Tell me about your experience playing a blade with different laminates on either side, like Koto and Limba etc.

[lodro]

Tell me about your experience playing a blade with different laminates on either side, like Koto and Limba etc.
Some say the harder FH-side would help the weakling getting a bit more umpf into the shot.

 

[Sedis]

I've had a few asymmetric blades and currently use an SDC with Koto on one side and Ash on the other, but have also tried the following combinations Limba/Maple, Limba/Walnut, Framiré/Ash and Koto/Ovangkal.

As one side will affect the other and the difference between the sides is mostly the 'feel'.
I think any differences in speed between the sides would be negligible, but the harder side does at least feel a bit more direct.

 

[lodro]

I've had a few asymmetric blades and currently use an SDC with Koto on one side and Ash on the other, but have also tried the following combinations Limba/Maple, Limba/Walnut, Framiré/Ash and Koto/Ovangkal.

As one side will affect the other and the difference between the sides is mostly the 'feel'.
I think any differences in speed between the sides would be negligible, but the harder side does at least feel a bit more direct.

the moore direct feel on the harder side would also translate into better control ????

 

[KM1976]

Tell me about your experience playing a blade with different laminates on either side, like Koto and Limba etc.
Some say the harder FH-side would help the weakling getting a bit more umpf into the shot.

Koto - More direct, pinpoint accuracy on the blade (you can feel and tell where you have contacted the ball), sharper feeling where you contact the ball. You need more forearm acceleration to spin the ball and also need to go more through the ball otherwise it would be weaker loop/topspin. Needless to say, you need good footwork to make a good shot. Resulting topspins due to more forward action with high arm acceleration are having a lower arc and pose difficulty for the opponent while blocking.

Limba - Softer feel, more catapult with feeling of ball being on the blade for a bit longer. You can also feel the bite on the ball when you spin. You can get away with slower arm action, delayed timing and little bit off footwork. Topspins have more arc, resulting in safety over the net, you can play more deceptive game with tempo and spin variation.

 

[lodro]

So if one would have to sum-up the "asymmetric blade" as a concept, would it be classified as a "very useful tool" that gives the player some great advantage, or would one have to more classified as a "a bit of a fad" ??????

 

[Sedis]

So if one would have to sum-up the "asymmetric blade" as a concept, would it be classified as a "very useful tool" that gives the player some great advantage, or would one have to more classified as a "a bit of a fad" ??????

Closer to being a useful tool, although it is very much fine tuning, not a complete game changer.

 

[lodro]

Closer to being a useful tool, although it is very much fine tuning, not a complete game changer.

thanking you kindly
Lodro