OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I've been desperately looking for a defensive blade with carbon in it. Something faster than my Innershield, with a nicer feeling than my JSH.

I bought a VKMO... but it still feels decidedly wooden. magnuseffect then told me about the new VKM ZC - containing two layers of "Z Carbon" - which isn't available in the UK, or anywhere in EU from what I can see. I took the chance to order one from tt-japan.net and it arrived today.

Link to the Victas website here: https://www.victas.com/en_gb/products/b ... sushita-zc

Here are some pictures, and some comparisons to my VKMO:







The head size is identical to the VKMO, but the grip is definitely shorter! Probably by as much as 5mm.

I will have a chance to play with it on Thursday, so I'll post a review at some point after that.

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My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

It will be interesting to learn how stiff and hard it feels as well as the speed. The inner carbon layers plus softer outer plies may give it a good touch as well as more speed.

It is probably the hard mahogany outer plies on the VKMO you do not like , I for one preferring the core layers to give speed and soft outers for touch

If carbon defensive blade is the goal, then Nittaku Shake Defense is an option too (unless it's no longer made, out of stock at Tabletennis11). I used it for a while, but honestly can't tell how different it is from other blades and whether it matters much for my game .

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USATT: 1715 | League: 1887

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the new Matsushita blade. I used the special version for a couple tournaments and really loved it ( i retired it only after donking it on the table ). I totally agree with ChasFox about preferring a softer outer veneer for control. This is the main reason I've never felt comfortable with the VMO, but the special version is VERY different imo. It's quite cushioned yet spin insensitive. I've heard on Japanese youtuber video describe the new blade has even better control and perhaps slower than the special.

Interestingly the VKM special is marketed by Victas as an All blade and the KC as def blade.

The SC sound like what I am after but would need to cut it down to say standard butterfly size

I've posted a full review on Discord - feel free to join us: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

I'll post the same stuff on here in a few days

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)