OOAK Table Tennis Forum
https://ooakforum.com/

Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
https://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=31490		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  HuLimei [ 20 Jun 2017, 02:56 ]
Post subject:  Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Hey guys. I found this old "Prasidha" blade that appears to be a premade but it's seriously the highest quality premade I've ever seen. It's a 7-ply.
From what I've gathered the brand is made in Hong Kong. It came with a Double Fish 830 sheet and in what appears to be an antique bat wallet.

Image
Bat Wallet

Image
Sheet. Handle is also made out of considerably dense wood.

Image
Back has an indestructible black sticker. This is seriously durable.

Image
Image
Core appears to be Carbon but I can't tell. It's probably some sort of hard wood.
Why would someone use Carbon as a core? And why would someone waste carbon on a premade?
Author:  fleetwood999 [ 20 Jun 2017, 07:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
That flattened oval handle shape was common in pre-made Double Happiness blades too in the 1970s or 1980s. The premades I had were usually very stiff, dense and heavy blades.
Core is almost sure to be dark dyed wood. Double Fish/Prasidha was probably putting out the same shape as other Chinese or Hong Kong companies. It looks the same as the Friendship or DH or GoldPalm stuff sold in the US in sporting goods stores. The flatter oval handle pieces probably saved on cost.

The two color rule didn't come into effect until 1986 and the black sticker surface on the back with red rubber would seem to suggest that the date of the racket as likely not earlier than 1986.
Author:  HuLimei [ 20 Jun 2017, 13:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
fleetwood999 wrote:
That flattened oval handle shape was common in pre-made Double Happiness blades too in the 1970s or 1980s. The premades I had were usually very stiff, dense and heavy blades.
Core is almost sure to be dark dyed wood. Double Fish/Prasidha was probably putting out the same shape as other Chinese or Hong Kong companies. It looks the same as the Friendship or DH or GoldPalm stuff sold in the US in sporting goods stores. The flatter oval handle pieces probably saved on cost.

The two color rule didn't come into effect until 1986 and the black sticker surface on the back with red rubber would seem to suggest that the date of the racket as likely not earlier than 1986.

Thanks! This is a lot of good info.
I have to say the handle is the most comfortable i've ever used. They took time to dye and smoothen it out for the player.
Can't wait to see how it plays.
Author:  iskandar taib [ 20 Jun 2017, 13:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Probably weighs a ton.. :lol:

You should troll old Chinese bookstores - you never know what you'll find.

Iskandar
Author:  HuLimei [ 20 Jun 2017, 13:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
iskandar taib wrote:
Probably weighs a ton.. :lol:
You should troll old Chinese bookstores - you never know what you'll find.
Iskandar

1 sheet setup weighed 154 grams. It also has a large head size so it's probably weigh in the 210-215 range when I use it since I use Chinese FH and BH. Will be updating after I get back from the club tonight. :)
I actually got it from a Japanese thrift shop which explains why it came in an old BTY Bat Wallet.
Was probably owned by a guy who visited HK or something.

I also own some old Chinese premades: Shield brand 5 ply, DHS G1835 Cheapo 7-ply.
I found a blade in there too called "Meteor" but it was pretty flimsy and looked like it was gonna snap after a few hits.
Author:  rokphish2 [ 20 Jun 2017, 15:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
I have the shake hand one... Haven't gotten the heart to scrape the rubbers, fix it a bit, and try to play with it with current rubbers.

Image

Weird handle shape. Square-conic/flare shape. But surprisingly comfortable to hold.
Author:  HuLimei [ 20 Jun 2017, 18:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
rokphish2 wrote:
I have the shake hand one... Haven't gotten the heart to scrape the rubbers, fix it a bit, and try to play with it with current rubbers.

Good stuff. Does it come with the same plies?

I really want to confirm what that core material is. :up:
Author:  rokphish2 [ 21 Jun 2017, 01:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
I'm currently in China, so won't be able to tell you. This is the only photo I have with me, which fortunately was posted on my instagram otherwise I won't be able to post at all.

Like said above, most likely you won't know what it is, just know it isn't carbon. Looks too thick for carbon.
Author:  iskandar taib [ 21 Jun 2017, 03:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Thick or not, it still might be carbon. Who was it who was making center carbon blades - I think it was ASTI, in the late 1990s.

Iskandar
Author:  rokphish2 [ 21 Jun 2017, 16:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Look at the third and fourth photos and the grains suggest wood rather than carbon.
Author:  iskandar taib [ 21 Jun 2017, 17:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Fourth one does indeed suggest wood. The third one, well, someone used coarse sandpaper at the factory.. :lol:

Iskandar
Author:  HuLimei [ 21 Jun 2017, 17:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
iskandar taib wrote:
Thick or not, it still might be carbon. Who was it who was making center carbon blades - I think it was ASTI, in the late 1990s.

Iskandar

I found a new one. DHS PG13. It's a 4+1.
Now I'm wondering how a carbon center blade plays. :up:

Author:  iskandar taib [ 21 Jun 2017, 22:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
If you think about it, a center carbon (or other composite reinforcement ) layer would be the logical conclusion to all those "innerforce" type designs that seem to be all the rage as of late. Whatever good qualities they have, the center carbon would have more of the same.

Iskandar
Author:  man_iii [ 21 Jun 2017, 22:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
Ugghhh .... Uni-axial carbon ? ULC blade ? I read somewhere on internet that someone dropped it on the floor and it clean snapped in two!
Author:  iskandar taib [ 21 Jun 2017, 23:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Antique blade (Prasidha?). Weird Core.
The only way that would happen is if all of the wood plies had the grain running the same way as the uniaxial carbon. And I can't imagine anyone would build a blade like that.

By the way, what does uniaxial carbon have to do with the discussion? :lol:

Iskandar
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC + 9:30 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/