Sanwei 968?

[TensorBackhand]

https://a.aliexpress.com/_m01xzoR

I stummbled on this blade, the Sanwei 968.

Is this meant to be a clone of w968? The construction looks quite different though.

Anyone tried this or have info?

 

[\_Kairos_/]

...
The construction looks quite different though.
...

Why do you think that? Based on the pictures it looks like a very similar construction with only the top ply being grey dyed.
The Sanwei blade has an ayous core, yellow ALC, ayous medial ply (just like the HL5/W968) while the top ply could be either limba or koto. I tend to think it's limba when I look at the wood grain.
So, pretty much the same construction.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Why do you think that? Based on the pictures it looks like a very similar construction with only the top ply being grey dyed.
The Sanwei blade has an ayous core, yellow ALC, ayous medial ply (just like the HL5/W968) while the top ply could be either limba or koto. I tend to think it's limba when I look at the wood grain.
So, pretty much the same construction.

The core looks thicker and the fibre looks closer to surface to me

 

[\_Kairos_/]

Yes, that's what I noticed, too. Kind of like the Andro Synteliac inner blades. Because of that it could be a bit faster than the HL5/W968 blades with a crispier ball contact.
But as for the kind of woods and the fiber being used, it seems very similar to the DHS blades.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Yes, that's what I noticed, too. Kind of like the Andro Synteliac inner blades. Because of that it could be a bit faster than the HL5/W968 blades with a crispier ball contact.
But as for the kind of woods and the fiber being used, it seems very similar to the DHS blades.

Ive had mixed experience with the thick core blades.

The xvt zl 600 is excellent.

But the yinhe pro 05 is terrible

 

[TensorBackhand]

If Sanwei is trying to clone the 968, why did they make the core so much thicker?

 

[\_Kairos_/]

Ive had mixed experience with the thick core blades.

Well, at the end of the day that's all very individual, I guess. Patrick discussed on the TT11 blog the Fang Bo B2 and the B2X (with thicker core ply). It seems that he liked the B2X more (https://blog.tabletennis11.com/review-dhs-fang-bo-b2-and-b2x-composite-blades).

If Sanwei is trying to clone the 968, why did they make the core so much thicker?

Perhaps just to be a bit different and improve (?) the W968 in their own way. Who knows. You could also ask @Andrea Jiang about this.

 

[\_Kairos_/]

What I just noticed: This Sanwei blade is rather inexpensive. Nowadys, Sanwei blades can cost a lot more than this "968" version. Maybe the wood quality being used for this blade is not the best, although it could still be a decent blade. Price isn't necessarily an indicator whether a blade suits you or your style.

 

[andzejgolot]

What I just noticed: This Sanwei blade is rather inexpensive. Nowadys, Sanwei blades can cost a lot more than this "968" version. Maybe the wood quality being used for this blade is not the best, although it could still be a decent blade. Price isn't necessarily an indicator whether a blade suits you or your style.

on taobao cost is 259 yuans= similar to alie

 

[Tyce]

Thick core blades are the trend. More base power.
Calling it 968 is a bit weird but in line with the usual bit of using another product's popularity.

 

[John_]

Maybe @Andrea Jiang knows a thing or two about this.