Should I keep Telson China?

[TensorBackhand]

I just got this telson china from Loki hoping for a good long 5 clone.

But im a little disappointed. It seems slightly thicker than advertised. Like 6.1 or 6.2mm. also the carbon is closer to the edge, like Long 5X. And finally the fibre looks kinda weird. It doesnt that that distinct weaved pattern. But it seems blacker than other blades.

Should i keep it or keep looking for a closer match?

 

[jk1980]

perhaps save the money you waste on all the clones and buy a proper HL5

 

[Ultravisitor]

Send it back IMO
Get a real long 5 or yinhe pro 05, love that one personally

 

[SlowPower]

Buy a used donic original nr1 senso...

 

[ttarc]

I would keep and at least try it. Looks like the one Loki presented here

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7354564427754229010

Thickness/Weight: Read some reviews of Donic's True Carbon Inner or the new Xiom Hayabusa ZL Pro (https://ttgearlab.com/2024/05/16/xi...otos-information/comment-page-1/#comment-3189). Both vary a lot but seemingly in the other direction (thinner and lighter). Butterfly Korbel is also known to vary a lot.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

perhaps save the money you waste on all the clones and buy a proper HL5

best comment ever (to EJs who spent time and money to find clones and x years later, still searching lol)

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

My heart was in the wilderness until I found my Avenger Mark 1. Two and half years and still going strong.

I wish everyone can find their own Avenger as soon as possible.

 

[Attitude]

best comment ever (to EJs who spent time and money to find clones and x years later, still searching lol)

As per usual i hardly disagree on this topic
Especially as long as information and guidance about our equipment is so vague and full of bullshit on many levels, testing and trying out cheaper stuff that give you around the same bang for less buck, is really important so we find the gems out there that we need.

Never forget that our equipment is one of many reasons why our sport is less popular than it could be. Price and the process of making sense of it is nothing that makes it enjoyable for many many people.

 

[Robin0910]

As per usual i hardly disagree on this topic
Especially as long as information and guidance about our equipment is so vague and full of bullshit on many levels, testing and trying out cheaper stuff that give you around the same bang for less buck, is really important so we find the gems out there that we need.

Never forget that our equipment is one of many reasons why our sport is less popular than it could be. Price and the process of making sense of it is nothing that makes it enjoyable for many many people.

The thing is this guy is known for spending money on clones. At this point he could have bought a Long 5 on Ali and try it extensively. If he doesn’t like it he won’t like the clones either and can sell the original blade and look for another concept.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

The thing is this guy is known for spending money on clones. At this point he could have bought a Long 5 on Ali and try it extensively. If he doesn’t like it he won’t like the clones either and can sell the original blade and look for another concept.

probably more than 1 x long 5

 

[hclnnkhg]

probably more than 1 x long 5

Getting a long 5 wouldn't solve the problem. It will only open the door to all the 968s...

 

[Attitude]

The thing is this guy is known for spending money on clones. At this point he could have bought a Long 5 on Ali and try it extensively. If he doesn’t like it he won’t like the clones either and can sell the original blade and look for another concept.

I get that. That doesnt mean that there is no value in his approach.
The opposite is the case. Although TB does weird shit and often has an even weirder understanding of things, his wild testing and all the information about that he gives willingly out is used by many.

I actually wish we had someone like TB but who plays better (approx 1900-2k TTR) who is unsponsored but tests as many things he does and would give us his insights on things. This would help a lot.

But all we get are usually highly biased players like ttd who are sponsored and all they say is praise and nonsense.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I get that. That doesnt mean that there is no value in his approach.
The opposite is the case. Although TB does weird shit and often has an even weirder understanding of things, his wild testing and all the information about that he gives willingly out is used by many.

I actually wish we had someone like TB but who plays better (approx 1900-2k TTR) who is unsponsored but tests as many things he does and would give us his insights on things. This would help a lot.

But all we get are usually highly biased players like ttd who are sponsored and all they say is praise and nonsense.

imagine if TB has the connections I have
he could be a full time equipment reviewer (making on income though) haha

 

[TensorBackhand]

perhaps save the money you waste on all the clones and buy a proper HL5

Well I said HL5 clone, but to be honest I was really looking to replace my FB Carbon. I had a FB carbon that I loved and it was honestly better than Long5. I sold it to my friend (who has 2 HL5). Now he only uses the FB carbon and never uses the HL5. He says they are at least identical, but probably the FB is slightly better.

I considered just getting another FB Carbon, but I figured I should tryout something new and got the Telson China.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Anyway, does anybody have any thoughts on the blade itself?

 

[TensorBackhand]

The thing is this guy is known for spending money on clones. At this point he could have bought a Long 5 on Ali and try it extensively. If he doesn’t like it he won’t like the clones either and can sell the original blade and look for another concept.

I only have 8 blades, and almost all of them I love. I have literally zero regret of getting these blades instead of a single HL5.

Sanwei 75 inner - Insanely good
Loki Arthur ZLC - Excellent
Stuor Harimoto ZLC - My absolute gem
Yasaka Atletico Power - My most expensive blade ironically gives me most regret
Sanwei CC - Crazy good power for $10
Sanwei F3 Pro - My flexiest and feeliest blade
Sanwei 75 - My hardest and fastest blade

 

[ttarc]

I get that. That doesnt mean that there is no value in his approach.
The opposite is the case. Although TB does weird shit and often has an even weirder understanding of things, his wild testing and all the information about that he gives willingly out is used by many.

I actually wish we had someone like TB but who plays better (approx 1900-2k TTR) who is unsponsored but tests as many things he does and would give us his insights on things. This would help a lot.

But all we get are usually highly biased players like ttd who are sponsored and all they say is praise and nonsense.

Maybe someone asks the guy from TTGearLab if we can send him some blades for measurement or if he wants to share information so others can do similar measurements

One player from https://www.youtube.com/@Lets_play_table_tennis has around 1900 TTR

 

[Zwill]

View attachment 30326View attachment 30327

I just got this telson china from Loki hoping for a good long 5 clone.

But im a little disappointed. It seems slightly thicker than advertised. Like 6.1 or 6.2mm. also the carbon is closer to the edge, like Long 5X. And finally the fibre looks kinda weird. It doesnt that that distinct weaved pattern. But it seems blacker than other blades.

Should i keep it or keep looking for a closer match?

Probalby better for you than ML5. The Loki blade looks very well made, on par if not nicer than ML5X.
It looks like a blade Xiom or Butterfly would ask 150USD for.

 

[zeio]

Anyway, does anybody have any thoughts on the blade itself?

Thicker than advertised? Congratulations! You got more than you paid for there. Take the bad with the good and call it a day. Or just get the real shit.

 

[Attitude]

Maybe someone asks the guy from TTGearLab if we can send him some blades for measurement or if he wants to share information so others can do similar measurements

One player from https://www.youtube.com/@Lets_play_table_tennis has around 1900 TTR

Id place my money on TTGearLab.

Lets play table tennis are sponsored by Joola if my memory serves right and were sponsored by Tibhar beforehand.
They tryhard to stay neutral but you can see on their reviews about the rubbers and blades from their sponsor that they literally cant say anything bad.

They do focus a little bit on budget stuff, but not really that much. I mean they focus on ESN anyway. So yeah i do liked them in the past, but i guess im not their target group.