Custom Blades Made in Taiwan
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Topic: Custom Blades Made in Taiwan
Posted By: hleett
Subject: Custom Blades Made in Taiwan
Date Posted: 01/14/2019 at 5:14pm
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Just curious to see if anyone heard of or have used this Taiwan blade maker Gerry Handcraft Workshop's blades. http://www.facebook.com/gerrytbs/" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/gerrytbs/ . I am tempting to order one.     |
Replies:
Posted By: pgpg
Date Posted: 01/14/2019 at 10:18pm
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Woah... Gorgeous blades! ------------- USATT: ~1810 Butterfly Defense Alpha ST - H3 Neo - Cloud&Fog OX |
Posted By: HarmonicTT
Date Posted: 01/14/2019 at 10:22pm
| Same but siam handmade is another good go to guy! I'm going to decide which one soon! |
Posted By: aeoliah
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 2:45am
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Very nicely made ! ------------- Member of the Single Ply Hinoki Club Viscaria Super ALC C-Pen Rasanter C48 |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 7:38am
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Is this taiwanese hinoki or japanese hinoki? Taiwanese hinoki is said to be harder and heavier than japanese one. The grains of these 1 ply blades are very tight, but I'm not sure if it is made with japanese wood. |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 7:48am
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With help of google translater, it seems that he uses Taiwanese hinoki, which is also known as yellow cypress. Nonetheless, they are beautiful blades.
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Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 8:25am
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The quality seems to be top of the line. Nice!! ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 12:27pm
In case you hadn't notice, the 2nd blade is a combo of 1 ply solid Taiwan yellow cypress FH and SZLC and limba on the BH. Here is the BH photo. |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 1:22pm
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I've just found this picture on his gallery. Seems to be a valuable information about hinoki grains!  (image is very small unfortunately) We read people commenting on internet TT foruns about grain quality and how it can affect gameplay, but it is very hard to see an article or any sort of document about it. Anyone who knows japanese, could please kindly translate this? I would be grateful. I really awant to know what is written there! |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 2:16pm
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Part of it is in Chinese. Top to bottom: Highest extreme grade (I think he call it SSS grade) High grade (SS) Normal one ply blade (last one has no writing)
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Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 2:22pm
I think this is his 12.5mm SSS grade blade |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 2:49pm
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Those are some tight grains!!!! ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/15/2019 at 4:42pm
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I asked the prices for 1 ply blade. He said he uses only taiwanese cypress wood (no japanese hinoki). Price is between NT6500~NT13500 (which is about 210~437 usd). Not cheap at all, but I think it is a little bit understandable for those hyper tight grains, and his work seems to be bery good too. Unfortunately it is out of reach for me...
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Posted By: Renol
Date Posted: 01/16/2019 at 11:23am
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Note that the price is not cheap. ------------- Blade: DHS Long 5 FH: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (Provincial) BH: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (Provincial) |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/16/2019 at 1:49pm
| I was hoping someone can give a review/feedback or something. I am interested in a 9mm cypress-szlc-koto composite blade. Guess I'll have to do more research b4 placing order. |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/16/2019 at 2:13pm
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I think it will play in a range similar to Japanese Hinoki since it is generally the same tree family. Kevin of American Hinoki makes blades using single ply wood and he uses some types of Cypress which plays really close to Japanese Hinoki. So I am guessing that these blades will also play great. Now whether that works for someone or not is another matter. I however will probably order one from this guy and one from Siam shop simply because they are gorgeous, one-ply and some kind of Hinoki. ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/16/2019 at 8:10pm
| Ranger-man, One of my concern is that the maker said that Taiwan yellow cypress has a higher oil/resin)/moisture content resulting in heavier weight and harder feel than Japanese hinoki and American cedar. So it's not easy to choose the right wood grade/thickness/composition combination. Can't wait to see how yours make out. |
Posted By: pingpungpeng
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 6:32am
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what about the price of the more mainstream shakehand blades? are they also expensive?
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Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 10:04am
Yes, there are many examples of mainstream blades which are just as expensive and some that cost even more than these blades. Both in single ply as well as in multiply. ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
pingpungpeng wrote:Posted By: pingpungpeng
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 11:00am
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Tough business then. Why buy this and not butterfly? I mean for normal blades, not for blades that are not sold anywhere else....
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Posted By: Tinykin
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 3:20pm
No good performance/VFM reason to buy any blade from these small artisans, Ross Leidy and BBC included. However, if you simply like what you see, buy it. As long as you are not struggling financially, enjoy yourself. ------------- Blade: Darker Speed90 Rubber Fh and Bh DHS Hurricane 3, 39/38deg Delusion is an asset |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 4:50pm
You make a good point, but it is all about preference. Some may prefer the look of these handmade blades. Some like the option of getting a handle of their choice or a combination of plies that they prefer. It is like why a Honda or a Toyota or a Tesla? I personally have a weakness for one-ply Jpen blades. I have one from American Hinoki as well. That is why I want one from here to my collection as well as one from Siam Handmade. I have lost all interest in multiply blades by the more mainstream brands. The only mainstream brand I will still buy is Darker, because of their Speed 90. So I guess it is all about personal preference. ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 4:51pm
You are right Hleet. The tighter grains also suggest that the wood is much more dense and therefore heavier and will probably have less flex, so it will play differently compared the usual Japanese Hinoki blades. But I am still very keen one owning one. ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 8:32pm
Here is a link to his pricing structure, the #s are in NT$, US$1=NT$31. Too bad its ion Chinese. Let me know if you need translation but can't guaranty 100% accuracy  . http://gerrytbs.pixnet.net/blog/post/132176615" rel="nofollow - http://gerrytbs.pixnet.net/blog/post/132176615 |
Posted By: liulin04
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 8:57pm
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i am actually in the process of ordering one from him right now. ------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35056&PN=14&title=feedback-liulin04" rel="nofollow - My Feedbacks |
Posted By: liulin04
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 9:15pm
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holy crap, never knew how rare taiwanese hinokis are: yellow compared to red. Crazy. Learning a lot from Gerry ------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35056&PN=14&title=feedback-liulin04" rel="nofollow - My Feedbacks |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 10:25pm
| liulin04: What the specs? |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/17/2019 at 11:15pm
Would you mind to share a bit more with us what Gerry said? This kind of information is very interesting! Also, what kind of details or customizations does he offer? You can decide everything (wood, shape, color, different handle, etc) or he has some different pre made patterns for you to choose? |
Posted By: Renol
Date Posted: 01/18/2019 at 10:29am
The composite shakehand blades can cost between NT$2500 to NT$4500 exclude shipping. E.g. A blade similar to DHS W968/Long 5 is around NT$4200/NT$4400 exclude shipping
------------- Blade: DHS Long 5 FH: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (Provincial) BH: DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (Provincial) |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/18/2019 at 8:26pm
In Gerry's price site http://gerrytbs.pixnet.net/blog/post/132176615-" rel="nofollow - http://gerrytbs.pixnet.net/blog/post/132176615- , you can customize to your heart's content...all kinds of cypress(pink section) and veneers(brown section), all kinds of carbon, thickness, head shape, weight, handle, handle laser engraving(your name). Endless combinations. I need to make up my mind soon.
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Posted By: fmarek
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 1:44am
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Guys, good find! Btw just a tip: if anyone really wants to have a feeling of yellow cypress, spend extra $40 (or so) on 1 ply yellow cypress hinoki from "i love ping pong" maker. It will give you some idea of feeling and its like x10 cheaper. If you dont like it then no need to commit to gerry's. $300. I personally got one made of what he calls "american hinoki". According to maker it meant to play similar to kiso. And to my surprise it does play similar to kiso. He also have simple scale comparing properties of various hinoki types (like speed and spin). Update: Actually I re-checked prices. Unlike blade made from american cypress $39, the Yellow Cypress is way more expensive - $95. Sorry for confusion. http://www.ping-pong.tw/index.php?cPath=24" rel="nofollow - http://www.ping-pong.tw/index.php?cPath=24
------------- 729 Green Goblin 5, FH: 729 Battle II National H39, BH: Palio HK1997 Gold. DHS Long 5, FH: 729 Battle II Gold H40, BH: Nittaku C1 |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 12:35pm
| I found this link a while ago too. I didn't think much of it because the blade doesn't look good at all. It has a small head, while only at 8.1mm it weighs 101.3g! Now that's heavy for a shake hand blade! And the grain...wide and uneven,hard to look at, scroll down and find out for yourself. Oh yea, workmanship is so..so. I'd rather spend my $85 on Kevin's Ahinoki or a BBC 1 ply cypress. |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 1:01pm
Do you feel Gerry's blades are so so workmanship or the pingpong link? ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: HarmonicTT
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 1:46pm
| Gerry's is top notch handmade blade maker but ping pong site is very confusing along with the blade names not spelled right. Also something about special selection blades. Rather shop at prott.vip if I wanted special selected or whatnot if that were the case. Unfortunately handmade blades shouldn't be cheap or less than almost any other competitive rival company. Unless you have a factory or an in house lab then prices won't be soo cheap. At the same time you do get the satisfaction of what you want in your blade and what materials to build off of. So honestly ping pong link could be a cheaper alternative for the newer players but the intermediate to higher rated usa rated players would be better off with butterfly or known blade makers like Ross leidy, BBC, soulspin, etc |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 2:13pm
| Ranger-man...what do you think? Of course I am talking about pingpong link so so workmanship (or the lack of). |
Posted By: liulin04
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 2:14pm
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I was about to place an order for the SSS grade 1-ply, according to what he sent to me. http://ibb.co/VWjbb6D" rel="nofollow - https://ibb.co/VWjbb6D . He went on to explain the rarity of the Taiwanese yellow hinoki compared to the Japanese and American hinoki, how it is harder, and takes many more hundred years of growth. I asked to evaluate the grade for BTY's RSM G-Max, he gave a S on his scale of S, SS, or SSS (his prized yellow hinoki). He further went on to explain that the grains of the wood is better if it's "Lightning" instead of vertical grains. And he said even someone from China offered him more than $10,000 just to buy one of his "Not for sale" ply, and he woudn't sell it because according to him, the yellow hinoki are prohibited from harvesting. I actually bought everything he said, but just prior to placing an order, I sought out another expert Jpen player on the forum for his advice, and instantly he said his prices are way too high. I understood that Gerry's prices are due to the customization, but if I were to customize a blade to my liking, it would have easily been more than $700. For that price, I could almost buy 4 Darker Jpens from TT11 already. So I decided to forgo buying from Gerry altogether... Definitely do think twice about the pricing as everything adds up. Handles couple hundred NT$, EMS shipping another 8-1k NT$, this stuff is not cheap. ------------- http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35056&PN=14&title=feedback-liulin04" rel="nofollow - My Feedbacks |
Posted By: shinshiro
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 3:05pm
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Wow, 700 usd is sky high price.... With that money you can buy almost 2 Darker HY blade Speed 90...
About the "lightning" grains, it is not the first time I hear about it. Double Day brand has an article on their website that says that the "> pattern" (that is how they call it, because grains are like this: >>>>) has higher hardness and elasticity, so we can infer that it has higher speed potential. |
Posted By: HarmonicTT
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 3:07pm
| There's other blade makers out there for better. Gerry is also international so shipping isn't cheap either. But yeah I wouldn't buy a blade for $700 unless it's a collector jpen Ryu seung min, kim taek soo, athena, etc brand new lol... |
Posted By: Ranger-man
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 3:41pm
That is what I thought but I wanted to be sure because I want to buy one of Gerry's blades. I also agree. I have seen the ping pong link before and nothing impressed me. They appear to be mass-produced blades and do not reflect the love and craftsmanship that handmade blades reflect. ------------- Darker Speed 90 10mm: Dawei IQUL Ahinoki Lutz Spruce Jpen: 729 SuperFX Member: 1-ply Hinoki Club Violin/Acoustic Clan The speed of a Rhino and the power of a Gazelle! |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/21/2019 at 5:03pm
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I like those SSS grade lightning Tyc. Such beautiful grain!!! Wouldn't mind owning one if I were a jPen player. Gerry tried to talk me out of buying a single ply Taiwan yellow cypress because it would be too heavy and hard for a shake hand blade. I then backed up and asked for a 8.5mm Tyc with ZLC/ALC-koto, still too heavy (95g) and stiff, not going to work...he said. Now what? I asked. How about a Viscaria clone with koto-alc-limba-kiri-limba-alc-koto? I asked. He said Viscaria uses ayous, not limba, everybody else is mistaken. He said he took the viscaria apart and examined it carefully and concluded that it is ayous and not lmba as most people believed and besides, ayous is lighter and softer than limba. So his viscaria blade composition is koto(fish scale)-ALCX-ayous-kiri-ayous-ALCX-koto(fish scale), SFEX glue and hollow walnut handle for NT$4500+PP fee and shipping cost. ALCX is his inmproved denser version of ALC, SFEX glue is is a new glue he uses for his pro customers. Nice idea, got to give it more thought... But I really want a 85g Tyc-alc-koto. I'll see if I can talk him to making a 85g 7/8mm Tyc combo blade. |
Posted By: hleett
Date Posted: 01/22/2019 at 3:20pm
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Found another custom blade maker: http://www.facebook.com/ARIEX.TAIWAN/" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/ARIEX.TAIWAN/ I know Ariex make 1 ply kiso hinoki blades but didn't know they let you pick and choose your own blank by grain, thickness and density : http://ariex-sport.com/order/phoenix-order/?fbclid=IwAR0FntXK0uC-rOYLCeckIViJkqOndFNYDQBuceir-9XfDMKbmxcrNUmS_RU" rel="nofollow - http://ariex-sport.com/order/phoenix-order/?fbclid=IwAR0FntXK0uC-rOYLCeckIViJkqOndFNYDQBuceir-9XfDMKbmxcrNUmS_RU . There are 300 blanks to choose from. And they give you a formula to calculate the final weight after you click on any stack of of woods. Right click for translations. Interesting...
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Posted By: Flobert
Date Posted: 05/24/2020 at 4:40am
| Are there some experiences with Gerry blades? Have some nice W968 or Inn ZLC blades. |
Posted By: DarkerMyLove
Date Posted: 05/24/2020 at 6:51am
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In January I got an innerforce super zlc. Limba outer. Took about 7 weeks to receive and he is upfront about lead times. The blade came in about 4g lighter than expected and he was willing to try and fix it but I decided to keep it. Extremely fast blade. Workmanship is very good. If you are interested in a really fast blade I think it is still in the buy sell section.
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