OOAK Table Tennis Forum

There's a young 22 year old Romanian that's playing on a pay and play basis at our club and he has been tempted by a list of blades that are for sell from one of our members.
He's currently using a Xiom Ignito with new rubbers - a 5Q and a 5QS on the FH/BH.
He has only been playing for a year proper but was playing practically everyday on and off at different times both here and in his home country. Gave the impression that he played anywhere there was a table with guys who were students mostly Arabic.
Has an exceptional forehand but does not really have a backhand.
Really keen player that's eager to improve.

I suggested that he opt for the Offensive S but I have not had a play with the Offensive S.

I had a play with the blades on offer (except the Offensive S) and would rank them in this order. Please feel free to correct me if anyone reckons the ranking is wrong.
Did not play with his Ignito but played against it.

Speed : Ignito > XZQ > V1 > VPS > Offensive S
Control : Offensive S > XZQ > V1 > VPS > Ignito
Skill to play with : Offensive S < XZQ < V1 < VPS < Ignito

Get the impression that the V1 is a toned down XZQ but the XZQ is a great all rounder if you like Hinoki.
Offensive S is like a Clipper (I think)
Ignito is possibly too fast for a guy who wants to develop a BH

It was suggested that using a Donic Vario or similar on the BH of the Ignito should be good enough.

This guy can't afford to be chopping and changing his blades as if there's no tomorrow.

Appreciate any inputs - have only got some real experience on the 5Q - which is a very juiced up rubber and the XZQ which I found to be a great control blade but I found it too heavy for max tenergies and a bit stiff.

He was tempted by the VPS but would this be an easier to use blade than an Offensive S.
VPS is the dearest blade.
Personally I liked the V1 of all the blades but it's still a composite.

Got some feedback from the guy selling the blades that the young Romanian guy was taking sets of most in the club today and beat a division 2 ranked player. Seems he had some guidance from a decent French coach which explains his Forehand.
Transferred his rubbers over to the Offensive S but was unhappy with the power on the FH compared with his Ignito.
I had given him a used Hexer Powersponge as an interim replacement for the 5QS and he put this on his BH which apparently improved it a little.
He's now interested in the VPS.
Again any inputs appreciated on the Stiga blade.

Good on you for trying to help him!

I'm afraid I've not used those blades, so I can't compare.

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Give him a Joola T-Hold White Spot with some modern rubbers and call it a day. Blade is cheap as dirt and can loop, even if the speed is NEGATIVE number.

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Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter

From the little googling I did on that blade it seems that it's a defensive blade.
This Romanian guy is all fire in belly and wants to go a 100 mile a minute.
He might slow down a little for the touch game and for consistency but the way he'll throttle back is with one of the above blades or something similar.

Well to be honest - I've a little vested interest in those blades.
Since we're all of limited funds one can't always go out and try out blades without in some cases buying them and then having the ordeal of having to sell them.
This way I get to have a play with somebody else's gear and sometimes get to buy the pick of the crop at very reasonable money.
I have been given all the blades to sell but the owner isn't too pushed as to when they sell.
Like to see them getting a new home.
If we end up with a potential player in the club that can sub for our team next season that will be icing on the cake.

So as a way of bumping this thread would really appreciate some inputs on the blades and their differences and particularly interested in the VPS.

Even if that blade is NEGATIVE DEF speed class, it is worthwhile for this new player to grow his first little time using it...

WHY ??

Blade is HUGE oversized, so he will get to a few balls he normally wouldn't

Since blade is big, the rubbers cut to fit it will be 5-10 grams heavier than normal. This will train the new player's muscles just fine.

As slow as it is, with a modern rubber, you can still put a lick the ball a bit.

Since this thing has MAX dwell, their isn't a friendlier blade that is more forgiving for learning how to loop. That is important as many new players give up hope really quickly when they learn how difficult this game really is. Since it is vibrating wood, and slow as all letout, he can develop a neat touch with some help from his friends.

Countering when parked close to the table performs WAY better than a TBS. This helps him build confidence in becoming an attacking player.

Since the speed of this thing is slightly less than an elderly turtle on crutches, he will soon enough desire something faster. (Hopefull after he gains valuable offensive close to the table skills) This will help him learn how to select a blade and how to glue on new or old rubbers... a valuable skill.

It won't cost him any new rubbers. Since the blade is way oversized, they are a guaranteed fit on any new blade he gets.

This blade is a classic and easily resold or gifted to a new player, he won't lose his precious initial investment.



I am NOT making up any of this. I actually operated this blade way back in the day.

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Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter

Thanks for all that info.
I might get one of those blades just to have handy.

Doubt this Romanian guy would go for it.
His forehand is very good and loops just fine.
The problem is with his BH.
It was suggested that he go for the V1 but even an Appelgren all play would be a good option.

Went looking, found this:

http://www.joola.us/2014/04/the-joola-chop-blade/

ROFL....

Iskandar

He could always try these...

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Goof-off chopping bat
Gambler All Rosewood
Aurus Soft / Gambler GXL .6 sponge

Status - Out of Business Janitor/Babysitter

Thought that half blade was a joke but it's real !

Had a good play with the Stiga Infninity VPS and it has a very disappointing hollow sound.
It's only when you hit / smash with it does the sound go.
It lacks the top gear of a composite blade and feels kinda fake.
Really can't see how it would be a replacement to a Clipper which some had reputed it to be.

Of 2 minds if I'll put them up on the FS section.