OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Ok, so I finally bought a table and am getting back into some table tennis. I used to play a lot with my family and friends when I was a kid back in the early and mid 90s and have a few old paddles that I haven't used in a long long while. My dad had a very old paddle, a butterfly X Star Model M I think from the 70s. The rubbers were badly damaged so I took them off recently and the blade looks in decent shape.

My questions are...what type of blade is it, composition etc? It feels light and not a very hard wood. I'm guessing it's like the more recent X Stars? What type of rubber style would be ideal for this type of blade? I've been looking for a blade or setup for short pips, would this be suitable? It feels a little soft to be a hardbat, but maybe with a sponge it could work? Anyways, I know this blade is sought after since it's pretty rare and I'd hate to ruin a vintage blade with a horrible set up just because I want a Pips out paddle haha, there are others I can do that to. Sorry for all the rookie questions and thanks in advance!

I would try and sell it on mate-its on rarepaddles.com
You may damage it if you use it

Pips out won't hurt the blade one bit. Not unless you use Gorilla Glue to glue it on, of course..



Iskandar

sorry double post.

Nah not going to sell it. We've had it for ages, and personally, I love retro stuff. Shoot, the tennis racket I play with is the original Head Radical Trysis! Things just aren't made with the same love that they once were IMO. Thanks for your reply!

Haha scratch the gorilla glue (kidding). Would you suggest a sponge if I were to go with some short pips? Not sure this blade feels dense enough for a hard bat, but then again I haven't handled to many naked blades.

I guess what I want to know is what type of blade it was originally intended for. All round balance, offensive, defensive, etc. Anyone know the type of wood composition? Is it safe to assume it has similar characteristics of more recent Xstars?