|
|
Why is the Maze blade so unpopular, |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | ||||
SmackDAT
Platinum Member Joined: 01/01/2012 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 2231 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 02/25/2012 at 4:52pm |
|||
I think this might be due to the outer ply, and why it might not suit some rubbers. I'm just wondering why it's so unpopular, from the pros to the players in my club. Most of the top 10 pros are using blades with Koto outer plies, except for Ma Lin, correct me if I'm wrong. Can anyone explain why the Maze blade has been forgotten over the similar blade Timo Boll Spirit?
__ Found this on a forum. "maze is an excellent blade, bad not suitable for all kinds of rubbers including chinese rubbers. imho best setup for maze blade is tenergy 05. whereas with Timo Boll Spirit, i found that it plays well with DHS Hurricane 3 Neo and Skyline 3 Neo rubbers." Reply:"maybe its a matter of preference, i also play with MMaze but i like it with chinese rubbers, i use H3 neo on FH and T05 on my BH." What do you think? Edited by SmackDAT - 02/25/2012 at 5:00pm |
||||
Sponsored Links | ||||
ejmaster
Platinum Member Joined: 08/09/2009 Location: madrid Status: Offline Points: 2609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
i quite agree that the MMaze plays very well with t05 in FH. imo this is one of my preferences about playing with the MM. the other is the short game.
on the other side i like the bh flick more with either viscaria or tbs. about chinese like rubbers i prefer the viscaria with them. I play with gpses. But i think either one MM, tbs, viscaria is also playable. just that imo is true that the MM feels particularly well with t05. i think the selection factor plays also a role. in MM i like the stiffer ones and in tbs the powerful and not so thin ones. if getting one out of this parameters everything changes.
|
||||
EJ Club.
MM T05(fh)/Srvfx(bh); InfVps,LSW,Viscaria,RwV,TBAlc,PG7,yextsc,yeo. EJmaster wood. |
||||
ejmaster
Platinum Member Joined: 08/09/2009 Location: madrid Status: Offline Points: 2609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
this is one of my favourite matches ever,
here you have chen qi playing with the MM and Ma Long with the tbs. either one is playing great. if going to analize the subtle differences i would point out the same. the bh with the tbs helps less dynamics and looks with better power and the fh and bh with the MM look with a little more control feeling.
Edited by ejmaster - 02/25/2012 at 5:59pm |
||||
EJ Club.
MM T05(fh)/Srvfx(bh); InfVps,LSW,Viscaria,RwV,TBAlc,PG7,yextsc,yeo. EJmaster wood. |
||||
dingyibvs
Gold Member Joined: 05/09/2011 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 1401 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Because Maze isn't the star that Timo is.
|
||||
Blade: Hurricane Long 5 (968) FL
FH: D09C max BH: D09C max |
||||
riker71
Gold Member Joined: 10/24/2006 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1024 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Probably all other blades are unpopular compared to the Boll series. According to ttdb Maze ALC is being used by more players than Korbel, Primorac. Overall ratings are pretty high...blade average rating is 9.3/10 from 31 reviews there.. One of our clubs best players is using Maze ALC With 05 FX both wings.
Edited by riker71 - 02/26/2012 at 2:34am |
||||
Stratus Powerwood
FH T05 BH T25 |
||||
mikepong
Gold Member Joined: 03/09/2011 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 1202 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
i tried asking other club members why they prefer TBS and ALC over MMaze, many of them said that MMaze has too much unnecessary control and not enough power, id say it has enough power and excellent control, but then again those club members are much higher rated players than me and maybe because timo boll is more popular than MMaze thats why TB series blades are popular butterfly products, but i play with MMaze blade for over a year now and i plan to stick with it BTW i also own a TBS but i like the softer more controlled feel of mmaze
|
||||
Viscaria
FH: Tenergy 05 black BH: Tenergy 05 red |
||||
frogger
Premier Member Joined: 08/03/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3062 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
The Maze may be unpopular with pro's but I think it is a popular blade for many club and tournament players here in the US. For it being a BTY blade the FL handle feels excedingly good. As for lacking power....I scratch my head wondering on that one.
|
||||
Wood Paddle
Red side Black side. |
||||
Dorje
Member Joined: 04/21/2009 Location: Slovenia Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I think it's because Michael Maze blade has limba surface i.e. outer layers. Limba outer blades are generaly suitable for players who prefers to hold the ball bit longer in his own grip, and prefers to generate power shots by themself. Not many of top players I can think of play with limba surface blades. If my memory serves me well it's: Jun Mizutani, Vladimir Samsonov, Petr Korbel (correct me if I am wrong or know some top players who play with limba outer blade). Michael Maze interestingly switched to Timo Boll Spirit blade wich has harder and more dense koto outer layer. I could not believe how different it felt
compared to koto outer layered Timo Boll Spirit blade. I think that Michael Maze
blade has longer dwell time and a bit softer feeling. I found TBS blade better
at blocking and looping and Maze blade better for flipping and smashing. |
||||
Timo Boll Spirit An
Fh: Joola Rhyzm Max red Bh: Tibhar Aurus Max black |
||||
jonyer1980
Gold Member Joined: 07/30/2008 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 1600 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I have been thinking about upgrading from Acoustic to Viscaria however, I´m just using GRIPS Europe FH and Tinarc on BH, but sometimes it lacks a bit of power from mid distance and need more arm power. Do you think MM will fit on my rubbers? I have tried both TBS and Viscaria but honestly, felt too head heavy with these rubbers. What do you think about it? |
||||
Rosewood V FL
Nittaku Fastarc G1-FH Stiga DNA Pro-S MAX BH Avoid any Butterfly stuff... at abusive prices. Raw power without control means nothing |
||||
ejmaster
Platinum Member Joined: 08/09/2009 Location: madrid Status: Offline Points: 2609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
sure the MM is going to fit those rubbers. probably as good or even better than viscaria. viscaria feels a little bit harder than MM. i also made the transistion from acoustic to MM some time ago. and i like lot more the MM. MM also has the better handles so the balance is going to be the best one within the alc blades. It usually feels lighter with same weight same power. i think it is a good move.
|
||||
EJ Club.
MM T05(fh)/Srvfx(bh); InfVps,LSW,Viscaria,RwV,TBAlc,PG7,yextsc,yeo. EJmaster wood. |
||||
kolevtt
Platinum Member Joined: 06/13/2011 Location: European Union Status: Offline Points: 2577 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
One friend of mine told me in Russia MMaze is the most popular blade...
I can tell you also I know many players here to play with it, also all over the world. I will use the moment to ask if somebody has ST MMaze just to make me offer for trade. Thanks in advance. |
||||
riker71
Gold Member Joined: 10/24/2006 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1024 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I have to admit that even though I dont usually go for carbon blades, from the reviews I have read, that for some time now the Maze has been at the top of my list as the blade I want to go to next. I am waiting for Presports to get stock as that is the best price I found. This thread has been most informative.
Edited by riker71 - 02/26/2012 at 7:55pm |
||||
Stratus Powerwood
FH T05 BH T25 |
||||
doraemon
Gold Member Joined: 05/14/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 1738 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I used to have TBS and MM, and I definitely like MM much more than TBS. It feels like using a Korbel but with more reserved power, waiting to be unleashed.
TBS is just so so, and its handle (FL) does not fit my hand well. On the other hand, MM has a really nice FL handle. It just fits right. |
||||
Baal
Forum Moderator Joined: 01/21/2010 Location: unknown Status: Offline Points: 14336 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
The only thing I can think of is weight distribution. Also, really good players who play with blades that slow tend to like a bit more vibration.
|
||||
vvu.tee
Super Member Joined: 03/31/2010 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 236 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
btw, how did you came to the conclusion it was not popular!?
TBS got more marketing wind in its back and probably sells better , but MMaze is not far behind in popularity among pros and casual players alike.. I have both (MMaze and TBS), and although in certain situation both blades can accommodate the same strategies MMaze is the closest to the fast all-wood blades in terms of feel. Someone said Korbel with AC, yep, something like that... I played with Joola Viva for a long time before switching to MMaze, and IMHO, if you can put an AC layer in the Viva, it will play sth like my MMazes (I have 3 at the moment). I see lots of potential MMaze testers, so here is an advice, I have noticed that blades head dimensions and thickness rarely vary significantly, so weight variations usually come from the handle. Heavier MMazes in general have a thicker handle, which shifts some wight to the hand. If you are looking to try heavy rubbers, you may want to get a heavier MMaze to start with for a more balanced racket. I like mine in the 89-92 grams range. To me MMaze is a good compromize in therms of power, feel and control. It is a not a soft-blade though. My experience is that if you are looking for a softer-feel in an AC blade, older Viscarias are the way to go. Somehow they have a softer feel. Newer Viscarias tend to be lighter and harder (more akin to TBS). Well, unfortunately the sample of BTY ALC blades I've tested is not very large. I have the following at the moment: 3 MMazes FL - 2 new logo and 1 old logo 1 TBS FL - old logo 2 Viscarias FL - 1 old logo and 1 new logo 1 ZJK FL 1 TB ALC ST I've also owned the following in the past 5 years 2 other MMazes (one FL and one ST) 2 other TBSs (one FL and one ST) and 1 more Viscaria FL. 2 TB ALC FLs So its not like I've tested 20 blades of each TBS and MMaze, so my observations are probably very biased. BTW, I did not like the ST version o f the MMaze at all, has a very different balance, that I dislike being an user of a relatively heavy rubbers. NB. Not gonna discus KLHS and Innceforce ALC, Viscaria Light and Iolite Neo - cause they are REALLY different form the bunch above.
Edited by vvu.tee - 02/26/2012 at 9:25pm |
||||
(1) BTY T64 - BTY M.MAZE - BTY T05
(2) BTY T64 - BTY M.MAZE - DHS H3 Neo Provincial |
||||
sa01
Gold Member Joined: 05/28/2011 Status: Offline Points: 1189 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
unnecessary control
I like how that sounds
|
||||
MM
Member Joined: 04/25/2012 Status: Offline Points: 2 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
hi ,
from your post it seems u have tried almost 5 MM blades so i think u are the best to answer my query . i play with a MM blade with donic sonex on both FH and BH and i find my blade quite head heavy even after putting a grip . in fact there are 3 other players in my academy who also play with MM but my blade feels heavier compared to all of them .is it normal for maze blades to have such weight distn ? is it a good thing or a bad thing ? do i need to use a diff rubber ?
|
||||
arg0
Platinum Member Joined: 07/22/2009 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 2023 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
...and the reason for that is that Maze plays with a bad blade, while Timo plays with a great blade! LOL! |
||||
Thomasson
Gold Member Joined: 03/30/2010 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1008 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Mizutani Jun blade feels like a faster Acoustic while losing some of its feel. I changed to it yesterday without problems. Will be training with it the next few days to be sure. Edited by Thomasson - 04/25/2012 at 7:37am |
||||
Blade: TB ALC
FH: Tenergy05 2.1 BH: Tenergy64 1.7 |
||||
jonyer1980
Gold Member Joined: 07/30/2008 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 1600 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Thanks but i don´t fancy to lose any feeling. I haven´t found any fibre-based blade than cant lose control. Maybe MM is the easiest to tame, but still feels bouncier than my allwood. Acoustic is fine, even a bit fast with ESN rubbers for. |
||||
Rosewood V FL
Nittaku Fastarc G1-FH Stiga DNA Pro-S MAX BH Avoid any Butterfly stuff... at abusive prices. Raw power without control means nothing |
||||
Thomasson
Gold Member Joined: 03/30/2010 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1008 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Why would u want to swap blades then? There is no fibre-based blade with the feeling of the acoustic, if you have the feel of the acoustic you can play with the MJ since it will respond the same. |
||||
Blade: TB ALC
FH: Tenergy05 2.1 BH: Tenergy64 1.7 |
||||
MM
Member Joined: 04/25/2012 Status: Offline Points: 2 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
hi vvu.tee , from your post it seems u have tried almost 5 MM blades so i think u are the best to answer my query . i play with a MM blade with donic sonex on both FH and BH and i find my blade quite head heavy even after putting a grip . in fact there are 3 other players in my academy who also play with MM but my blade feels heavier compared to all of them .is it normal for maze blades to have such weight distn ? is it a good thing or a bad thing ? do i need to use a diff rubber ? |
||||
sa01
Gold Member Joined: 05/28/2011 Status: Offline Points: 1189 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
tbs is very far from an all wood feel.
I remember when I switched to it, it felt like playing with a piece of iron. I had been playing for some time with a clipper cr at the time.... as for maze I haven't tried it but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have much of an all wood feel. any blade with a thin top layer and then something that includes carbon will feel pretty stiff. for all wood feel I'd think of something like waldner senso carbon or the innerforce series.
Edited by sa01 - 04/25/2012 at 9:06pm |
||||
ejmaster
Platinum Member Joined: 08/09/2009 Location: madrid Status: Offline Points: 2609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
This is the problem MM. Have to buy several MM to find the good one.
Another thing to consider is the handle. I play with FL. Though the ST is a thick and good one I do not like the balance with the ST. I agree here with vvu. I prefer more handle balance. For me the FL makes the blade feel better. I had several MM and I liked one quite better than the rest.
Edited by ejmaster - 04/25/2012 at 9:51pm |
||||
EJ Club.
MM T05(fh)/Srvfx(bh); InfVps,LSW,Viscaria,RwV,TBAlc,PG7,yextsc,yeo. EJmaster wood. |
||||
mikepong
Gold Member Joined: 03/09/2011 Location: Philippines Status: Offline Points: 1202 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
|
||||
Viscaria
FH: Tenergy 05 black BH: Tenergy 05 red |
||||
vvu.tee
Super Member Joined: 03/31/2010 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 236 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
with heavy rubbers every blade can become headheavy
the FL version (2 of them) that I am using actively at the moment have a relatively good balance (still headheavy, but not as much as the ST and lighter blades.) all in all, MMaze along with the TBS have a neutral to head-light balance (some viscarias too, esp. if weight is over 92 grams ) and can handle heavy rubbers well. these are my impressions. for example and to give some perspective, I have a 76 grams tsp balsa 6.5, I've tried it with the same type of rubbers I am using on the MMaze. The combo comes out 13-17 grams lighter, but it feels heavier in the hand. although it has good control and power, it does not have a better touch or a better kick. (I am aware that if I play with it for 3 months with it I will probably get accustomed to it, so take my opinion with a grain of salt). PS. ...and yes, I did try several before finding the MMazes I like (I call this the Picky Bachelor/Spinster strategy); however, there is an alternative and less expensive strategy (the Indian Marriage Strategy), do your research, buy a blade and then just bite the bullet and play with the one you've bought, you will get used to it and everything will fall in place in due time, and the love between you and your blade will grow. besides, headheavy blades have their advantages as well (every combo has strengths and weaknesses, just get to know them them and use them to your advantage). in my case, I was playing for far too long with a different blade (balance) and could not allow to a lengthy transition, so I went the more expensive route to get a blade to simulate as well as possible to my previous setup. this is not necessarily the best way to pick a blade. as with people, it is better to get to know them, appreciate them for what they are and accept them, rather than trying to find the perfect match or mold the people you are with into something you like
Edited by vvu.tee - 04/27/2012 at 3:27am |
||||
(1) BTY T64 - BTY M.MAZE - BTY T05
(2) BTY T64 - BTY M.MAZE - DHS H3 Neo Provincial |
||||
Thomasson
Gold Member Joined: 03/30/2010 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1008 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
MM his old blade (the maze) was given away in a contest when he switched to TBS, I know the player that got it and will try to make some pictures of it to see if its the same as the one you guys have :)
|
||||
Blade: TB ALC
FH: Tenergy05 2.1 BH: Tenergy64 1.7 |
||||
ttEDGE - William
Super Member Joined: 02/24/2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 179 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
I think Dorje is pretty spot-on above. After a quick whip-around at the Werner Schlager Academy - the majority of players are using Timo blades (mostly split between TBS and ALC). A couple are using MM.
The players who try to play a more allround game (mixing blocking, control, counterspin, attacks) are more likely to go for something faster like a Timo blade as it allows the best of both worlds. They get some weight / rebound behind the shots where they're using the speed/spin of the opponent's shot whilst still being able to generate good power themselves. Players who want to generate their own pace often go for something slower like a MM. I would generally say players with more physical games go for slower as they expect to be late to the ball often and need the extra lift and dip a slower blade will encourage. Both are fine blades it must be said. |
||||
right2niru
Silver Member Joined: 11/10/2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 820 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
(the Indian Marriage Strategy) : Like the analogy ..
|
||||
ZJK SZLC |5Q+
|
||||
riker71
Gold Member Joined: 10/24/2006 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1024 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||
Top 5, I have one as well but not yet using as have not decided on rubbers yet http://www.tabletennisdb.com/database/popular-blade.html Edited by riker71 - 04/27/2012 at 2:41pm |
||||
Stratus Powerwood
FH T05 BH T25 |
||||
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Forum Home | Go to the Forums | Forum Help | Disclaimer
MyTableTennis.NET is the trading name of Alex Table Tennis Ltd. |