My IF zlc actually feels somewhat slower than my TBS, althouh it could be atributed to the difference in the weight (85gr vs 92gr)
As someone that has carbon addiction but is still below 2000, imo innerforce will hit the spot for someone like me. the blade has a lot of feedback and easier short game, where ALC blade is particularly bad
Yeah. Similar speed category. Depending on the weight of each an IF ZLC could be faster or slower by a modest margin than a TBS. A 92 gram TBS would also feel better and be faster than an 85 gram TBS. Ditto on the IF ZLC.
Do you have any recommendations for a nice all-round blade for developing players? I probably already own it
(Grubba, Innershield ZLF, Kim Kyung Ah, Liu Shiwen, Innerforce Layer Series, Garaydia Series, Timo boll w7, hadraw SK/SR, samsonov black edition, chen defender, victas matsush ita, xiom vega pro, ebenholz 7, waldner champion 89, timo boll t5000, xiom axelo, xiom aigis, balsa carbo x5, mazunov, joo se hyuk, rossi emotion, etc...)
Here are blades I would recommend for someone who is an advanced-intermediate or lower level player. These blades would be pretty decent for anyone who is lower level than semi-pro (in no particular order):
1) Nittaku Acoustic
2) Nittaku Violin
3) OSP Virtioso Off-
4) OSP Virtuoso Plus
5) Nexy Peter Pan
6) Stiga Allround Evolution
7) Tibhar Stratus Power Wood
8) Yasaka Sweden Extra
9) Stiga Offensive Classic
10) Stiga Tube Allround
11) Xiom Offensive S
12) Tibhar Kim Jung Hoon (it is actually a 7 ply but plays like a 5 ply and has similar flex to a decent 5 ply)
As far as I can see, none of these were on your list and most of the blades on your list were 7 ply and/or carbon.
The advantage of a 5 ply all wood blade with decent flex, good dwell time, and a decent amount of feeling can only be assessed when you have used one for a few months without using other blades, AND THEN you take a few knocks with a carbon blade. I can't explain it so easily. But you would understand if you did that experiment.
Maybe I'll ask him about rubbers...........
I have to be honest, these days I don't know much about rubbers except what I like, and a few less expensive options that are good for people learning to looping and using their first tensor type rubber.
NextLevel and AndySmith are the man, or men, when it comes to up to date info on equipment.
The rubbers I like these days are T05 and MXP/FXP. ELS sounds like it may be worth a try for BH but I would still probably like the extra catapult of FXP better. Can't tell unless I try. But, to me it is not important. What I have works. [emoji2]
That does explain why people that try my bat always say its heavy though, guess that's the 7 ply and the max rubbers, I don't mind it, other peoples bats now feel light to me but it does also make me lean towards a 5 ply should I decide to change my blade in the future.
I have to be honest, I love blades that have a little extra weight and inertia behind them. My blade is a 5 ply that weighs about 91 grams. There is still a value to the thinner blade with the extra flex even if you got one that was a similar weight to a 7 ply blade.
What this little discussion has also made me realise is that getting caught up the technicalities of science can confuse the basic fact that proper technique and commitment to your shots is as important as anything so I thank you all for that.
Yeah, in this case technology, for a player refining and developing touch, feel and the technique to spin the ball HEAVY, can actually hinder progress.
It is worth knowing that EVERY offensive player in the top 100 in the world would be pretty okay with any of the blades on my list. In fact, back in 2007-2009 Ma Long used a Nittaku Acoustic. If you watch footage from back then, his shots were faster but they had less spin. His technique has improved. But he still would be fine with that blade he used to use.
In 2005 8 of the top 10 used all wood blades. Today 9 out of 10 use a composite blade like an ALC. But they all could use all wood still.
However, many intermediate players get the kind of blade that guys in the top tier use without knowing it hinders their progress.
A 5 ply, all wood blade, like one of the ones I am talking about, would be a worthwhile switch for upwards of 90% of all TTDaily members. Even some of the guys who are in the elite player level would still benefit from the higher spin/speed ratio and the ability to place the ball with higher angles while maintaining placement and control.
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