Using what the pros don't?

We must be honest with ourselves. If we are uneasy when playing, if our swings are not relaxed, if we are in doubt everytime we hit the ball then we should say adios to our fast blade and/or rubbers.   

exactly why my 1ply hinoki, schlager carbon and primorac carbon r sitting on my shelves

yea i went now from my boll tricarbon(off+),to korbel magichand(off),to persson powerplay(off-) and my game improved,lol

What not to use? Tenergy 05 would be a sure bet for anyone under 2000 USATT. There are too many people sitting at 1000-1500 USATT using Tenergy. They should never have started speed gluing and never need a speed-glue substitute like the Tenergy.

This debate will go on until the end of time, but I think you should use what you want, what you like, what you feel comfortable with.

It doesn't take a 2000 rating to know you're comfortable with a certain setup even if it has the reputation of being fast. I use Tenergy on my FH and it feels good. My mistakes come from bad footwork or lack of concentration, because when I'm in the right position I can hit very good shots with Tenergy. On those shots when I'm out of position, if I had a slower rubber, sure I might get a few more to land on the table, but that's not helping my footwork.

I'm aware of what is too fast for me because I'm using a very slow rubber on my bh.

So its simple. If it feels too fast, don't use it. But its up to you.

It all depends on each individual's playing style. I have used carbon blade, and found that it is too fast for me. I have moved on to a combination blade (Dr Neubauer Combination Effect), and the blade has stuck with me for several months now.

ppgear wrote: The problem is there's not really such a thing as "superior" equipment. Every piece of equipment has its own characteristics of speed, spin, control, tackiness, dwell time, etc. The goal is to find what fits your style to help you play your best, and more often than not people are picking speed at the cost of control. Fast equipment prevents you from developing your own power, and people are starting out with something really fast like Tenergy way too early, before they've even developed their own power from their stroke. I see players in lower divisions that in the 1000-1500 USATT level using Tenergy and not able to even use full strokes because even their abbreviated strokes produce enough speed. This is damaging because they feel they have enough speed and won't work to develop their stroke as much. You need to learn to develop power from your stroke before slapping on a Tenergy. In an overall game control is so important especially with finesse strokes like pushes and flips; to develop these strokes so you can execute them with confidence requires using controllable equipment at the start.

This is a perfect response. I myself started out with a monster combo Tibhar Samsonov Carbon +Topedo Soft on both sides 2.0. I loved the blade since it was lighting fast and i could counter many slow spin shots. The problem is - no control and lack of the game. I did not develop any other part of the game.....

I got a coach and then began downgrading my equipment slowly finally ending up with a basic Yasaka Mark V blade and rubber combo. Now that I've reached 1600 level, this is where I begin noticing the lack of power on certain strokes and beginning to look for alternatives that give pace.

I am still experimenting, although the control is never compromised. Adjustments to different sheets are easy once you have a good partner ( in my case the coach ) to hit with to feel all the shots - shots against underspin, topspin, no spin, etc. But I guess this is a part of the "graduation to the next level".

I would however, like to find out what the pros would recommend to use. By pros i mean the players themselves and not their sponsors. Their true and honest opinions about equipment they've used and why they chose to pick one type versus another type of blade, rubber, etc. I think this sport is certianly missing this honesty and is filled with great sounding gimmicks of advertisements.

The ultimate however, is your own comfort. I've had my blade tried by many different people. Some like it, some dont. Its a matter of preference. The only common concepts are around the differences in rubber hardness, stiffness of the blade, and how a specific combination complements the player's style. If it does not suit the style, look for another combo.

Exactly.
That's why asking "what do the pros use?" is an irrelevant question until you become a pro yourself. They really need fast equipment to finish points. Their tens of thousands of hours of coached practice has given them the control and finesse they need. At a high level you need some raw power to end the point, especially after the glue ban.

Stop asking what the pros use, and start asking what's suitable for you at this time given your skills and deficiencies. For most people it will be control that you need, not power.

Probably at least 70% of people on this forum should be using ALL to OFF- equipment.

I tried everything from $$ OFF+ composites to El Cheapo ALL+ and found a perfect fit for my game with a slow Primorac OFF- (an old one -15 years - from Japan, not the Chinese one -- I've had both) and Nittaku Refoma. With this setup I do not think about my equipment during sets... I never shake my head and look at my setup after I've lost a point. I don't wipe my rubber and think there is something wrong. I am at one with this "OFF-"setup...which is at best an ALL+ in reality. As long as it doesn't break, I have found Holy Grail.

I agree 100% with topic. Maybe I had more money than sense! Now its time to sell the extra stuff and maybe have Borko make a replica of this antique!

And you know, not that 53 dollars is a fortune, but it's a shame that there's a percentage of players spending 53 dollars for a single rubber they're not ready for, when they could have a great playing setup for 35-50 dollars (utilizing Dawei/Galaxy/729/LKT/Gambler* products) which would be much better for their game.

Cactus - how much do you want for that BT550 with Sterco 2.0mm? PM me?