Stiga quality

[haggisv]

Stiga seem to have quite a few blades with very thin outer plies (e.g. Stiga allround classic), and they don't seal most (any?) of their blades. With the old VOC glues splintering upon removal seems to be less problematic, but with the current water-based glues you'll likely rip-off fibres upon the first removal if you don't seal the blade.
I would always seal and sand these types of blades.

 

[Tyce]

Water based glue definitely changed the game of splintering surfaces.
That doesn't explain rough, splintering handles for example on the Clipper I had. The finishing was very rough all over, big disappointment.

 

[Topspinslinger]

I own many stiga blades, I notice much qc issues. From my Infinity VPS where the spruce layer has come off to top ply splinters, I see all kinds of issues online with stiga qc.

I mainly use Stiga as brand, from equipment to clothing.
I do notice a qc difference with my current carbonado 45 with new tag and a old tag 45. Old stiga blades in my experience had better quality control, as all my old stiga blades I bought maintained in almost perfect condition

 

[releted]

People talk about the "Stiga feel". How likely is it that the fragility of these blades is a consequences of rational decisions made to preserve this "feel"? Do Stiga blade use epoxy? Does anyone know?
Is this "feel" thing real?

Secondly, about the lack of refinement amongst details like handle lenses and the handles themselves: small details that are easily taken care of. And we're led to believe that blades imported to China do undergo additional processing. So can these shortcomings be a consequence of keeping production in Sweden where wages are higher while keeping costs lower? Something clearly at risk of being lost (looking at other industries).

I have a Yasaka blade package with states something like "proudly handmade in Sweden" and shows a technician hand-installing the handle lens- an amusing image; reserving for handmaking an unskilled procedure that could probably be more effectively managed by machine. Again, this goes back to keeping handmade there and keeping production in Sweden.

 

[releted]

If Stiga blades had a magical quality, which was worth preserving (for performance reasons), wouldn't more professionals be using them? I read on the Stiga website that they are the official supplier for the Chinese National Team but am not sure if this is still true. Table Tennis Gan referred to the special Carbonado 45 as being superior to butterfly products from the point of view of dwell.

I am not by any means writing Stiga off with these comments. I am just wondering how the fragility of blades can remain accepted in production.

There are plenty of examples of other blades also tearing the top surface, but anecdotally it seems much less common (I have a Clipper, Dynasty Carbon, Carbonado 145, and just sold a Rosewood V - all of which have been repaired extensively).