Need advice on new blade

[aniketprabhu]

Hello -

I am an intermediate player playing at a local club for almost 2 years now. Prior to that i had played during my college days long back. The level is decent and i am comfortable doing forehand and backhand loops/blocking/chops/top spins [Consider myself hybrid between All-round and Offensive].

I am still working on my techniques so i need something which gives me more feeling to know the quality/accuracy of my shots and improve further.

Shortlisted Blades -
Donic Waldner Ultra Senso Carbon [Inner Carbon]
Andro Treiber CI [Inner Carbon]
Tibhar Force Pro Black

Current Setup -
Blade - Yinhe n9s
FH - Andro Hexer Duro
BH - Mark V Soft

I would like to continue with my current rubbers along with the new blade. Open to suggestions on other options. Thanks.

 

[burakins]

Hi,

I had Tibhar Force Pro Black played with it long time. I can say remove from your list. It lacks in speed, sweet spot is not large. I can suggest you a blade with rosewood f.e : Stiga Rosewood NCT

 

[erm]

If you want to stay with the current rubber combination, from your list I recommend:Andro Treiber CI [Inner Carbon]

 

[aniketprabhu]

If you want to stay with the current rubber combination, from your list I recommend:Andro Treiber CI [Inner Carbon]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was also leaning towards it. I have read some posts which state Inner Carbon blades are similar to wooden blades in terms of feeling and since i am developing my shots i need to have that feeling to help me improve faster. Are you using/used this blade earlier or currently using it ?

 

[WingTT]

I'd suggest going with a branded inner carbon blade of some sort over an all wood. Carbon blades tend to have a bigger sweet spot and gives better feedback in my opinion. I would also suggest moving away from the Mark V to a modern ESN rubber of some sort like the Nittaku Fastarc G1 if you want to play a modern offensive game. The game has changed due to plastic balls and you will find yourself falling behind if you stick with Mark V.

 

[Lazer]

It’s a huge difference between the speed of Mark V and Fastarc G1 spin not not so much. Don’t believe all the garbage about carbon and a modern game. If you don’t think you a significantly faster setup go with a rubber with less difference. I don’t know much about your blade and FH rubber so I can’t say about it but don’t fall for the modern myths. It’s better to have a little too slow setup than a little too fast…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Oscarting]

Go mark 5 HPS. It has a sponge that is springier them regular mark 5 to give you a boost of speed

 

[Lazer]

Go mark 5 HPS. It has a sponge that is springier them regular mark 5 to give you a boost of speed

I agree but its significantly more expensive than a Mark V, however its a good stepping stone towards something faster.

OP: If You want to change rubber Xiom vega Europe may also be an option

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Charbel]

I think that the best blade out of the 3 on your list is the Donic Waldner Senso Ultra Carbon. And concerning the rubbers you can stick with those if you like them.

 

[ZFT]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was also leaning towards it. I have read some posts which state Inner Carbon blades are similar to wooden blades in terms of feeling and since i am developing my shots i need to have that feeling to help me improve faster. Are you using/used this blade earlier or currently using it ?

If you are already leaning towards it, I think you should get it as there is a psychological component of feeling good about something that manifests into positive energy and outcomes.

And it seems you have already looked into this blade extensively and done your due diligence.

It’s very likely you will improve your level within a month or 2 if you are motivated to play regularly.

 

[Lazer]

By the way I have been using the Mark V for more than a year already ( I started learning with it) and so far I am absolutely satisfied with it, what would be my next purchase to improve my skils?

Mark V HPS or Xiom Vega Europe would be good choices. After this next step would be Yasaka Rakza 7.
There are others too but these I have played with.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[erm]

Yes i have tried all three blades from your list and they are very different from each other

 

[brodolio]

If you’re still developing your technique, I wouldn’t recommend any carbon blade for now. I’ll keep wait a bit more..
Even inner carbon might be too much, as you’ll get more power from it and lose that control that you actually need now. Safety and forgiveness are the key, so you can only focus on your strokes.

Someone mentioned a Stiga blade, that’s a pretty good option.
Other amazing ones are Nittaku Acustic/Violin, yasaka all wood blade and DHS power G7. There are so many..

 

[Lula]

We need to know why you want to change blade before giving advice.
Force pro is pretty thick so i can imagine it will be easier to loop with the inner carbon blades if they are thinner.

 

[aniketprabhu]

We need to know why you want to change blade before giving advice.
Force pro is pretty thick so i can imagine it will be easier to loop with the inner carbon blades if they are thinner.

When i started playing TT again [after a gap of 10-12 years] in 2021, i wanted a basic setup and ended up with Yinhe n9s. Currently i am practicing at least 3 times a week [~ 6 hours a week]. I am good with the current setup, but considering my game is improving i thought of upgrading the blade to a good quality blade that further helps me improve at a fast pace and be more consistent in my shots. And i plan to use the new blade i purchase for a long long time.

Do you recommend keeping my current blade for more time ?

 

[Haraold]

YOur budget wouldb e helpfull some suggestions are a bit expensive.

 

[aniketprabhu]

YOur budget wouldb e helpfull some suggestions are a bit expensive.

Budget is around 70-80 $ and i would be buying this in India. I am open to other suggestions apart from what i had mentioned in my requirement. Preference is all wood 5 ply or 7 ply but also open to inner carbon blades.

 

[mat]

Hi, I play in similar level and similar type, so I use:
Blade Yasaka Balsa Clasic
Fh and bh Andro hexer grip sfx.

​​Its not to fast and nice for allround / offensive game.

 

[WingTT]

Don't let the Mark V fethishist strawman the issue. The issue with trying to play a modern offensive game on old gear is not about carbon or non-carbon blades, but the outdated soft and low spin 50 year old rubbers like Mark V. The soft sponge means there isn't a high gear and the lack of spin compared to modern or even Chinese tacky rubbers mean you cannot do things like effectively backhand flick or loop underspin half long balls or those that are over the table and counterloops become less secure and unstable. What you will see most Mark V players do is push or lift those underspin balls. If they try to flick the balls, the results are usually easy to attack.

If you don't play really offensively, this is not an issue. If you have any ambition to get to a high level with the style of the top pros, Mark V will mess you up and give you bad habits.

 

[Lazer]

Nothing wrong with Mark V at s as all. A little less spin and slow, perfect for someone who needs rot work on their technique or is a beginner. The sponge about the same hardness as Rakza 7 and it has not much bounciness. The top sheet is one of the longest lasting.

Cheers
L-zr