blades were flared. I didn't really experience problems with the grip, I just think flared looks cooler. Also, the resell value might be a bit better as more players prefer flared.

 

[Peppa Pig]

I've always played FL, but for the past six months I've been playing ST, and it's hard for me to say which one I prefer... I'd say the ST fits more naturally in the hand, and it's a bit easier to maneuver the blade when changing the FH-BH grip slightly. I also think the block feels more natural. But when playing FH topspin, I'm often afraid it might slip out of my hand, specialy when it's wet. I think the optimal grip for me would be just a slightly tapered handle, but not as narrow as a typical FL, probably it's so called connical (CO) but it's rare these days. I even thought about polishing the handle a bit, but I'm a bit afraid to do it because I'm not sure if I'll actually like CO or if I just think I will...but maybe a good idea is to buy some cheap ST blade and try it out before.