From Yasaka Sweden Extra to Premade to Viscaria – Am I Ready?

[coolchap]

Hello Friends,


Some background:

Old Setup:

• Blade: Yasaka Sweden Extra
• Backhand: Yasaka Mark V (1.8mm)
• Forehand: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (2.15mm)

Before COVID, I used to play regularly—around 2–3 hours a day. But since then, I haven’t been consistent. Now that I’m getting back into the game and have been playing for 2-3 months 2 days per week (2 hours each). Some colleagues suggested upgrading my blade, so I removed the old rubbers and never got new one as of yet. I’ve been playing with a premade paddle since then, which surprisingly offers good control. However, I never bought a new setup because I was unsure about what kind of blade would suit me.


Based on suggestions from players in this forum, I tried out whatever paddles I could get my hands on. I tested two setups:

1. YINHE T11S
   • Backhand: Rakza 7
   • Forehand: Tibhar MX-P
     (also tried switching sides)
2. Butterfly Viscaria
   • Forehand: Dignics 05
   • Backhand: Dignics 09C

I played with both setups for about 20 minutes each. Both were very fast, and initially, the ball kept flying off the table. My technique isn’t great (as confirmed by some video reviews and self-assessment), but I found myself slowly adjusting to the Viscaria. When I focused on brushing the ball, I started landing shots more consistently.

The YINHE T11S felt completely unsuitable for me—whether it was the blade, the rubbers, or both, I’m not sure—but I didn’t enjoy it.

All this time, I’ve been debating whether I should go for a wooden blade or try an inner carbon blade (which I haven’t had a chance to test yet). However, after trying the Viscaria, I’m quite drawn to it.


At the same time, I’m questioning myself—am I overestimating my level? Even at my peak, I was only winning at the 1200 level. Can I really handle a blade like the Viscaria?


Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Hello Friends,


Some background:

Old Setup:

• Blade: Yasaka Sweden Extra
• Backhand: Yasaka Mark V (1.8mm)
• Forehand: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (2.15mm)

Before COVID, I used to play regularly—around 2–3 hours a day. But since then, I haven’t been consistent. Now that I’m getting back into the game and have been playing for 2-3 months 2 days per week (2 hours each). Some colleagues suggested upgrading my blade, so I removed the old rubbers and never got new one as of yet. I’ve been playing with a premade paddle since then, which surprisingly offers good control. However, I never bought a new setup because I was unsure about what kind of blade would suit me.


Based on suggestions from players in this forum, I tried out whatever paddles I could get my hands on. I tested two setups:

1. YINHE T11S
   • Backhand: Rakza 7
   • Forehand: Tibhar MX-P
     (also tried switching sides)
2. Butterfly Viscaria
   • Forehand: Dignics 05
   • Backhand: Dignics 09C

I played with both setups for about 20 minutes each. Both were very fast, and initially, the ball kept flying off the table. My technique isn’t great (as confirmed by some video reviews and self-assessment), but I found myself slowly adjusting to the Viscaria. When I focused on brushing the ball, I started landing shots more consistently.

The YINHE T11S felt completely unsuitable for me—whether it was the blade, the rubbers, or both, I’m not sure—but I didn’t enjoy it.

All this time, I’ve been debating whether I should go for a wooden blade or try an inner carbon blade (which I haven’t had a chance to test yet). However, after trying the Viscaria, I’m quite drawn to it.


At the same time, I’m questioning myself—am I overestimating my level? Even at my peak, I was only winning at the 1200 level. Can I really handle a blade like the Viscaria?


Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Viscaria is quite stiff, I don't think it really is good for developing feeling and proper technique of grabbing the ball.

I would recommend something with more dwell time like the Fang Bo B2 or 75 inner

 

[Tyce]

Here's the thing: with every new blade, you're first going to have to get used to a new brush/speed ratio. Half an hour or so will be a good amount of time to adjust to the basics. So by that time, you start getting used to it and you are feeding yourself success hormones, good feels. This is the honeymoon period.
But, you've only taken the first step in growing into a blade. Don't expect subsequent steps to feel as exhilarating, and do expect to encounter your first gripes and nags about the blade within a week or so.

Writing off the T11S makes sense. It's a balsa/carbon blade, and that's quite the acquired taste. Balsa's kick is unique, as is its super light weight, making for a very specific experience. So you know you don't like that, good! Forget it and move on.

Now that we've got that out of the way, let's focus on Viscaria and whether you are "worthy" of it:

The general, old-fashioned, consensus buzzing around most coaches and players with longer experience (or those taught by coaches with longer experience) is that you need to use slower equipment to develop your strokes.
The point being, if your equipment is making you hold back, even just a little bit, you will develop with tension and doubt rather than confidence and looseness.

Alternatively, there are those, especially after the introduction of the 40mm and subsequently the plastic 40+ ball, who advocate using a carbon blade as soon as possible. Their point being, you're going to need to switch to a fiber-reinforced blade at some point to keep up with the power game. The earlier you make that switch, the more you can get used to it, and the less you'll have to re-learn when you do eventually make that switch.

The contemporary game is focused on power. Sure, but that goes for the higher ranks, not for the amateur population. Just look at yourself, you've been playing with Mark V which is considered completely obsolete by high level players, but I see lots of that in my leagues. Guess what, it works for people who are used to it.

Also consider, Viscaria is not a magic wand. It's not a 900 BHP race car with an insanely sensitive setup. It's a blade, made for table tennis, and it's a best seller for decades. You've tried it on for size now, and you've seen a little bit of how it plays.
Lastly, you've been playing Viscaria with Dignics. Fast rubber, fast blade. Coming from your YSE with Mark V (slow, pre-tensor) and H3 Neo (tacky, linear, slow at slow speeds), the characteristics of it (Viscaria/Dignics) are completely different. More bounce (ball shoots off the table), less dwell time to induce spin (when you really focus on brushing the ball well, it comes alive) but none of this is necessarily bad, it's different.
Pair the same (Viscaria) blade with more controlled rubbers (Vega Pro/X on FH, Vega Europe on BH) and you have a combination that plays similarly in spirit to the Viscaria setup you tried, but is easier to get to grips with and build confidence.

Now we've got the matter of context. Do you have coaching available to you? Do you play multiple times per week? Is there someone or somewhere you can go to help you develop your skills using your material?
If not, getting a Viscaria will basically be like buying that race car and using it for a commute. By that I mean it's fine if you like that kind of thing, but you could do the same with a lot less car and be more comfortable.
Priorities! What do you want? Play with a band of colleagues? Or do you want to play for rankings, tournaments maybe? Honestly, if you don't see yourself developing into formal competitive play, I can tell you all I want about development and blah, but in the end your personal taste will be all that matters. I will warn you, though, if you do get into coaching, and you come in wielding a Viscaria/Dignics setup, you can expect the coach to tell you to dust off your YSE and put some controlled rubber on it.

This was all as objective as possible. My personal opinion, having watched your video with the premade, is that you play like you're wielding a premade. It gives "more control" because you have less factors to worry about, but also less factors to use and employ. It's dumbed-down table tennis.
Viscaria could force you to develop good brush contact. I like that idea, partly because I'm doing something similar, but I have been coached and trained in technique for years as a kid (and it still has so many flaws).
It could also turn out to be a very frustrating experience, because you can't let your guard down. It takes a lot of focus to (learn to) use such a direct blade in competition, so expect yourself to slip up and when you do, it's going to be rough (like winning a game, then getting 11-3'd). I cannot afford myself to play less hours now. I have to build that trust and automate playing this fast blade. That's a lot of commitment for a pastime.
My advice: get some better rubbers on that YSE (Vega Pro/X and Vega Europe are cheap, good recommendations). Try that for 6 months. You can always develop towards a Viscaria after that. Do NOT get a different blade besides your current YSE and your goal Viscaria. Blades take too long to get used to them up to the point where it's automatic. I have too many blades and sincerely regret it.

 

[boretennis]

My advice: get some better rubbers on that YSE (Vega Pro/X and Vega Europe are cheap, good recommendations). Try that for 6 months. You can always develop towards a Viscaria after that. Do NOT get a different blade besides your current YSE and your goal Viscaria. Blades take too long to get used to them up to the point where it's automatic. I have too many blades and sincerely regret it.

+1

 

[Lazer]

I would change the blade and keep the rubbers...
Then depending on how it goes I would change rubbers next time around..,

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Tyce]

I would change the blade and keep the rubbers...
Then depending on how it goes I would change rubbers next time around..,

Cheers
L-zr

Great option too, of course. I assumed using the same rubber wasn't an option.

 

[coolchap]

I can always get the same rubbers again if needed, but my previous ones have worn out and have already been removed.

That said, I definitely want to explore other rubbers besides the Mark V.


@Tyce , I truly appreciate your detailed response — it was a pleasant surprise to see the effort you put into explaining everything so thoroughly.


After reading through it multiple times, I've decided to stay away from the Viscaria for now. However, I'm still quite interested in trying an inner carbon blade. Currently, I’m narrowing down my options to two: the Fang Bo B2X and the Donic Anders Lind blade. But have no one in my known circle to try. Only option is to buy myself and try. So kinda still contemplating.

 

[chinacurious]

Have you thought about Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon or Soft Carbon? They are a smaller step up compared to the ones you mentioned and also not very expensive.

 

[WingTT]

If you play at a club, there is a good chance some of your club members have the types of setups you might be interested in. Most people will be willing to let you try their setup if you are polite and are careful with their equipment. Take the opportunity to try as many different types of rackets you can to get a feel for what might work for you.

 

[coolchap]

Currently playing with few colleagues who are pretty good and they play at clubs. But I am yet to go back to club. Before COVID era, I did play at a club where I have had the luxury to try blades may be but was too early in my career to worry about that.