Sanwei Fextra 5, new blade?
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It is Koto.
I have several copies of Persson Powerplay and they look exactly the same as Fextra 5 (as shown in the picture next to a Viscaria). I do not know if there is another version of Fextra Pro with limba outerply.
With koto-spruce-ayous-spruce-koto composition and thickness of 5.8 mm, then it is indeed "another version" of Avalox P500 and BTY Hadraw 5 (and old old Stiga Offensive Classic).
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Koto is available in huge varieties of appearances, the comparison you have shows a standard grade Koto top ply, while the Viscaria has a more "figured", beamed fishscale pattern. Darker, straight streaks, which are pores have very similar distribution and other characteristics on both, despite the spectacularly diferent textures of the specimens. I say, this is definitely no way it could be Limba.
I only tested the blade on my return board so far.
To me they feel similar. Really close. But the Fextra 5 have a little bit more crisp feeling. Like a little bit less vibration and they last a shorter time. But you have to test them side to side to notice that.
The handle is thick, i measured them:
Korbel: 22.2mm
Fextra 7: 23.4mm
Fextra 5: 24.4mm
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Not the same. Fextra 5 is thicker, i measured almost 1mm more. The only negative point of this blade for me.
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I ordered 2 from the AliExpress/BEO Store. They arrived after 10 days (to Texas). Pictures attached. I also ordered a Pro05 and the surface is clearly different, the Pro05 is Limba, so the Fextra5 Classic is Koto/Spruce.
The old Fextra 7 has been replaced by the Fextra 7 Pro with a more "3D formed" handle, but on AliExpress the old Fextra 7 is still available. The Fextra 7 with Limba/Limba and ~1400Hz is very fast and actually harder to play for me than the Yinhe Pro 05. More recent Fextra 7's are slower, similar what happened to the Yinhe 437 going to the 437S.
Fextra 5: 1291Hz, 77.0g, 5.8mm. Handle: 23.8x26.4mm (average from 2 blades)
Pro 05: 1270Hz, 92.7g, 5.9mm, handle center 24.1mm/27.5mm
Pictures: Pro05 (Limba) on the left, Fextra5 (Koto) on the right.
I assembled the blade with the DHS H3 Neo forehand and the Yinhe Moon 12 (blue) backhand rubbers. It plays as expected, the touch is a bit harder than the Limba top blades, but the control is very good. The speed is similar to the Anegre top blades like the Yasaka Sweden Extra. With the rubbers I am using the blade has good control, I can play any topspin, push, or chop techniques (against topspin). Also the blade is pretty light but not very top heavy.
In summary, this is a very nice blade and I expect it to become a classic like the Sanwei Fextra 7.
The old Fextra 7 has been replaced by the Fextra 7 Pro with a more "3D formed" handle, but on AliExpress the old Fextra 7 is still available. The Fextra 7 with Limba/Limba and ~1400Hz is very fast and actually harder to play for me than the Yinhe Pro 05. More recent Fextra 7's are slower, similar what happened to the Yinhe 437 going to the 437S.
Fextra 5: 1291Hz, 77.0g, 5.8mm. Handle: 23.8x26.4mm (average from 2 blades)
Pro 05: 1270Hz, 92.7g, 5.9mm, handle center 24.1mm/27.5mm
Pictures: Pro05 (Limba) on the left, Fextra5 (Koto) on the right.
I assembled the blade with the DHS H3 Neo forehand and the Yinhe Moon 12 (blue) backhand rubbers. It plays as expected, the touch is a bit harder than the Limba top blades, but the control is very good. The speed is similar to the Anegre top blades like the Yasaka Sweden Extra. With the rubbers I am using the blade has good control, I can play any topspin, push, or chop techniques (against topspin). Also the blade is pretty light but not very top heavy.
In summary, this is a very nice blade and I expect it to become a classic like the Sanwei Fextra 7.
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Oops sorry, I misread it. I thought you said "the only negative point of it is the blade itself" lol
Previous fextra 7 was way too thin for me, I wonder if fextra 5 will fit better or not
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Thanks for pointing this out to us, I ordered 2 too. From the customer photos while the description says "Structure: KOTO+spruce+ayous" it looks more like Limba/Ayous/Ayous. I have Limba/Spruce blades (Yinhe E3) and other Spruce 2nd layer blades (Yinhe Pro-5W) the spruce usually has a diagonal striped appearance (seen from the side). Also spruce tends to make the blade faster so if this is an allround blade it's likely Koto or Limba with Ayous/Ayous. But we'll see. Maybe the Sanwei rep can chime in and give us the authoritative answer.
Also note that the old Fextra 7 has been replaced by the Fextra 7 Pro with a more "3D formed" handle, but on AliExpress the old Fextra 7 is still available. The Fextra 7 with Limba/Limba and ~1400Hz is very fast and actually harder to play for me than the Yinhe Pro 05.
After I get it I'll measure everything and let you folks know. I'll assemble it with the DHS H3 Neo 39deg. and the Yinhe Moon 12 (blue)
The old Fextra 7 must have changed since you bought it. I've had 3 and all are 1313 hz to 1335 Hz. It's not very fast at all. Maybe around same speed as my old Nittaku Acoustic. Just more linear and stable. So it's easier to use for me because of it.
Hi,
I just ordered this blade on Aliexpress. Can anyone tell me if it seems to be factory sealed/varnished?
I just ordered this blade on Aliexpress. Can anyone tell me if it seems to be factory sealed/varnished?
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Turned out a bit disappointed in the blade, but maybe I had unreasonable expectations towards it.
For me all-wood with a Chinese tacky FH is too slow. Probably would work better with a regular tensor, maybe EU hybrid FH, needs more speed for a modern game.
Also first ST handle I tried, which I quite liked, but if I would play more with this blade I'd vile the arches in a bit more.
All in all, not my cul of tea for a blade, but can be a great starter option I reckon.
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Yesterday I received my Flextra 5 blade (81g), and I must say for a $17 blade it looks quite good.
I bought it out of curiosity to test a 5-ply blade, as it has been a long, long time since I last played with one. Next week I plan to test it with Fastarc G-1 or BD 38° on the FH and Aggressor Pro on BH.
I bought it out of curiosity to test a 5-ply blade, as it has been a long, long time since I last played with one. Next week I plan to test it with Fastarc G-1 or BD 38° on the FH and Aggressor Pro on BH.
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You will not like the Fextra 5 FL handle. It is extremely skinny. The circumference of the thinnest part is only 84-85mm, which is the 2nd skinniest of the 20 blades I have measured. My measurement for Fextra 7 is 88mm.
Besides that, the Fextra 5 blade is nice. Fishscale koto at this price is insane. Mine is 84g and 1370hz. Paired with Sanwei Target 3 National on forehand, the speed is easily enough for most amateurs. Very good feeling without excessive vibration. It is a shame that after only 1 hour playing with it, I cannot continue to use it because of the skinny handle. Every Chinese reviewer on Bilibili is praising the performance and quality of the blade, but complaining about the handle, so maybe Sanwei will change it in the future. Also, just FYI, the Sanwei China catalogue shows a Fextra 5 Speed and Fextra 5 Power will be released.
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