Yasaka Sweden Extra vs Andro Timber 5 OFF/ALL/s

[badhon]

Hello, I’m a beginner and have been using a premade bat (Stiga Evolution) for a few weeks. I like how lightweight it is, but I’m thinking of switching to a custom paddle, as many people recommend. For the rubber, I’m considering using Rakza 7 2mm for the forehand and Rakza 7 Soft 2mm for the backhand. However, I’m having trouble deciding on the blade. The options I’m looking at are:

1. Yasaka Sweden Extra
2. Andro Timber 5 ALL/S
3. Andro Timber 5 OFF

(According to Revspin ratings, option 1 has lower speed, while options 2 and 3 offer both higher speed and control. I'm not sure if the higher speed is beneficial for my level or not.)

As a beginner who prefers a lightweight bat, which of these blades would be better for developing good technique? Additionally, what differences should I expect compared to the Stiga Evolution with this custom setup? I’d really appreciate any advice or guidance.

 

[turbozed]

First off, I highly recommend you never visit Revspin again. That site is either too confusing or outright useless for beginners. I wish I had just completely disregarded that site years ago when trying to find a first (and second, and third) racket.

Before I make any purchases, I'd ask people at the club to try out two different types of setup. One all wood with tensor rubber like Rakza 7. Another with more direct Chinese rubber.

People will say that "you can't go wrong with Sweden Extra and Rakza 7." Personally I found that not true. I didn't like bouncy rubbers and the only time I felt comfortable with a racket was with Chinese rubber. Literally tried $4 Mercury 2 and liked it way more than $40 Nittaku Fastarc.

The only person who will know what you like is you. Not some person on the internet.

 

[Lazer]

First off, I highly recommend you never visit Revspin again. That site is either too confusing or outright useless for beginners. I wish I had just completely disregarded that site years ago when trying to find a first (and second, and third) racket.

Before I make any purchases, I'd ask people at the club to try out two different types of setup. One all wood with tensor rubber like Rakza 7. Another with more direct Chinese rubber.

People will say that "you can't go wrong with Sweden Extra and Rakza 7." Personally I found that not true. I didn't like bouncy rubbers and the only time I felt comfortable with a racket was with Chinese rubber. Literally tried $4 Mercury 2 and liked it way more than $40 Nittaku Fastarc.

The only person who will know what you like is you. Not some person on the internet.

Forget the rating agreed, but it’s a bit harsh to say “never visit”. I find some of the comment useful. You have to kind of get a feel for the skill of the reveiver.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[turbozed]

Forget the rating agreed, but it’s a bit harsh to say “never visit”. I find some of the comment useful. You have to kind of get a feel for the skill of the reveiver.

Cheers
L-zr

"Never visit" I meant while still a beginner. You're right that when a person understands equipment a bit better, they can benefit from the written reviews by the experienced EJs.

But reading the reviews there won't help you understand equipment imo. It's more likely to confuse.

 

[Lazer]

"Never visit" I meant while still a beginner. You're right that when a person understands equipment a bit better, they can benefit from the written reviews by the experienced EJs.

But reading the reviews there won't help you understand equipment imo. It's more likely to confuse.

I think It definitely helps. Just don’t accept every word in every comment. You learn what terminology to use and what characteristics to look for.

But of course an EJ is better, preferably a Ttdaily regular…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[badhon]

First off, I highly recommend you never visit Revspin again. That site is either too confusing or outright useless for beginners. I wish I had just completely disregarded that site years ago when trying to find a first (and second, and third) racket.

Before I make any purchases, I'd ask people at the club to try out two different types of setup. One all wood with tensor rubber like Rakza 7. Another with more direct Chinese rubber.

People will say that "you can't go wrong with Sweden Extra and Rakza 7." Personally I found that not true. I didn't like bouncy rubbers and the only time I felt comfortable with a racket was with Chinese rubber. Literally tried $4 Mercury 2 and liked it way more than $40 Nittaku Fastarc.

The only person who will know what you like is you. Not some person on the internet.

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a club to try out different setups. I was hoping someone could share their experiences comparing a premade setup to a custom one as mentioned above.

 

[Crillo]

Yasaka Sweden Extra is truly a great blade you can´t go wrong with it. Rakza 7's are nice or maybe Nittaku Factive on both sides, great rubbers to.

 

[badhon]

Yasaka Sweden Extra is truly a great blade you can´t go wrong with it. Rakza 7's are nice or maybe Nittaku Factive on both sides, great rubbers to.

I read that YSE can be a bit heavier (around 85-87g) and slower compared to the Andro blades. Have you ever tried the Andro Timber 5 off or all?

 

[Crillo]

I read that YSE can be a bit heavier (around 85-87g) and slower compared to the Andro blades. Have you ever tried the Andro Timber 5 off or all?

I have a YSE 82g old one(82 or 85 does not matter for you, your rubbers are not heavy so no problems), ask for a lite one. Never tried Andro. I prefer Butterfly or Stiga but YSE are great and not to fast. Donic Appelgren Allplay can be another alternative. But don´t overthink it, go for a classic and easy rubbers and practice a lot. Have fun!

 

[Tomboov247]

Hello, I’m a beginner and have been using a premade bat (Stiga Evolution) for a few weeks. I like how lightweight it is, but I’m thinking of switching to a custom paddle, as many people recommend. For the rubber, I’m considering using Rakza 7 2mm for the forehand and Rakza 7 Soft 2mm for the backhand. However, I’m having trouble deciding on the blade. The options I’m looking at are:

1. Yasaka Sweden Extra
2. Andro Timber 5 ALL/S
3. Andro Timber 5 OFF

(According to Revspin ratings, option 1 has lower speed, while options 2 and 3 offer both higher speed and control. I'm not sure if the higher speed is beneficial for my level or not.)

As a beginner who prefers a lightweight bat, which of these blades would be better for developing good technique? Additionally, what differences should I expect compared to the Stiga Evolution with this custom setup? I’d really appreciate any advice or guidance.

Yasaka Sweden extra is a perfect choice! It's a very reliable blade which can give you a lot on the attack too. Control is superb, it assists in spin generation, it doesn't pop srve returns and speed is enough to play fast shots when you add power.

For a very cheap alternative - Loki Kirin K2 - believe me... It's so so good for under 10 euro from AliExpress! It's slightly different but very similar to the yasaka Sweden extra (which is a little bit better on the attack)

Now as for rakza 7, I don't recommend it coming from premade, it's too bouncy and very uncontrollable compared to a premade.

I would go to hk1997 gold or friendship bloom power on FH, and AK-47 red (yes the hardest with Sweden extra) on BH. Both rubbers combined Will cost less than rakza 7 and you will actually be able to use them well. They're much easier than tensors to use well, but they're still very fast and spinny so they're for intermediate players.

For even cheaper, with maybe even more control but less spin and speed - reactor tornado V on FH and Loki rxton 1 on BH. These are perfect if you're a beginner/ low level player because they give the best control with enough speed but spin is a bit lower. They are very easy to use well.

 

[badhon]

Yasaka Sweden extra is a perfect choice! It's a very reliable blade which can give you a lot on the attack too. Control is superb, it assists in spin generation, it doesn't pop srve returns and speed is enough to play fast shots when you add power.

For a very cheap alternative - Loki Kirin K2 - believe me... It's so so good for under 10 euro from AliExpress! It's slightly different but very similar to the yasaka Sweden extra (which is a little bit better on the attack)

Now as for rakza 7, I don't recommend it coming from premade, it's too bouncy and very uncontrollable compared to a premade.

I would go to hk1997 gold or friendship bloom power on FH, and AK-47 red (yes the hardest with Sweden extra) on BH. Both rubbers combined Will cost less than rakza 7 and you will actually be able to use them well. They're much easier than tensors to use well, but they're still very fast and spinny so they're for intermediate players.

For even cheaper, with maybe even more control but less spin and speed - reactor tornado V on FH and Loki rxton 1 on BH. These are perfect if you're a beginner/ low level player because they give the best control with enough speed but spin is a bit lower. They are very easy to use well.

Thank you so much for your recommendations! I decided to go with Rakza 7 (2mm) for the forehand, Rakza 7 Soft (2mm) for the backhand, and the Andro Timber 5 ALL/S blade. So far, I’m really enjoying it! The combination is lightweight, which is exactly what I was looking for, and I’m gradually adjusting to the speed of the rubber. After practicing for a couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my game. I’m also considering a second bat and can use your suggestions there. Perhaps a slower rubber for the backhand will help me keep the balls on the board!

 

[Tomboov247]

Thank you so much for your recommendations! I decided to go with Rakza 7 (2mm) for the forehand, Rakza 7 Soft (2mm) for the backhand, and the Andro Timber 5 ALL/S blade. So far, I’m really enjoying it! The combination is lightweight, which is exactly what I was looking for, and I’m gradually adjusting to the speed of the rubber. After practicing for a couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my game. I’m also considering a second bat and can use your suggestions there. Perhaps a slower rubber for the backhand will help me keep the balls on the board!

Although AK-47 is very fast, it's really a point and click rubber... Just point where you want the ball to go and the ball goes! I can hardly ever miss the table with it. Even blocks are amazing.... You have great speed but amazing control. Not so amazing spin but for BH it's just awesome