OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Hello all! I'm totally new, so please forgive any and all lingo mistakes

I just purchased a Stiga Evolution Blade (Paddle?).

My question is - is it supposed to smell like spray paint???

I work in for and Environmental Consulting firm and when I opened this thing the smell was so pervasive we decided to test it. It read over 700 ppm on a PID, which is almost harmful to human health... Is this kind of offgassing normal?

My second question is about the paper strip that runs around the perimeter of the blade. Brand new out of the package this strip is already separated, or bubbled up, in several places. I'm not talking about the rubber, that seems securely fastened to the blade, but the paper strip is already coming loose. Is this strip necessary? Is my 'nice' paddle from Academy actually a cheaply made rip-off? Thanks!

Welcome backspin. What you describe appears quite normal. Some rubbers do have a strong smell though not sure if it like spray paint. I also don't believe that anyone has died from the fumes but I could be wrong..... and there's always a first.

The edge tape coming off is common with premades. You don't really need it though it might provide a little protection when you hit the table with it. You could buy a decent strip of edge tape for a couple of dollars if you wanted.

I've not played with that bat and some premades are surprisingly good but generally if paying $50 out more you can get a lot more for your money buying custom IE a blade and 2 rubber sheets and the shop assembles the bat.

Depending on who you play and what your goals are, I'd stick to what you have for now and just have fun. If you are paying lots, the bat will wear, the edge chip etc and you will need a new one in about a year so upgrade then.



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Stiga is known for relatively high priced blades of high quality, but this apparently does not extend to its pre-mades. Though you'd think that edge tape coming off would be something you'd see on a Double Fish pre-made rather than a Stiga one.

Iskandar