Using a Blade designed for table tennis - Why isn't everyone making the switch!?

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From researching the Nittaku tenaly handles further, it seems like the handle is too thin near the blade. Some believe it's due to being designed specifically for smaller Japanese women hands (the designer was a former women's champion). Other's think that it's thin so that it can double as a penhold as well as shakehand. The result is many people are suggesting it be 'fixed' for shakehand players with grip tape.

I'm starting to think that Tenaly isn't popular because Nittaku botched its launch by not designing it specifically for shakehand and for normal sized men's hands (which comprise the large majority of the market) and instead trying to cover too many bases at the same time. If you're going to convince people to switch to an ergonomic handle, it better feel perfect for the shakehand player, and enough for them to invest time to switch. By making it try to appeal to everyone, it ended up being suitable for nobody.

I'll still probably pick up one out of curiosity and then fix the thinness with grip tape. But infamou thin Nittaku handle is the exact reason why I got rid of my Acoustic. Right now it looks like the true Tenaly experience can only experienced by people with very small hands or people who can risk have a custom blade and handle made.
Handle Tenaly Size :
Tenaly, lenght 95,3 mm; width 22,6 (at thumb) 26,8 (in the middle) - 34,8 (at the end base); height 20,5 - 20,7
 
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Handle Tenaly Size :
Tenaly, lenght 95,3 mm; width 22,6 (at thumb) 26,8 (in the middle) - 34,8 (at the end base); height 20,5 - 20,7

Thanks I had a chance to hold the handles of all Nittaku Tenaly models recently.

The Acoustic versions felt a bit thicker and substantial than the non-Acoustic. I'm not sure if that was psychological or actual. They just looked and felt better.

Still felt a bit too small, unfortunately.
 
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After reading many posts, I've recently switched to a Tenaly blade and found the bent handle significant for my game. Its ergonomic shape has been an improvement for both forehand and backhand.

Pros:
1. Longer FH reach from reduced Z-shape form
2. No need for elbow-toward-the-ceiling BH flicks
3. Easier to get under the ball for both loops and flicks.
4. Lower head heaviness from change in balance point
5. Relaxed wrist and arm muscles

Cons:
1. The thin handle must be remedied with grip tape.
2. Long? adjustment period. I'm still top edging balls after a few weeks in

Nittaku Tenaly has been easier to play overall, both technically and physically. The core reason I pulled the trigger on this blade was a sore pain that ran through the outside of my entire arm. Since the change, there's been no pain.
 
says Hi, I am a life-long table tennis enthusiast and...
says Hi, I am a life-long table tennis enthusiast and...
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Can't remember if I posted this here, but I wrote an article on the pros/cons of different handles that you might find interesting:
 
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After reading many posts, I've recently switched to a Tenaly blade and found the bent handle significant for my game. Its ergonomic shape has been an improvement for both forehand and backhand.

Pros:
1. Longer FH reach from reduced Z-shape form
2. No need for elbow-toward-the-ceiling BH flicks
3. Easier to get under the ball for both loops and flicks.
4. Lower head heaviness from change in balance point
5. Relaxed wrist and arm muscles

Cons:
1. The thin handle must be remedied with grip tape.
2. Long? adjustment period. I'm still top edging balls after a few weeks in

Nittaku Tenaly has been easier to play overall, both technically and physically. The core reason I pulled the trigger on this blade was a sore pain that ran through the outside of my entire arm. Since the change, there's been no pain.
Great that the blade works for you to get rid of the pain issue!
Maybe I should try it again as my shoulder makes problems for about half a year or more.

I put it away because of edging balls and EJing...
 
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I have been using Tenaly's for a while now (prob 6 years). Started with the Original then Acoustic and Acoustic inner carbon. I decided to give it a try because I broke my wrist years ago and had an issue with intermittent pain and wrist/blade angle/ z formation.

The Tenaly helps a ton with those issues. I agree with the handles being a bit small. I also feel like the blade face is a bit on the smaller side. Sanwei made one called the Type 96 Leaning Handle that looks more full size.

This is also interesting info on the subject...
"The effect of table tennis racket design on wrist motion by Sicong Chen. A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Major: Industrial Engineering"
https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/a89ddce5-813a-4ac6-8648-a3108549b80c/content
 
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