OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I play close to the table with long pimple (gangster) on forehand and tenergy 25 on backhand. I flat hit on both sides but also like to push and chop. I've played with a lot of Dr N blades all balsa but now I'm playing at a higher im lacking control and making to many mistakes. Balls tend to pop up or on flat hits there going long. I now believe the balsa blades are to fast and want advice on the ideal blade for my style of play and set up.

I don't think the problem is with balsa per se. It's more the problem with the thickness of it. I have a TSP 3.0 balsa with carbon. The control against the loops is nothing short of amazing. You can chop short and just over the net.

Yes, agree nachalnik

What blade are you currently using, and is the Gangster OX or with sponge?

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the gangster is sponge 1mm. Im currently playing the Dr Neubauer Special blade ( very thick). Ive also got the bulldog, bulldozer & Titan blades along with the Giant Dragon Kriss 2 combination blade. Do you think any of these would be a better set up for my style of play.

You already have them, so what stops you from trying these blades out? Number of people who tried these exact blades, together with rubbers you want AND playing your style at similar level is very likely small: probably close to 1, and that is counting you.

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USATT: 1807 | League: 1887

Hahaha think you might be right and maybe that's why I'm struggling. I have tried then all and the only one that gives real control is the Kriss 2 but I am wondering if I should change from balsa. What would be a good blade for a close to the table player.

I am very fond of the Donic Defplay Senso. Good control, very light weight, I can also generate an attack with it.

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USATT Rating: 1725
Blade: Stiga Cybershape Carbon
FH Rubber: Butterfly Tenergy 19 2.1
BH Rubber: Dr Neubauer ABS3 1.5

If you want to try something other than balsa with great control, there's Dr. N's KungFu. 4.1mm of pure control. The other ones that come to mind are Nittaku Shake Defence and Bty Gionis Def. both very solid choices, a bit faster than KungFu...

I agree with Nachalnik. The Nittaku Shake Defense has excellent control but it has a BIG face and handle, lots of fun once you get used to it though. I've also found the Darker Spline D1 an excellent choice, it's like a improved version of the Donic Defplay Senso in that it has much better "feel", better handle and more evenly weighted blade-to-handle.