Central Blade Thread (EJ welcome)

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Does the D715 and Pro-01 have the same dimensions on their handles? In shape they look very similar, as far as I can tell from pictures.

D715 has a bigger handle, from memory. I don't have my Pro01 anymore. The D715 has a pretty large handle

 

[Julzig]

Hey, after a few months of playing semi actively I wanted to give my thoughts on the Stiga Surge Hybrid Carbon.
Since I dont want to write a proper review and just splatter some thoughts, I will write here.

So I got this blade to be my substitution for the Xiom Ice Cream AZXi I played with for 4+ years, I believe. So I was looking for an inner Carbon blade with sufficent Power, decent quality and a slim-ish handle. All for a decent price. I came across the Stiga Surge. Reviews said it is great aswell, kinda like a DHS w968 but slightly better balance and since I kept looking at it I just impulse bought it.

My Stiga Surge
87-88g
Sealed once
158x152 head
6mm thick
Hz I forgot sorry

Now how does it play? Pretty good not gonna lie. It is fast, control is rather good, more on the stiff side I believe and due to the bigger head and 2 D05 it is slightly head heavy. I struggle a bit to get very spinny shots consistently, the increased thickness and stiffness is something I still have to get used to. The feel of it is a little soft and mushy initially which I kinda dont like, only when you hit towards the carbon layers and core it gets a very crisp feel. Maybe with harder rubbers this feeling would be better for me. I can see Chinese rubbers fitting well to counter the softness, which I will try in the future.
With my BH I hit a lot into the net. Something about how the ball is held and ejected messes with me.
I need more time with the blade but I think it is very capable. And had some days where I played pretty decently.

The handle looks beautiful, but for 2 days only. But this was to be expected with that color. It has an oval shape with a strong flare, but overall average in thickness. It is slighty rough aswell and the metal inlay might bug some people. Not my favorite handle I must admit, but also not the worst.
I just think the AZXi has a perfect handle.

Things I consider doing to improve the blade for me:
Get some balancers
Try harder feeling rubbers
Sand the handle to be more smooth

Still I miss my old blade. And I constantly want to go back, even though I didnt give the Stiga a long enough chance. Lets see how I will perform in real matches soon. If I continue to fail miserably, well then I go to my old blade where I have an old D05 and Zyre03 and hope It wont fall apart. (And keep on losing probably )

Would apreciate your thoughts on the blade aswell to understand it better. Thank you

 

[Julzig]

Little update: I started to really like it.
I have gotten used to the feel and balance it offers and my shot quality is back to how it used to be. Sanded the handle a little.
Im actually at the point where the my old blade feels odd. Still I will try other rubbers in the future, because two Dignigs is too expensive.
The Surge stays my main blade!

 

[Magic_M]

My Stiga Surge
87-88g
158x152 head
6mm thick

Are you sure about the head size?
I have 3 of these blades and all of them have a head size of 158 x 150 mm.

 

[Magic_M]

Little update: I started to really like it.
I have gotten used to the feel and balance it offers and my shot quality is back to how it used to be.
Im actually at the point where the my old blade feels odd. Still I will try other rubbers in the future, because two Dignigs is too expensive.
The Surge stays my main blade!

Very good decision. I tested hundreds of blades in my life and the Surge is definitely one of the best for me.
You are right: harder rubbers fit very good to this blade. My personal favourite for the backhand is the Dingis 09C.
Neo H3 Prov. OS (40°) or Zyre 03 are good options for the forehand.
If you want to save some money: Loki Rxton 9 and 7 also fit really good to the Surge.

 

[Julzig]

Very good decision. I tested hundreds of blades in my life and the Surge is definitely one of the best for me.
You are right: harder rubbers fit very good to this blade. My personal favourite for the backhand is the Dingis 09C.
Neo H3 Prov. OS (40°) or Zyre 03 are good options for the forehand.
If you want to save some money: Loki Rxton 9 and 7 also fit really good to the Surge.

Thank you for the recommendations! I was thinking H3 Neo or other Chinese style rubbers such as Quanshibao F1 for FH. For BH either stick with a Dignics or something similar and light. I try to aim for 100-120 Euros in the end and below 100g of combined weight.

Are you sure about the head size?
I have 3 of these blades and all of them have a head size of 158 x 150 mm.

I measured just now and it is more towards 158 x 151-152 mm (Rubbers and edgetape are on so lets just say 151 mm). I wrote 158 x 152 mm because this is what I remembered reading somewhere as official size. Same goes for thickness. Cant find that information anymore so it might even be wrong. Since I was looking at many different chinese media to find any information it might have been wrong translation or false memory on my end.
Gan on YT states 159 x 151 mm as its size.