Need some advice on a new blade

[cucumbertony]

Hi everyone, I’m currently looking for a new blade. I have been playing for about 2 years now and have used the same blade, the whole time (dhs 08x) which I still like, and for a little bit the ovtcharov s1 which I did not like.

But I think I’m ready to go a little faster, I’m very interested in the Yuanjian Ganjiang sword from LGY company but the seller of Ali seems a bit off (forward sport store) maybe someone can tell me if they are actually legit.

Furthermore, a member at my club is selling his lin gaoyuan alc blade but for a pretty steep price of 250 euros which is 100 more than the ganjiang sword… I’m a bit of a LGY fan 😅

Rubbers I’m planning on sticking to DHS hurricane 3, I think they make it so I keep good technique.

If anyone knows anything about the blades or can offer any advice about anything from new blades to rubbers or just what to do in my situation in general is greatly appreciated

 

[Sland]

My opinion might be warped from all of the collecting I've done, but if the LGY ALC has clean edges and not beat up then I don't think that's a bad investment because that blade is discontinued and will always hold it's value. You get what you want and not feel bad about it. Check out ebay if you want data to qualify what I've said.

Similar blades are viscaria and timo boll alc (which also hold value) so you can look up any koto outer carbon alc from other blade manufacturers and that's a good starting place- but you're not likely going to find better commercial blades out there than butterfly.

Good luck!

 

[ttarc]

Prott.vip also sells Yuan Jian blades: https://www.prott.vip/Product-List.aspx?producttype=96

Timo Boll ALC/Spirit is not the same as a Viscaria/FZD/ZJK ALC according to TTGearLab's data https://ttgearlab.com/2024/03/15/performance-indices-db-outer-fiber-blades/

As Sland said: if the LGY ALC is in a good condition it could be a good investment/worth to collect. For just trying out Viscaria-type blades I would recommend Yinhe V14Pro or Pro 01 or the Loki Telson Speed (new version) or 729 Blue Arylate.

Btw: Isn't the 08X a quite slow, oversized allround/defensive blade? If I'm right than switching to anything close to a Viscaria might be challenging. These blades are not just "a little faster" they are really fast. The H3s mask the speed a bit but not that much when properly used. So before going outer-carbon I would get a faster 5-ply all-wood blade that fits well to the H3s: (for me that's) everything with spruce below the top ply like e.g. Stiga Intensity or Infinity, Avalox P500, Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive, Xiom Fuga. Maybe a not too fast/heavy 7-ply blade e.g. Sanwei Fextra or DHS PG7 or some slower outer blades that use basalt fibers instead of ALC like the Loki Rxton 5 Pro Provincial Outer

 

[Milton Table Tennis Club]

Buying one of those pro blades would be a mistake with only 2 yrs experience, which many of us have done and would like to share some thoughts to help point in the right direction.
Also, you mentioned "But I think I’m ready to go a little faster". The lgy alc, similar to Viscaria for example isn't a little faster, it's like going from a homemade go-kart to a top fuel dragster, you'll shoot your eye out kid 😄. Pro blades are for division 1 players, pros, not us.
It'll stunt your development, don't do it.

Your current blade is probably 1.3 EP on this chart which is based on, I believe accelerometer/impact hammer measurements.

Viscaria is higher than 2 ep.

A little faster is probably around 1.5 to 1.6.

I use Hurricane 3 as well and if I was at the 2 yr experience level, I'd go with a DHS pg7 which is a more affordable version to the long 3 blade unless you want to spend extra for the long 3, but I'd try the pg7 first to see if you like it. It's also very affordable.

https://blog.tabletennis11.com/dhs-hurricane-long-3-and-long-5-review

Where to buy dhs, prottvip is best imo.

Yasaka Falck W7 - I used this blade for the last year with h3, it's a great blade and also recommend it.

Options:
Thibhar Force pro black or blue
Black is better for hitting
Blue is better than black for looping

If your mind is set on an alc blade, consider dhs301z or m201, maybe dhs301.

Pic Source: https://ttgearlab.com/2023/12/06/dhs-hurricane-301-series-lab-test-report/

More 7 ply blades

Performance Indices DB – 7-ply Wood Blades

Note : All values are average values, and can be updated by further measurement. Quad/Triple FiberOuterInner3+2 plyCenter Fiber7-ply Wood5-ply Wood andro / 7-ply wood NameAvg.Wt (g)EpEcEc/EpVpVlVl/…

ttgearlab.com

 

[Milton Table Tennis Club]

 

[cucumbertony]

Buying one of those pro blades would be a mistake with only 2 yrs experience, which many of us have done and would like to share some thoughts to help point in the right direction.
Also, you mentioned "But I think I’m ready to go a little faster". The lgy alc, similar to Viscaria for example isn't a little faster, it's like going from a homemade go-kart to a top fuel dragster, you'll shoot your eye out kid 😄. Pro blades are for division 1 players, pros, not us.
It'll stunt your development, don't do it.

Your current blade is probably 1.3 EP on this chart which is based on, I believe accelerometer/impact hammer measurements.

Viscaria is higher than 2 ep.

A little faster is probably around 1.5 to 1.6.

I use Hurricane 3 as well and if I was at the 2 yr experience level, I'd go with a DHS pg7 which is a more affordable version to the long 3 blade unless you want to spend extra for the long 3, but I'd try the pg7 first to see if you like it. It's also very affordable.

https://blog.tabletennis11.com/dhs-hurricane-long-3-and-long-5-review

Where to buy dhs, prottvip is best imo.

Yasaka Falck W7 - I used this blade for the last year with h3, it's a great blade and also recommend it.

Options:
Thibhar Force pro black or blue
Black is better for hitting
Blue is better than black for looping

If your mind is set on an alc blade, consider dhs301z or m201, maybe dhs301.

Pic Source: https://ttgearlab.com/2023/12/06/dhs-hurricane-301-series-lab-test-report/
View attachment 39090
More 7 ply blades

Performance Indices DB – 7-ply Wood Blades

Note : All values are average values, and can be updated by further measurement. Quad/Triple FiberOuterInner3+2 plyCenter Fiber7-ply Wood5-ply Wood andro / 7-ply wood NameAvg.Wt (g)EpEcEc/EpVpVlVl/…

ttgearlab.com

Thank you for the detailed reply! I didn’t think the difference would be so large since the 08x also had carbon… but I was very wrong.
I have a friend from whom I can borrow his long 3 for a season so I might try that out, if that isn’t it I might buy the DHS pg7 like you said.

 

[cucumbertony]

My opinion might be warped from all of the collecting I've done, but if the LGY ALC has clean edges and not beat up then I don't think that's a bad investment because that blade is discontinued and will always hold it's value. You get what you want and not feel bad about it. Check out ebay if you want data to qualify what I've said.

Similar blades are viscaria and timo boll alc (which also hold value) so you can look up any koto outer carbon alc from other blade manufacturers and that's a good starting place- but you're not likely going to find better commercial blades out there than butterfly.

Good luck!

I’ve found out that the viscaria type blades might indeed not be for me just yet. But I agree with you and sland that the LGY blade might be a good investment to collect since the chance probably won’t come ever again. I think it’s in good condition, I’ve added pictures of its state do you think it’s worth it?

 

[GhostBackhand]

250 euros for that condition is quite a bargain. At that price in my country, you would have to pay for a much older racket.

 

[Sland]

250 euros for that condition is quite a bargain. At that price in my country, you would have to pay for a much older racke

I’ve found out that the viscaria type blades might indeed not be for me just yet. But I agree with you and sland that the LGY blade might be a good investment to collect since the chance probably won’t come ever again. I think it’s in good condition, I’ve added pictures of its state do you think it’s worth it?View attachment 39093View attachment 39094

sorry about the late reply but yes, I agree with ghost- that looks great for the price.

I think people sometimes forget that the joy of table tennis extends past how "good" or "bad" certain blades or rubbers are for a person when being proud and having fun with the equipment you own matters too.

Imo buy the blade and don't look back and enjoy it. You'll adjust to it if you have patience and build confidence!