Need help on building a new racket for a new playstyle

[Spencer_Reich]

Hello! I'm brand new here, and I'm looking to buy myself and my dad new rackets soon, and I needed help on the build for them!
We are both beginners, as we mostly just play against each other, but want to start getting more competitive.

I have made my current racket from Tableten.11 and I made it with the intention on playing as a modern defender. I've been playing with the Defplay Senso for about 2 years now, and its very clear that I do not excel as a defender, as I generally lack the patience to continue long BH chop rallies. Rather, I have great touch and reflexes for fast backhand blocks and flicks. I love playing with a ton of creativity, as I'm always looking to use spin to throw off my opponent. I have been wanting to build a new racket to support a more defensive counter-attack style using primarily my BH since I feel much more confident in it.

As of now, I was thinking about going with the Tibhar Stratus Power Wood for the blade, since I definitely don't want to go straight to a carbon blade from being a defender, and I've heard great things about it. For FH, the Tibhar Evolution MX-P 2.1-2.2 mm, and for the backhand, the Donic Bluestorm Z3 (mainly for swift counter-flicks and blocks) 1.9 mm.

As for my dad, he has never had a custom-made racket, and has been using the Killerspin Jet series, and also heavily emphasizes spin and creativity in the short to medium game but utilizes a powerful flat FH smash whenever he has the opportunity to. He is a LEFT handed penhold grip user, and I honestly do not know what would be best for that playstyle. Since we're still beginners and I was planning on getting this as a surprise for him, I need suggestions on a beginner-friendly build for him.

I am definitely looking for feedback and suggestions for this, since I want a paddle that I can grow with. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Hello! I'm brand new here, and I'm looking to buy myself and my dad new rackets soon, and I needed help on the build for them!
We are both beginners, as we mostly just play against each other, but want to start getting more competitive.

I have made my current racket from Tableten.11 and I made it with the intention on playing as a modern defender. I've been playing with the Defplay Senso for about 2 years now, and its very clear that I do not excel as a defender, as I generally lack the patience to continue long BH chop rallies. Rather, I have great touch and reflexes for fast backhand blocks and flicks. I love playing with a ton of creativity, as I'm always looking to use spin to throw off my opponent. I have been wanting to build a new racket to support a more defensive counter-attack style using primarily my BH since I feel much more confident in it.

As of now, I was thinking about going with the Tibhar Stratus Power Wood for the blade, since I definitely don't want to go straight to a carbon blade from being a defender, and I've heard great things about it. For FH, the Tibhar Evolution MX-P 2.1-2.2 mm, and for the backhand, the Donic Bluestorm Z3 (mainly for swift counter-flicks and blocks) 1.9 mm.

As for my dad, he has never had a custom-made racket, and has been using the Killerspin Jet series, and also heavily emphasizes spin and creativity in the short to medium game but utilizes a powerful flat FH smash whenever he has the opportunity to. He is a LEFT handed penhold grip user, and I honestly do not know what would be best for that playstyle. Since we're still beginners and I was planning on getting this as a surprise for him, I need suggestions on a beginner-friendly build for him.

I am definitely looking for feedback and suggestions for this, since I want a paddle that I can grow with. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I have a question for you: It says you are using DHS H3 Commercial Blue Sponge: where did you get that?

 

[Tyce]

Hi Spencer! Have you tried other people's setups? It's by far the easiest way to find suggestions what you like and don't like.

Honestly, same applies to your dad, if you can get to a club and ask to try out a few things that will be extremely insightful.
Of course, penhold with a shakehand bat is going to be a little bit off, but it should definitely give a good impression of the materials.

If that's not an option, and neither is a live TT shop, then by all means start out with something middle of the road.
Powerwood is a great option, not just because of its characteristics, but also because it's very popular which makes it a good reference.
There's a ton of options available in penhold as well.

 

[Spencer_Reich]

I have a question for you: It says you are using DHS H3 Commercial Blue Sponge: where did you get that?

I ordered it through TT11, it is definitely not the "national" version, but the cheap version, also its the Neo version (39 degree), probably should have mentioned that sorry.

 

[Spencer_Reich]

Hi Spencer! Have you tried other people's setups? It's by far the easiest way to find suggestions what you like and don't like.

Honestly, same applies to your dad, if you can get to a club and ask to try out a few things that will be extremely insightful.
Of course, penhold with a shakehand bat is going to be a little bit off, but it should definitely give a good impression of the materials.

If that's not an option, and neither is a live TT shop, then by all means start out with something middle of the road.
Powerwood is a great option, not just because of its characteristics, but also because it's very popular which makes it a good reference.
There's a ton of options available in penhold as well.

I have not! But I was planning on looking up local clubs in the near future! I know just playing against other players around and above my skill level is the best way to rapidly adapt.

 

[Gozo Aruna]

A typical five ply all wood ( e.g. Tibhar Stratus Powerwood ) + Donic Bluefire M2 ( Forehand ) + Donic Bluefire M3 ( Backhand ) is a common set-up in amongst the junior players or noobs in the academy that I play at.

 

[Spencer_Reich]

A typical five ply all wood ( e.g. Tibhar Stratus Powerwood ) + Donic Bluefire M2 ( Forehand ) + Donic Bluefire M3 ( Backhand ) is a common set-up in amongst the junior players or noobs in the academy that I play at.

I'll be sure to look into the Bluefire series then! Thank you!!!

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I ordered it through TT11, it is definitely not the "national" version, but the cheap version, also its the Neo version (39 degree), probably should have mentioned that sorry.

So, the one that says: "PROVINCIAL"?

https://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/dhs-hurricane-3-neo-provincial-39-blue-sponge

Is that the one? Because if it is Provincial, it is not "COMMERCIAL".

 

[Spencer_Reich]

So, the one that says: "PROVINCIAL"?

https://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/dhs-hurricane-3-neo-provincial-39-blue-sponge

Is that the one? Because if it is Provincial, it is not "COMMERCIAL".

Ahhh yes that's the one! Just updated my selection of my rubbers to fix that! Sorry for the confusion, I feel like there are so many different kinds of the DHS Hurricane, I get them all mixed up!

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Ahhh yes that's the one! Just updated my selection of my rubbers to fix that! Sorry for the confusion, I feel like there are so many different kinds of the DHS Hurricane, I get them all mixed up!

No worries. Blue Sponge Commercial was a red flag for me since I don't think they make commercial versions of H3 with the blue sponge.

In the long run, it doesn't really matter that much. I just wanted to make sure you were not someone trolling the forum.

 

[haggisv]

Blue Sponge Commercial was a red flag for me since I don't think they make commercial versions of H3 with the blue sponge.

They do (or at least they used to do it), but a distributor would need to buy them in bulk quantity direct from DHS, and it seems there is not enough interest or demand for any DHS dealer to do this.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

They do (or at least they used to do it), but a distributor would need to buy them in bulk quantity direct from DHS, and it seems there is not enough interest or demand for any DHS dealer to do this.

Interesting. Thanks. They do make them. It is just that basically no distributor carries them. I did think there was no such thing.