Darker 7P-2A Hinoki Blade

Does anyone have any experience with this blade? In particular I care about the 7P-2A, and not the other versions.

The manufacturer is apparently known to be of high quality; however very few people play these blades.
I am considering ordering one and would like to know any or all of the following prior:

-Speed (Off- or All+)
-Control (for short game and placement)
-Touch (stiffness and dwell)
-Gears, if any
-Weight of different people's blades
-Best place to order one from, since there is no USA distributor

Thanks in advance. See the picture attached.


Edited by smash_fan - 08/23/2014 at 6:54pm

Darker makes lovely, exceptionally high quality blades...  I use a 5P-2A, but several people at my club have 7P-2A's. 

Speed: Off- would be the low end in my opinion.  I'd say that, with most rubber, it would be Off to Off- range.

Control is fine for it's speed, but it isn't what I'd call super forgiving.  On the other hand, if you can handle high-speed blades, it should be fine.

I has a very soft feel and some flex (not super flexible by any means though).  It is a 7-ply all wood blade - if you hit the ball harder, it goes faster.  If you don't, it won't.  Don't expect it to do anything for you - or expect it to hold you back either.  I've only weighed three of them that I can recall, and all were in the 85 gram neighborhood.  Weirdly, (perhaps) they were a couple grams less than most of the 5P-2A's I've weighed.

I think there are one or two in stock at the OKCTT pro shop.  They were originally purchased form Iruiru.

bes

bes wrote: Darker makes lovely, exceptionally high quality blades...  I use a 5P-2A, but several people at my club have 7P-2A's.  Speed: Off- would be the low end in my opinion.  I'd say that, with most rubber, it would be Off to Off- range. Control is fine for it's speed, but it isn't what I'd call super forgiving.  On the other hand, if you can handle high-speed blades, it should be fine. I has a very soft feel and some flex (not super flexible by any means though).  It is a 7-ply all wood blade - if you hit the ball harder, it goes faster.  If you don't, it won't.  Don't expect it to do anything for you - or expect it to hold you back either.  I've only weighed three of them that I can recall, and all were in the 85 gram neighborhood.  Weirdly, (perhaps) they were a couple grams less than most of the 5P-2A's I've weighed. I think there are one or two in stock at the OKCTT pro shop.  They were originally purchased form Iruiru. bes

Very high on my wanted to buy list. Darker makes fantastic blades and I have had a number of them. Sadly not this one.

stiltt wrote: Just in case I thought I'd share this: I had the 7p-2a-7t (a faster, thicker version of the 7p-2a) for a year and it was fantastic. Only EJing made me switch to something else but I was playing really good with it.  7-ply hinoki, can't go wrong with a bit stiff and much soft! https://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/darker-hinoki-7p-2a-7t

Thanks! I might try Rozena first because rubbers are like new. Hopefully they fit (atm they are on a Korbel SK7). Then I will try some Tenergy, 05 and 05FX.