Monolith wrote:
lasta wrote:
I whole-heartly recommend spin-leaning pips regardless of distance from table. Actually thinking about the Impartial XS once my current is worn out.
Nevertheless, I second BRS regarding forcing yourself to stay close. While you can loop mid-distance with spinny pips, you will always be at an intrinsic disadvantage. A fast block close to the table will take you much further than any kind of short pips loop.
As a rule, never back away so much that you can't reach the table with your racket while leaning in.
Also, not to be offensive, but I found the PG7 to be a bit too flexible for a 7-ply. Before changing rubbers, I recommend you try something a little more solid. Samsonov force, clippers etc are better suited for pips.
I have recently started using sort pip long pip combo on a Dr Neubauer firewall plus blade which is balsa and quite thick but I am now told balsa is wrong for short pips although it seems to work quite well for me with Spinlord Waran on fore hand and long pips backhand
I’m also thinking of trying short pips on both sides of my other firewall plus blade one side a spiny type pip I have a sheet of tsp spin pips which I would use on forehand and a more traditional type of non spin short pip for backhand to receive service more
Is there a more apple type of blade I should use for this type of set up or is the Dr Neubauer Firewall ok
Many thanks for any advice
Hi Monolith,
I'm not familiar with that beast of a firewall but I tend to agree with the consensus and "soft" core blades are not my preference.
I never tried balsa, but the closest thing I have is a thick kiri core Adidas c300 and I did not like it for short pips. Nice crack and trampoline feel during high impact, but otherwise too "hollow", too soft, and feedback is muffled. Furthermore, the TSP will have a slightly softer topsheet (not sponge) than your Waran so the mushy, muffled feeling will be even more amplified. Sorry to rain down on your gear, but just my experience and preferences go the opposite direction.
I've been trying a lot of blades recently, a couple of observations if you are open to a new direction:
Classic 7-plies (6.6mm+ limba ayous ala clipper, samsonov force, challenge speed, SK7, andro timber etc): Perfect sweetspot! No matter how much others you try, these blades simply feel good. Medium feel, not too hard, but dense on hard impact and plenty of reinforced feeling. Balanced.
Exotic hardwood 7-plies (ebenholz, gatien absolum, ebony-surface all woods): sharp, clear feedback. Crisp on low impact shots. However usually made thinner than softwood 7-plies due to excessive weight of surface material and I believe the trade-off makes them less efficient, less stiff overall. Not as bouncy as classic 7-plies. Also a unique feature is a clear inflection point on hard impact (max effort smashes) whereby the top layer starts to deform and starts to feel softer (and perceived hollow) the harder you hit. Fast on flicks, great blocking feel, but lacks finishing power or at least feels that way. Heavy.
Harder 7-plies (Boll W7, Clearfield): Thick like classic 7-plies, but with Koto instead of limba. Mine is still in transit, but I hope it will be a nice middle ground between classic and exotic hardwoods. Lets see if a semi-hard top layer with adequate center support will avoid that dreaded hollow feeling.
Antique woods (DHS 08, and pretty much all 70s/80s Chinese blades): basswood and meranti mix. Softer basswood surface and medial layers, harder meranti core layers. Extremely heavy due to use of hardwood cores but the gradual transition from medium-soft to hard gives excellent hand feel. Not as bouncy on low impact, but pretty much unlimited power on full effort shots. Heavy as in 100g+, sometimes 120g+, so be aware. Excellent and substantial feel. I have 2 that I use single-sided penhold with, but I'm guessing that's not an option for you
.
Composites: as you can see above, I value hand feel, impact sensation, feedback etc. Composites are fast, stiff, hard and light. Sounds perfect for short pips, but composites also unanimously have "vibration dampening" characteristics. None of them feel as clear and crisp as all woods. There is a dreaded "dead middle zone" where moderate impact (80-90% effort) shots are dulled and feels like you are not hitting hard enough. But if you don't care about hand feel, these blades are very "efficient".
I recommend starting with the classic 7-plies. Pick the cheapest one as compositions are pretty much the same across brands.