How to navigate through Stigas line of 5-ply allwood blades?

[Table10Ice]

Hi,
I'm a relative new table tennis player using a Victas Dyna Five Hard and now I want to try a different brand, Stiga.
What would you suggestions be for me? And how would a "natural" progression look within Stigas line of 5-ply allwood rackets?

I figured that Energy Wood V2 WRB would make a great starting point. Would you recommend it to start out with?

And then progress with either Nostalgic Allround (JP), Offensive Classic or Arctic Wood.

After that I'm onto Nostalgic Offensive or Infinity VPS V and even further in the future the Intensity NCT.

Where on this scale would you place Eternity VPS V and Cybershape Wood?
Of all these models, are some of them very similar to each other and for that reason interchangable? I want to avoid buying visually different blades with similar feel, function and properties.

 

[Table10Ice]

Anyone here who can contribute with their experience and use of said series?

 

[nicedream]

Performance Indices DB – Stiga Blades

Note : All values are average values, and can be updated by further measurement. androAvaloxButterflyDHSDonicJoolaKTSNittakuStigaTibharVictasXiomYasakaYinhe Stiga / Outer NameAvg.Wt (g)EpEcEc/EpVpV…

ttgearlab.com

 

[Jan_]

Start with offensive classic or yasaka sweden extra, then you'll see down the road what you need, IF you ever need anything more. You can't plan your upgrades because it's a sport, you improve organically, you're not a car that this upgrade will do this. You may end up hating euro rubbers and move on to hybrids or tacky, you'll change as you improve.

Energy wood v2 is headheavy
Arctic wood is similar but a bit faster
Nostalgic series is a cashgrab
Infinity and Intensity are opposites, intensity is hard and curvy, infinity is soft and flatter, they're both wicked fast, NOT for beginners
Cybershape is only worth it in carbon, NOT for beginners, it's a rocket ship, the others are overpriced and have cheaper normal versions.

Get one of the 2 blades I said in the start and put on Yasaka MK V. It's not a fast or spinny rubber, but it lasts forever and is perfect for beginners.

 

[Lazer]

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Cheers
L-zr

 

[Tyce]

how would a "natural" progression look within Stigas line of 5-ply allwood rackets?

Since you already have a decent 5-ply wood blade: don't get another one.
If you insist, or your blade is broken, progression would look like this:
- buy the blade that speaks to you most
- end of progression.
I've personally playtested 4-5 different 5-ply wood blades from different manufacturers recently, and unless you're buying something in extreme ends of the spectrum, you can use any and all of those blades to learn *everything* for years and years to come.
Hell, even the more extremely hard/fast ones can be used for the same purpose, just adjust the rubber pairing a little bit.

 

[zeio]

When it comes to Stiga, there are essentially 3 timeless models that serve as the prototypes for all subsequent models (mostly different choice of top plys e.g. hardwood like Ebony; Rosewood; Walnut, and with 2 layers of syntheic fiber added e.g. 5+2; 7+2).

5-ply
Allround Classic (Limba/Ayous/Ayous/Ayous/Limba)
Offensive Classic (Limba/Spruce/Ayous/Spruce/Limba, where Limba replaced Koto in 40mm ball era)

7-ply
Clipper Wood (Limba/Ayous/Ayous/Ayous/Ayous/Ayous/Limba)

5+2
Cybershape Carbon (Koto/Ayous/Carbon/Kiri/Carbon/Ayous/Koto, as given by most sources)

 

[Sims]

Hi,
I'm a relative new table tennis player using a Victas Dyna Five Hard and now I want to try a different brand, Stiga.
What would you suggestions be for me? And how would a "natural" progression look within Stigas line of 5-ply allwood rackets?

I figured that Energy Wood V2 WRB would make a great starting point. Would you recommend it to start out with?

And then progress with either Nostalgic Allround (JP), Offensive Classic or Arctic Wood.

After that I'm onto Nostalgic Offensive or Infinity VPS V and even further in the future the Intensity NCT.

Where on this scale would you place Eternity VPS V and Cybershape Wood?
Of all these models, are some of them very similar to each other and for that reason interchangable? I want to avoid buying visually different blades with similar feel, function and properties.

Id second the advice you've received here so far.
When it comes to blades there's no reason for most beginners to change from an already good blade until you're getting past intermediate stage, know you've got good technique and realise you just need more speed because you're playing league or competition and require it V strong opponents.
Nothing to stop you trying a few different blades of course, most of us do but it's not the case tll that changing blades every year based on the Stiga marketing blurb numbers for their blades will improve your game in any way.
Technique is king really and I see some amazing players use just a basic 5 ply blade and basic stuff like Rakza 7 or similar.
Apart from that I can't really advise you on the Stiga blades except to say that a 7 ply Clipper, if you like it, can last you a decade at least!

 

[h3llary]

Start with offensive classic or yasaka sweden extra, then you'll see down the road what you need, IF you ever need anything more. You can't plan your upgrades because it's a sport, you improve organically, you're not a car that this upgrade will do this. You may end up hating euro rubbers and move on to hybrids or tacky, you'll change as you improve.

Energy wood v2 is headheavy
Arctic wood is similar but a bit faster
Nostalgic series is a cashgrab
Infinity and Intensity are opposites, intensity is hard and curvy, infinity is soft and flatter, they're both wicked fast, NOT for beginners
Cybershape is only worth it in carbon, NOT for beginners, it's a rocket ship, the others are overpriced and have cheaper normal versions.

Get one of the 2 blades I said in the start and put on Yasaka MK V. It's not a fast or spinny rubber, but it lasts forever and is perfect for beginners.

I wonder why do you think cybershape is only worth in carbon? I just saw a review a week ago, one dude compared 3 different cybershapes: CWT carbon, Carbon, and the wood version and he enjoyed wood the most. He said it didn't lack the speed at all and the control was better.

 

[Crillo]

I wonder why do you think cybershape is only worth in carbon? I just saw a review a week ago, one dude compared 3 different cybershapes: CWT carbon, Carbon, and the wood version and he enjoyed wood the most. He said it didn't lack the speed at all and the control was better.

Yeah the Cybershape Wood is great! Its quite thick but the Kiri gives a lot of control and it´s not stiff, lots of hold. Maybe its to fast for a beginner?!

 

[Table10Ice]

Start with offensive classic or yasaka sweden extra, then you'll see down the road what you need, IF you ever need anything more. You can't plan your upgrades because it's a sport, you improve organically, you're not a car that this upgrade will do this. You may end up hating euro rubbers and move on to hybrids or tacky, you'll change as you improve.

Energy wood v2 is headheavy
Arctic wood is similar but a bit faster
Nostalgic series is a cashgrab
Infinity and Intensity are opposites, intensity is hard and curvy, infinity is soft and flatter, they're both wicked fast, NOT for beginners
Cybershape is only worth it in carbon, NOT for beginners, it's a rocket ship, the others are overpriced and have cheaper normal versions.

Get one of the 2 blades I said in the start and put on Yasaka MK V. It's not a fast or spinny rubber, but it lasts forever and is perfect for beginners.

Thank you for the detailed answer!

I also think Offensive Classic would be a good first choice. But why no love for Energy Wood, wouldn't it be even easier to handle for a relative beginner?

Yes, the RRP for the Nostalgic series might be way too high here in EU, but tt-japan are selling them right now for about 40 euros, that's what got me interested in them in the first place.

What is the "normal" version of Cybershape Wood, would you say? I read somewhere that a reviewer opined that the all wood Cybershape should fit a wide range of players, beginners included.

 

[Jan_]

I wonder why do you think cybershape is only worth in carbon? I just saw a review a week ago, one dude compared 3 different cybershapes: CWT carbon, Carbon, and the wood version and he enjoyed wood the most. He said it didn't lack the speed at all and the control was better.

Because there's also a normal round version for 20€ less. The cwt has the weight gimmick so whatever, and the carbon is a plain ol' good blade.

 

[Jan_]

Thank you for the detailed answer!

I also think Offensive Classic would be a good first choice. But why no love for Energy Wood, wouldn't it be even easier to handle for a relative beginner?

Yes, the RRP for the Nostalgic series might be way too high here in EU, but tt-japan are selling them right now for about 40 euros, that's what got me interested in them in the first place.

What is the "normal" version of Cybershape Wood, would you say? I read somewhere that a reviewer opined that the all wood Cybershape should fit a wide range of players, beginners included.

Energy wood has weird feel, not many people like it. You have to try it and see if it suits you because it's light for what it is, headheavy and kinda flimsy.

Nostalgic is also a bit weird because they are hard, heavy, super fast and reactive. They pair well with classic rubbers like yasaka mk v.

I don't know for sure, but I imagine the cyber wood is either the allround evolution or infinity, maybe even a differently coloured oc. Maybe someone knows because I haven't really looked into it.

 

[mightymouse]

If you want to go Stiga route, then this is the "perfect" beginner blade (1st non-premade blade):

Stiga Allround Evolution (Stiga AE)

Why? Stiga Allround Classic used to be a great beginner blade. But in the 40+mm plastic ball era, it is too flexy, thus I opt for Stiga AE.

How about Stiga Offensive Classic? Again, it was a fine blade but in the 40+mm plastic ball era, it is too flexy, so I opt for Stiga AE. Speed wise, Stiga Offensive Classic is only a little bit faster than Stiga AE.

How about Stiga Energy Wood WRB?
Here we are talking about the original Stiga Energy Wood WRB the first original edition (blue handle). Upon discussing this blade in other forums many many years ago, we came to "conclusion" that Stiga Allround Evolution is the same as Stiga Energy Wood WRB. The red ayous stripe on Stiga AE is replaced by blue ayous stripe on Stiga Energy Wood WRB. It has the same dimension and same thickness. The difference is only the WRB handle on Stiga Energy Wood. So you can say that Stiga Energy Wood WRB is the WRB version of Stiga Allround Evolution.

But now, Stiga introduces Stiga Energy Wood V2 WRB (grey handle with metal tag), and it is thicker than the previous model. So, here I can't say that it is the same as Stiga AE anymore. But reading from many forums, Stiga Energy Wood WRB v2 is only slightly faster than Stiga Allround Evolution.

I know people will argue that most of "normal" handle Stiga blades are actually WRB as well. This is true to some degree. But Stiga blades with WRB word on it, has more void / cavity in the handle, compared to the "normal" one. So WRB type will be more head heavy. It is not a bad thing, but it depends on every player's preferences.

I personally like a more balance blade, so I will choose Stiga Allround Evolution over Stiga Energy Wood WRB V2.

How about later?

Well, use Stiga Allround Evolution first for few years, and until you know what you like (style of play, etc.) then there are other excellent Stiga blades (from slower to faster):

Stiga Celero Wood
Stiga Arctic Wood
Stiga Intensity
Stiga Infinity vps

Then, the masterpiece: Stiga Clipper Wood.

I would go with Stiga Allround Evolution first, and then you can switch to Stiga Clipper Wood. They have the same feeling because of the composition:

Stiga AE: limba - ayous - ayous - ayous - limba
Stiga Clipper Wood: limba - ayous - ayous - ayous -ayous - ayous -limba

I am talking about the feeling here, not the stiffness. Being a 7-ply allwood blade, Stiga Clipper is stiffer compared to Stiga AE. However, this is the odd thing, I notice that although Stiga Clipper is faster in the medium and hard strokes, but for short game, it is not bouncy, similar to Stiga AE. So you can control it well (assuming you have improved well).

But why Stiga? There are other fine blades from other manufacturers.

I hope my 2 cents are helpful.

 

[Lazer]

If you want to go Stiga route, then this is the "perfect" beginner blade (1st non-premade blade):

Stiga Allround Evolution (Stiga AE)

Why? Stiga Allround Classic used to be a great beginner blade. But in the 40+mm plastic ball era, it is too flexy, thus I opt for Stiga AE.

How about Stiga Offensive Classic? Again, it was a fine blade but in the 40+mm plastic ball era, it is too flexy, so I opt for Stiga AE. Speed wise, Stiga Offensive Classic is only a little bit faster than Stiga AE.

How about Stiga Energy Wood WRB?
Here we are talking about the original Stiga Energy Wood WRB the first original edition (blue handle). Upon discussing this blade in other forums many many years ago, we came to "conclusion" that Stiga Allround Evolution is the same as Stiga Energy Wood WRB. The red ayous stripe on Stiga AE is replaced by blue ayous stripe on Stiga Energy Wood WRB. It has the same dimension and same thickness. The difference is only the WRB handle on Stiga Energy Wood. So you can say that Stiga Energy Wood WRB is the WRB version of Stiga Allround Evolution.

But now, Stiga introduces Stiga Energy Wood V2 WRB (grey handle with metal tag), and it is thicker than the previous model. So, here I can't say that it is the same as Stiga AE anymore. But reading from many forums, Stiga Energy Wood WRB v2 is only slightly faster than Stiga Allround Evolution.

I know people will argue that most of "normal" handle Stiga blades are actually WRB as well. This is true to some degree. But Stiga blades with WRB word on it, has more void / cavity in the handle, compared to the "normal" one. So WRB type will be more head heavy. It is not a bad thing, but it depends on every player's preferences.

I personally like a more balance blade, so I will choose Stiga Allround Evolution over Stiga Energy Wood WRB V2.

How about later?

Well, use Stiga Allround Evolution first for few years, and until you know what you like (style of play, etc.) then there are other excellent Stiga blades (from slower to faster):

Stiga Celero Wood
Stiga Arctic Wood
Stiga Intensity
Stiga Infinity vps

Then, the masterpiece: Stiga Clipper Wood.

I would go with Stiga Allround Evolution first, and then you can switch to Stiga Clipper Wood. They have the same feeling because of the composition:

Stiga AE: limba - ayous - ayous - ayous - limba
Stiga Clipper Wood: limba - ayous - ayous - ayous -ayous - ayous -limba

I am talking about the feeling here, not the stiffness. Being a 7-ply allwood blade, Stiga Clipper is stiffer compared to Stiga AE. However, this is the odd thing, I notice that although Stiga Clipper is faster in the medium and hard strokes, but for short game, it is not bouncy, similar to Stiga AE. So you can control it well (assuming you have improved well).

But why Stiga? There are other fine blades from other manufacturers.

I hope my 2 cents are helpful.

I agree with this, but in reality it’s not much difference between allround classic and allround eco… You may sometimes get a classic that’s faster than an evo…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Table10Ice]

Yeah the Cybershape Wood is great! Its quite thick but the Kiri gives a lot of control and it´s not stiff, lots of hold. Maybe its to fast for a beginner?!

ttgearlab writes:

"Thanks to its moderate elasticity and soft feeling, ‘Cybershape Wood’ can be the perfect solution for entry level players." https://ttgearlab.com/2023/04/04/stiga-cybershape-series-lab-test/

So my conclusion is that it would work just fine for beginners, wouldn't it?

 

[Crillo]

Thank you for the detailed answer!

I also think Offensive Classic would be a good first choice. But why no love for Energy Wood, wouldn't it be even easier to handle for a relative beginner?

Yes, the RRP for the Nostalgic series might be way too high here in EU, but tt-japan are selling them right now for about 40 euros, that's what got me interested in them in the first place.

What is the "normal" version of Cybershape Wood, would you say? I read somewhere that a reviewer opined that the all wood Cybershape should fit a wide range of players, beginners included.

I don´t think there is a normal version unfortunately. If there is I want to know to!

 

[zeio]

Just grab the Cybershape Allround Classic for starters if the Cybershape series piques your interest. Cybershape Wood looks to have the same construction as the Cybershape Carbon except for the 2 layers of synthetic fiber. The latter 2 will feel and play differently.

https://www.stigasports.com/en/category/table-tennis/table-tennis-blades

 

[Caravenav]

I'm Penholder short pips RPB and I have played with Infinity VPS and Nostalgic VII (current blade).

Both are very thin but a bit weird is that Nostalgic VII is heavy (92+-gr) for a penhold blade.

Infinity gives you more feeling (vibration) when you hit the ball and more control. I would say that is an all-around blade, but if you like to play with topspin, loop, and feel the contact ball-rubber blade, it is really good, but a bit slow for my game (I'm a hitter and not too much topspin). I think it fits with almost any kind of rubber's hardness, but I wouldn't use something too soft.

Nostalgic VII is more a hitter blade, nice sound, is faster, a bit hard and you feel less vibration than Infinity, I play RPB but my main backhand is like traditional penhold therefore, I have rubber in the backhand (Thibar MXP, not the hard version) but that combination I think that is not so good if you like the feeling of the ball, MXP-Nostalgic VII will be a bit hard.