Improved the Petr Korbel (Japanese version) Head heavy, thin handle (fixed with tweaks)

[steve888]

Hi,
I have had the Petr Korbel blade for about a month.
I loved the control and feel of the blade, but was feeling the head and blade were a bit heavy (188g) and handle a bit thin (182mm all round thinnest part, vs Primorac 185mm). I was finding I was doing quite a few mishits and was not as confident when I swung the blade. I was actually thinking to get rid of it, looking at maybe a Hadraw 5 or Falcima. Then I read information this week on head heavy blades, how they can impact some peoples play. I also read when someone had made some adjustments to their blade to reduce weight/ and head heaviness - that it made a significant difference.

Stats & Mods on my Korbel
The Korbel blade was about 91/92 g. I put some Butterfly grip tape which helped with the handle thickness (just one layer -was 182 mm (circumfrance) -now 185mm, more grip tape on bottom of handle) with total weight was 188g (with rubbers). Handle felt better but blade was still to head heavy.
As the blade head is oversize vs normal size blades (158 x 152 vs 157 x 150), I shaved (filed) about 2mm off the top of the blade (shaped it matching other blades). Resulted in about 3g of blade timber filed off (91g down to 88g) and then the rubbers cut to size of blade about 3g off = 6 grams total off. Filed mainly off head area of the bat. Lowered the blade from 188 g to 182grams after modifications.

Playing Results
What I noticed after playing for approximately 21/2 hours in training and some top table games. I found the blade was no longer head heavy but very well balanced, also gave it to the COACH and he said that it felt it was now a well balanced blade.

Playing with Korbel after the mods I noticed a few things:
The blade was a bit lighter in feel and I felt the bat was more agile (forehand to backhand swings ) as a result it felt a touch faster too with (maybe because I felt more comfortable with it, or could swing faster). I also felt I had more control with it especially in the short game, blocks and chops were easier, spin was good too. There was no loss of touch/feel either. Lastly much less mishits and actually won more games today, felt my game improved as a result of adjustments with the the blade .

If you found your Korbel is to head heavy etc, these modifications may work for you. I did feel it actually improved the blade overall as well - more balanced weight wise, head heaviness gone, giving it a little more pace/agility and control.

I am now very happy with the Petr Korbel blade after the modifications.

Steve

 

[Doum]

My korbel with two mantra pro weight 182g. It's well balanced but with heavier rubbers it's definitely head heavy. Good job on your modifications. Korbel is a great blade.

 

[mightymouse]

Hi,
I have had the Petr Korbel blade for about a month.
I loved the control and feel of the blade, but was feeling the head and blade were a bit heavy (188g) and handle a bit thin (182mm all round thinnest part, vs Primorac 185mm). I was finding I was doing quite a few mishits and was not as confident when I swung the blade. I was actually thinking to get rid of it, looking at maybe a Hadraw 5 or Falcima. Then I read information this week on head heavy blades, how they can impact some peoples play. I also read when someone had made some adjustments to their blade to reduce weight/ and head heaviness - that it made a significant difference.

Stats & Mods on my Korbel
The Korbel blade was about 91/92 g. I put some Butterfly grip tape which helped with the handle thickness (just one layer -was 182 mm (circumfrance) -now 185mm, more grip tape on bottom of handle) with total weight was 188g (with rubbers). Handle felt better but blade was still to head heavy.
As the blade head is oversize vs normal size blades (158 x 152 vs 157 x 150), I shaved (filed) about 2mm off the top of the blade (shaped it matching other blades). Resulted in about 3g of blade timber filed off (91g down to 88g) and then the rubbers cut to size of blade about 3g off = 6 grams total off. Filed mainly off head area of the bat. Lowered the blade from 188 g to 182grams after modifications.

.........................................
Steve

I don't really have any issue with the larger head of my Korbel, but I have issue with thinner handle (which can be easily fixed using grip tape, although you would lose a bit of natural feeling there).

My question to you is:

How do you trim the head size? Just using rough sand paper? Or did you use grinding machine, or something? I am not handy with things, so I would certainly mess up the process.

 

[steve888]

Hope the below information helps how I did the modifications.

I basically got an old rubber from a previous blade and marked around it with a pencil (2mm in from the end). Used then a very sharp knife or could use a stanley knife (with old rubber in place) and then cut slowly around the top third ( basically 10-2 on a clock face basically) the rubber off both sides.

Then marked around with a pencil on now the bare timber.. Then put blade on a flat surface, something supporting both sides of the blade & rubber. Use Fine file - Filed slowly following the line around the blade (Don't go up and down against the grain it may damage existing rubber or blade).

Once completed - Shake and wipe to get the dust off, put edge tape on. Clean blade. Took me probably 20- 30 minutes.

Steve

 

[mightymouse]

Hope the below information helps how I did the modifications.

I basically got an old rubber from a previous blade and marked around it with a pencil (2mm in from the end). Used then a very sharp knife or could use a stanley knife (with old rubber in place) and then cut slowly around the top third ( basically 10-2 on a clock face basically) the rubber off both sides.

Then marked around with a pencil on now the bare timber.. Then put blade on a flat surface, something supporting both sides of the blade & rubber. Use Fine file - Filed slowly following the line around the blade (Don't go up and down against the grain it may damage existing rubber or blade).

Once completed - Shake and wipe to get the dust off, put edge tape on. Clean blade. Took me probably 20- 30 minutes.

Steve

Thank you for the explanation...

 

[lt kettch]

You can also try adding weight (i.e.: masking tape a a few coins or washers) to the bottom of the grip to see if you like the "Center-of-Gravity closer to the grip" feel better... for people who fear commitment like myself.

 

[riemsesy]

I propose Butterfly renames this modified blade as the Steve 888

 

[Silver Server]

I read a lot when looking for a new blade before ordering my Japanese Korbel a few years ago, and the best piece of advice I saw was to ask the dealer for a preferred weight. I requested the lightest one they had in stock, and got one that was 85g. So I never really got the head heavy effect, but with the handle being fairly thin I can see it being an issue with more weight.

 

[steve888]

I read a lot when looking for a new blade before ordering my Japanese Korbel a few years ago, and the best piece of advice I saw was to ask the dealer for a preferred weight. I requested the lightest one they had in stock, and got one that was 85g. So I never really got the head heavy effect, but with the handle being fairly thin I can see it being an issue with more weight.

Yes good idea, did you get the European version (I heard they are lighter) or the Japanese version. I heard the Japanese ones are usually around the 90 g and up.

 

[steve888]

I propose Butterfly renames this modified blade as the Steve 888

Haa Haa, I take 10 % for profit