Grade this cut

I don't like edge tape either. But I don't care about whether the rubber is close cut or has an overhang. I just don't care about the edge. And breaking a ball with the edge is not an issue I would worry about. If it happens, it kind of means your timing is a hair early because I don't think you can catch the tip and break the ball and I don't think you can catch the back edge. If you contact the ball with the leading edge, you are just a hair early on your contact. Not a big deal. But it should happen less and less as you train more.

All that being said, everyone has the right to choose what they care about and what they don't. I know that after a certain # of hours training, my racket (blade and rubbers) are going to be beat up no matter what I do. So, it does not make much difference to me. And I kind of like the look of a blade that has been through battle and shows the scars.

Originally Posted by Zwill

Hmm, I think ball breaking edge hits are because of being late. They happen during a topspin especially during rally when there is really not much time to "time" your shot well and you need to give your swing great power.

Also wobbly balls also tremendously help with edge hits. I know some bloody long pip defenders who specially select the most wobbly balls when they play (on home turf). Or if they are on the opponents turf they intentionally ruin the balls by squeezing them tightly with their thumb and weakening the material...

You are right, late....not early.

Looks like Carl just got the Las Vegas Raiders to slide down his Krackhouse #13 trap door...

Originally Posted by The_TT_Bat_Guy

I like the idea of using edge tape to help provide a guide to cut a clean overhang. I might try it since I tend to have lots of sponge edge tape around - so I'd only need to apply it once before removing it after (or just leaving it on depending on the customer).

I don't mind those extra grams due to overhang :-).

Originally Posted by matti77

How often do one break the ball with the edge? Why don't you like edge tape?

every side you cut you cut off 2 or 3 segments. His cut is descent.

Originally Posted by lodro

not mentioned yet is the problem of peeling back the overhanging rubbers when having to dig out a slow ,short ball .
Ruining a ball ???? Who cares !!!! there is always another ball 😁

Now, if there would be an edge tape that can prevent serious damage to my blade edge (mainly in double-plays) I would indeed fit them.
I am however yet to find such a tape.

There are plastic/carbon fiber, or even metal edge tapes here on the Chinese market, and they are reusable too!

Originally Posted by PingBirdPong

There are plastic/carbon fiber, or even metal edge tapes here on the Chinese market, and they are reusable too!

please dig out and post some websites where one can purchase these edgetapes, especially the reusable ones.
On some of my blades i still have some fiber-reinforced tape fitted but even they are an illusion when it comes to prevent real damage when
one hits the edge of the table, the partners blade or as also mentioned the partners bum 😁

Also mentioned here was the fact that edgetape influences the character of the blade. I know that Timo Boll has also said something to that effect.
Now my personal opinion is : Unless you are the princess who can feel the pea through 7 mattresses it might well be a load of bollocks. 😁
But wait a minute. If I would fit an edgetape made from metal or carbon fiber, then YES, this would most definitely influence the behavior of the blade.
It would make it stiffer for a start.

Finish with my rant...............you can all start shooting

Originally Posted by Zwill

................................................................... Or if they are on the opponents turf they intentionally ruin the balls by squeezing them tightly with their thumb and weakening the material...

Interesting and big thanks for that observation.
Something to look out for in future.