OOAK Table Tennis Forum


A truly International Table Tennis Community for both Defensive and Offensive styles!
OOAK Forum Links About OOAK Table Tennis Forum OOAK Forum Memory
It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 19:00


Don't want to see any advertising? Become a member and login, and you'll never see an ad again!



All times are UTC + 9:30 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 42 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 26 Jul 2012, 03:45 
Offline
OOAK Super User
OOAK Super User
User avatar

Joined: 21 Mar 2007, 15:49
Posts: 1566
Location: USofA
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 15 times
tobhik wrote:
TOD and Cogito, what is the weight of your tuvalu.

can you compare the blade with Tachi (if you have tachi).

I am still abroad in KL, would be back on Monday to do the order (nexy has emailed me the bank transfer detail).


I had two Taichi blades, the Tuvalu plays better (more responsive, better braking w/long pips side) it weighs eighty grams.
tOD


Top
 Profile  
 


 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 00:22 
Offline
Super User

Joined: 30 Oct 2008, 18:55
Posts: 259
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time
theOldDuffer wrote:
tobhik wrote:
TOD and Cogito, what is the weight of your tuvalu.

can you compare the blade with Tachi (if you have tachi).

I am still abroad in KL, would be back on Monday to do the order (nexy has emailed me the bank transfer detail).


I had two Taichi blades, the Tuvalu plays better (more responsive, better braking w/long pips side) it weighs eighty grams.
tOD


@TOD,

Tachi or Taichi ?

how is the speed comparation ? for each FH and BH side compare with Tachi.

What do you mean with better braking w LP side?

thanks.

_________________
BTY Amultart, BH: Superblock red OX, FH: Tenergy 05 2.1mm


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 01:53 
Offline
Incredible Shrinking Man
User avatar

Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 15:46
Posts: 628
Location: Denmark
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 17 times
2nd session
But only with lower ranked players

This is a very fantastic blade...
I like the sound the blade makes when hitting..

Brake effect on BH is unbelievable...
I still compare this blade to Dr. N Firewall plus,
speed is almost the same, but Firewall don't have
the same braking effect at all...
At the table chop-blocking and pushing
this is a dream-setup for me...
BUT...
When i be back again I will try this setup
against high level players... I am very excited
to see if I can block these hard and spinny loops they make...

You can use this blade as a chopper... But only in emergence I think...
Yes, I could chop.. but this was against some older low level players..
I personally prefer other blades for this...
If I made my normally chop motion the ball went too long...

Hitting
You should see how the ball skids off the table when hitting hard...
With my BH..
The ball never came back to me...
FH.. Ok for blocking at the table...
For looping I need a little more dwell time...

Over for now..

Cheers
Geddk


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 02:51 
Offline
OOAK Super User
OOAK Super User
User avatar

Joined: 21 Mar 2007, 15:49
Posts: 1566
Location: USofA
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 15 times
tobhik wrote:
theOldDuffer wrote:
tobhik wrote:
TOD and Cogito, what is the weight of your tuvalu.

can you compare the blade with Tachi (if you have tachi).

I am still abroad in KL, would be back on Monday to do the order (nexy has emailed me the bank transfer detail).


I had two Taichi blades, the Tuvalu plays better (more responsive, better braking w/long pips side) it weighs eighty grams.
tOD


@TOD,

Tachi or Taichi ?

how is the speed comparation ? for each FH and BH side compare with Tachi.

What do you mean with better braking w LP side?


OK points off for poor spelling Tachi

Forehand is faster, but with no loss of control, but remember I am not a looper
The backhand is slower. Braking is how rapidly the ball slows after it strikes the receiver's bat.
TOD


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 04:13 
Offline
Super User

Joined: 16 Jan 2009, 21:38
Posts: 256
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 22 times
I am strongly irritated :^) about the braking effect noticed by two other testers. For me one of the weak points in Tuvalu are the difficulties upon backhand blocking of heavy spins and shots. The other is the inability to build up a solid defense far from the table. Both features results from the same physical effect: the catapult of the balsa (which on the other hand is responsible for the excellence of attacking via backhand). I should mention that I am familiar with balsa blades.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 04:56 
Offline
Incredible Shrinking Man
User avatar

Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 15:46
Posts: 628
Location: Denmark
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 17 times
I only have 2 other rather fat balsa blades...
Cayman and Firewall plus....
And I have tried D.Tecs on both blades...
And I didn't fell the brake-effect that I feel with
Tuvalu... They were simply to fast for me and
often went to long...
By all means.. Tuvalu is also fast, so maybe
my Technic has improved since trying those blades.. I don't know...
But chop-blocking with soft hand landed almost
every ball on the table... I didn't feel the difference
bouncing the ball without rubber only when playing though ...

I intense to agree with you when playing with
high level players it would probably be hard to land
the ball on the table... But I will meet a heavy looper soon...
I will let you know..

Cheers
Geddk


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 05:46 
Offline
Super User

Joined: 16 Jan 2009, 21:38
Posts: 256
Location: Germany
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 22 times
Geddk wrote:
I intense to agree with you when playing with
high level players it would probably be hard to land
the ball on the table... But I will meet a heavy looper soon...
I will let you know..
..


That will be interesting. I had only few problems blocking against players of my strength. But when strong guys hammered on my backhand I could not manage it at all. I think it is not possible to create a "squared circle". Either you have excellent off qualities or you have excellent def qualities. Or you have a compromise in between.

Therefore I think that the Tuvalu is first choice for aggressive LP-players who do not block topspins close to the table but attack the topspins from mid distance.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 05:57 
Offline
Incredible Shrinking Man
User avatar

Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 15:46
Posts: 628
Location: Denmark
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 17 times
I cant quiet follow your point here...

I intend to use this setup
close to the table...
Aka pushblocker...

And of course...

If I meet heavy loopers and I can't
hold the ball at the table I will go mid distance to
see if I can land the ball on the table from that position ..

Weight of my blade is 81 gram...
Ang tod 80 gram...

Don't know if that matters...

Cheers
Geddk


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 07:54 
Offline
Full member
User avatar

Joined: 06 Jun 2008, 03:39
Posts: 87
Location: Essex, England
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
I will be testing first up against a very strong looper (so Devo) on Sunday. My usual backhand strokes are chopping back from the table or half volley sidey drop shots. Be interesting to see how it copes. Also against short to mid chop I try to hardbat style backhand flick through the ball.

_________________
Blade: Tachi, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: Nexy Tavalu, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: DrN Firewall, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Giant Talon

gathering dust awaiting next return of banned rubbers:
Blade: DrN High Tech Plus, F/H: Gambler Outlaw 2.0, B/H DR N Monster OX
Blade: Butterfly Grubba Pro, F/H: Gambler Outlaw 2.0, B/H: Grass Spezial OX

sold:
Blade: Mephisto 7001, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: Tachi-red, F/H: Hexer+, B/H: Grass DTECS OX


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 09:26 
Offline
Super User

Joined: 30 Oct 2008, 18:55
Posts: 259
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time
where are the videos...... :headbang:

interesting finding on the blocking capability against strong loop. Cogito has difficulties to keep the ball short and his tuvalu weight is 87 gr. My playing style mostly loose-hand-block on the table that return the ball near to the net and I find that Tachi is the best.

@TOD,
You have Tachi then not the Taichi or KungFu or Karate.. :lol: And your tuvalu is 80 gr and the BH side is slower than Tachi.

awaiting coming back home on monday, I will have several days to hear about the strength of tuvalu against strong looper before I put my order.

thanks

_________________
BTY Amultart, BH: Superblock red OX, FH: Tenergy 05 2.1mm


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 17:44 
Offline
Incredible Shrinking Man
User avatar

Joined: 01 Sep 2010, 15:46
Posts: 628
Location: Denmark
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 17 times
Sorry, I don't have a video camera....

I will short try to explain the brake-effect
that I feel.

Maybe it is more a drop down effect that
"always" land the ball on the table, not near
the net but on the table though.
So I think because of the balls fly path
that I fell the brake-effect. Often when you
stand close to the table blocking the ball went
to long, but with this blade the ball has some
sort of "attraction" to the table. I hope you understand
what I am trying to explain.

So, this is what I mean about this brake-effect and
to me this is a lot more dangerous than just stopping
pace from the ball.

Cheers
Geddk


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 27 Jul 2012, 20:07 
Offline
Dark Knight
Dark Knight
User avatar

Joined: 13 Dec 2006, 12:34
Posts: 33337
Location: Adelaide, AU
Has thanked: 2741 times
Been thanked: 1548 times
Blade: Trinity Carbon
FH: Victas VS > 401
BH: Dr N Troublemaker OX
I just got mine as well! :rock: :rock: :rock: Mine is 82g as requested.

I must admit, from bouncing the ball on the blade, I find it hard to believe that the braking effect of the Tuvalu will be better than the Tachi as it feels so much faster!

_________________
OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 28 Jul 2012, 03:11 
Offline
Unorthodox Batman
Unorthodox Batman
User avatar

Joined: 18 Feb 2007, 03:40
Posts: 1122
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 10 times
haggisv wrote:
I just got mine as well! :rock: :rock: :rock: Mine is 82g as requested.

I must admit, from bouncing the ball on the blade, I find it hard to believe that the braking effect of the Tuvalu will be better than the Tachi as it feels so much faster!


This thread may end up just reinforcing what a breakthrough blade the Tachi is! Wonder if Pushblocker has his Tachi yet. I'm very keen to learn his impressions.

_________________
Tango Ultra 2mm black, DMS Storkraft 1.6mm red, DMS Invictus
Well done bat!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 28 Jul 2012, 03:40 
Offline
OOAK Super User
OOAK Super User
User avatar

Joined: 21 Mar 2007, 15:49
Posts: 1566
Location: USofA
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 15 times
haggisv wrote:
I just got mine as well! :rock: :rock: :rock: Mine is 82g as requested.

I must admit, from bouncing the ball on the blade, I find it hard to believe that the braking effect of the Tuvalu will be better than the Tachi as it feels so much faster!


I used the Tuvalu against two players today, both are strong 2000 level spinners. I still believe, after spending some time with each player, the blade really does have a strong braking effect when passive or stop blocking off the bounce with the red, OX, Kokutaku 911.

I couldn't tell any significant difference between the sides when doing the ball bounce test prior to attaching the rubber on the first day I had the blade. There were two other players there at that time and we all agreeded that the sound of a ball being bounced was not significantly different between the two sides.

I am thinking of taking the 911 off the Tuvalu and exchanging it with the sheet I have on my Leidy Chameleon 1.1 to see if I just have a particularly slow sheet of rubber on the Tuvalu. I will likely do that if everyone else is not seeing the braking effect just as sort of a controlled experiment.

I went to LKT over 2.0 Reactor sponge on the forehand today and the control improved, particularly against chop. Again, I normally hit rather than spin.
tOD

Side note:
I use Elmer's rubber cement mixed 50/50 with thinner and just let it air out before using


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Tuvalu Reviews
PostPosted: 30 Jul 2012, 00:00 
Offline
Full member
User avatar

Joined: 06 Jun 2008, 03:39
Posts: 87
Location: Essex, England
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
First up, top class finish, very nice. For the test, I will not be changing any rubbers from my go-to setup of the last 3 years, Grass D-TECS OX and Yasaka Pryde 2.0. So the only variable is the blade and this is largely being compared against my Tachi, because whatever other blade I have tried, I always return to the standard Tachi. It seems the best compromise, or the only one really I have found, that allows fairly fast spinny forehand and sufficient braking effect on the backhand.

I chose nearly the lightest, 82 grams, and pleased I did as my Rendler blade is advertised at 65 grams, so this is still somewhat heavier. Nicely balanced though and has a reassuring feel to it.

First training session

3 hours of play with Keith (so-devo on the forum) who knows my game inside out, we play Premier Local League together and also practice on Sunday mornings. He is always the first to see any new rubber or blade I have and is well placed to give feedback on effects of new equipment I try. I believe he will add some comment here later.

First backhand chop away from the table missed by 5 foot! But every change from Grass Spezial, Monster, D-Tecs, Firewall, Tachi etc has needed a period of adjustment. To go forward an hour, we played a regular doubles with 4 finely balanced players, and I played with this blade as if I had always used it. All other times with new equipment I would have had to switch back for quite a competitive match.

Extra weight and balance (compared with Tachi) works fine on the Forehand, smooth transition, very nice indeed using my regular Yasaka Pryde 2.0 - and it was quite an old sheet so can only play faster and spinnier with a new rubber on. Flatter loop action than I'm used to but pleasing.

On the Backhand, since non-friction rubbers went I have become more and more a chopper away from the table against loopers. With chops certainly need a more closed angle, and possibly slightly less bite effect, but easily returning strong loops with a flat trajectory. My last trial was with the Mephisto blade that just returned too high but this was much better. Overall very pleased with chops and easier to play. First look at some footage we recorded shows chopped returns a bit high but I'm sure this can be worked on with practice. They didn't feel particularly high when playing, and I think last time I videod playing, I thought the same :lol:

Blocks over table flew sometimes long, but a sidey wrist action brought some bending of the pips which gave control back.

Backhand flicking is my weapon on a good day with the confidence up. The difference between a win and a loss against a better player. Superb, even made some on the run which I never usually make. Not quite the lack of pace that fools a lot of people, but with speed to wrong-foot opponents and made about 90% rather than 70% normally. Those that missed were due to my poor execution, e.g.leaning back, head not kept down or playing a few inches right across my stomach instead of correct position.

Overall, a very interesting alternative to my Tachi which I doubted would ever be replaced, in fact I have recently bought a 2nd one and sold my Mephisto 7001. Easier to play with, maybe very slightly less bite and disturbance but this may come with further practice. But excellant attacking possibilities and really a great all-round blade for a player who mixes forehand attack with chopping and blocking on the backhand.

Further practice and matches against different players will decide whether this replaces my Tachi. But at the very least it will be in my bag alongside it and used whenever I want a more attacking game. It shows great promise :D

_________________
Blade: Tachi, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: Nexy Tavalu, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: DrN Firewall, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Giant Talon

gathering dust awaiting next return of banned rubbers:
Blade: DrN High Tech Plus, F/H: Gambler Outlaw 2.0, B/H DR N Monster OX
Blade: Butterfly Grubba Pro, F/H: Gambler Outlaw 2.0, B/H: Grass Spezial OX

sold:
Blade: Mephisto 7001, F/H: Yasaka Pryde 40 2.0, B/H: Grass DTECS OX
Blade: Tachi-red, F/H: Hexer+, B/H: Grass DTECS OX


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 42 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next




All times are UTC + 9:30 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Copyright 2018 OOAK Table Tennis Forum. The information on this site cannot be reused without written permission.

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group