Blade for Defensive player for blocking

[gui]

I am a defensive player; I don't play chop and I play close to the table, blocking.

I was using the Sanwei Defence Alpha, which is very slow both on the long pips Grass DTecs backhand and the H3 dhs forehand.

Recently, I switched to a Diode V, which is noticeably faster, but the backhand control is still the same or even slightly better than my previous one, which seems odd.

I would like to know if you have more opinions on defensive blades for close-to-the-table players.

Classic - shakehand grip

 

[Zezima]

I don´t know about best blocking blades much but all I know is Rakza 7 is the best blocking rubber I have played with. But for blocking I can see you want a very stiff blade but I could be wrong. Just put on some non spin sensitive rubbers and you are good to go for that playstyle. Rest is practise practise practise.

 

[lodro]

tsp blockman II is the best. It is a Victas product made in japan

 

[gui]

tsp blockman II is the best. It is a Victas product made in japan

Did you test Sanwei Defence Alpha?

 

[lodro]

Did you test Sanwei Defence Alpha?

nope, have not.
Features: Innovative vertical core, Linba wood surface material, chopping style, defensive bottom plate
do you know what the innovative vertical core is ?

 

[gui]

nope, have not.
Features: Innovative vertical core, Linba wood surface material, chopping style, defensive bottom plate
do you know what the innovative vertical core is ?

I dont no. And about a Diode Pro?

 

[gui]

More opinions?

 

[haggisv]

tsp blockman II is the best. It is a Victas product made in japan

It is a great blade, not sure if it's still made though. I used this blade for several years, also with Dtecs OX on the backhand like the OP. It's not a slow blade though, probably not far of the speed of the Diode V. Eventually I gave it up because it was a little too fast for blocking with OX, while the speed was great for my attacking forehand.

I think the choice of blade depends a lot on whether you'd like to take the pace off the ball, or whether you want to block/hit aggressively. So ask yourself what's more important to you?

Note also that 'defensive blades' are so-named because they are designed for a defensive style, they are NOT all slow blades. For example the Joo Se Hyuk blade is a defensive blade, but it's speed rated at about OFF, which is not slow at all.

 

[Ultravisitor]

For close to the table blocking you want hard outer plys. Koto or harder. Many ox players in my area swear on balsa cores.

Donic Cayman
Spinlord carbon strike
Victas balsa 3.5/4.5

These are common here in Germany with pimple blockers

 

[gui]

It is a great blade, not sure if it's still made though. I used this blade for several years, also with Dtecs OX on the backhand like the OP. It's not a slow blade though, probably not far of the speed of the Diode V. Eventually I gave it up because it was a little too fast for blocking with OX, while the speed was great for my attacking forehand.

I think the choice of blade depends a lot on whether you'd like to take the pace off the ball, or whether you want to block/hit aggressively. So ask yourself what's more important to you?

Note also that 'defensive blades' are so-named because they are designed for a defensive style, they are NOT all slow blades. For example the Joo Se Hyuk blade is a defensive blade, but it's speed rated at about OFF, which is not slow at all.

Thanks!

I am playing blocking close the Table. From my opinion and tests, slow blades generate more backspin when block in LP OX.

Diode V it is clearly reduce backspin when block because It is fast, there is a control but i would not like to loss this backspin when blocking.

 

[haggisv]

I am playing blocking close the Table. From my opinion and tests, slow blades generate more backspin when block in LP OX.

Diode V it is clearly reduce backspin when block because It is fast, there is a control but i would not like to loss this backspin when blocking.

Slower & softer blades have less 'spin reversal', but you return more backspin with a chop-block action. Faster blades like the Diode V has more spin reversal, but because the ball bounces off more quickly it's harder to add your own spin, which can result in less backspin. Finding the right balance is quite subjective and very much related to your skill level and the level at which you play.

 

[gui]

Slower & softer blades have less 'spin reversal', but you return more backspin with a chop-block action. Faster blades like the Diode V has more spin reversal, but because the ball bounces off more quickly it's harder to add your own spin, which can result in less backspin. Finding the right balance is quite subjective and very much related to your skill level and the level at which you play.

I use much chop block action in top spin and push in back spin, classic blockerman

 

[lodro]

It is a great blade, not sure if it's still made though.

It is still made and sold but of course now with the Victas name. The laminate looks the same as mine but they "modernized" the handle a bit.

 

[gui]

It is still made and sold but of course now with the Victas name. The laminate looks the same as mine but they "modernized" the handle a bit.
View attachment 32460

Did you use? Can you compare with others blades?

 

[lodro]

Did you use? Can you compare with others blades?

I did use it when I had my "defensive phase" and then found that I was too old and unfit for all the "jumping about". I still got it and sometimes take it to the club as a nostalgia trip event. Now I use it with Hurricane H3 on FH and Friendship 820-40 on BH.

During this phase I had a couple of Sanwei blades and a Yinhe i think it was J-2 with cork handle. Similar to this: https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1644151309.jpg

No, they do not compare to the Blockman

 

[gui]

I did use it when I had my "defensive phase" and then found that I was too old and unfit for all the "jumping about".
During this phase I had a couple of Sanwei blades and a Yinhe i think it was J-2 with cork handle. Similar to this: https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1644151309.jpg

No, they do not compare to the Blockman

I used Sanwei defense alpha

 

[belllfador]

Think here is the best place to drop some impressions from Victas Blockman.

Weight 76.2g

Thickness 6.65mm

Frequency 1230Hz

Composition ayous ayous? cedar core

Stiffness above average 5 ply blade, similar to Dr. N Gladiator (1250Hz) and Yinhe 980 (1230Hz)

Speed DEF to ALL- similar with Gladiator, less than 980

Sweet spot above average, but less than Gladiator

Dwell time - very high, bigger than Gladiator, less than Innershield ZLF (960Hz).

Blockman is noob friendly blade with high spin capabilities for chopping and pushing near the table. Due to low speed, defending is easy with this blade. Loops can lack power, but are spin loaded to the roof. IMO the name can be misleading, blocking is not the strongest aspect. Blades with high dwell time are more spin sensible in passive blocking. So, the choice of rubbers can fix or multiply this weakness. For example, better blocking blades are Matador Titan and Texa Carbon, stiffer, faster and with a bigger sweet spot. Cheap alternative to the Blockman could be 980, same ayous top, faster and with a bigger head.