Borko 5-Ply Hinoki: My Dream Blade Has Arrived!

monkey401 : pictures maybe?

I can make comparisons as I've owned (briefly in most cases) nearly every blade made during the past few years, but keep in mind I play an unconventional game. I cannot do the big floor to ceiling salute kind of loops. At best I can brush and drive. I mostly angle+punch block and smash. I'm not the best to review because of these reasons, but I'll do my best to give you my skewed impressions.

The Borko 5-Ply Hinoki has the following playing qualities that I value in a blade:

1. GEARS: Yes, it has at least two. The blade is soft enough to play up close with nice touch and control, yet when you need the power  . . . BANG!! You put the ball away.

2. POWER+CONTROL: The power is certainly in the hinoki and this is amplified by the LARGE sweet spot BORKOs created by using his secret gluing method and supreme craftsmanship. The same may be said about the touch/feel and control; however, I'm sure some of this is due to the cork handle. The lightweight handle also creates a slight head-heaviness that aids in the players ability to generate bat speed.

3. LOOK: It simply has a timeless, classic look with lovely grains.

4. FEEL: It's very comfortable in my hand. You can't beat the cork handle. I'm sure it will look ugly soon, but that's okay with me!

5. WEIGHT:  It's unbelievably light, but SOLID unlike some of the flimsy lightweight blades out there. I had no problem blocking the hardest drives.

6. FLEX: Well, I'd rate it as medium. It has enough to help with spin and stiff enough to help with blocking game. Perhaps this blade has a bit more dwell than most Hinokis . . . certainly more than 1-plies. :-).

If I had to compare this blade to any I've used it would be the 7p-2a-7t, but with more control and a little less speed. It's certainly more solid than the Nittaku Septear and some of the other lightweight 5-ply Hinokis out there. I think it's a lot like the one-plies, but with the low gear added.

THIS BLADE "TALKS."

 . . . and I can hear it saying, "You can do it Tommy Zai!"

THANK YOU BORKO!!!!

few weeks ago i test my fren's 'hado' the 9 ply hinoki... very fast with gud feeling... how is ur borko 5 ply hinoki? we are waiting to here ur complete review :)

GenomicsKnight wrote: tommyzai wrote: I played with it last night and have one word to say . . . WOW!! I'll post up a proper review later or b� tomorrow. Please compare it to 7P-2A (I seem to remember you owned one before, right?).

I played with it last night and have one word to say . . .
WOW!!
I'll post up a proper review later or b� tomorrow.

Sponsorship? Now you're talkin'!!!

Congratulation.  You got your dreamed blade.

Congratulations for your new blade Tommy! I hope it will serve you well.

how much it cost,dude?

tommy,what are the other 3 wood veneers?outer 2 are hinokies,i saw.do you have an idea?it the blades is in high 70-s,so may bbe there is balsa wood?

That's a nice looking blade. I'm not normally a fan of those kinds of cork handles, but I have to say that looks pretty cool.

And you can't beat a 5-ply Hinoki for all around table tennis fun.

waitt is adham the ittf president? 0_O

I'll try my best to give a good review ASAP.
I just sealed it and will give it a day to harden before gluing up.

Tommy, nice blade ! Congratulations !
Please write a review, and please do me a favour by telling me what is the details you have given to Borko when you order the blade (your playing style, your requests etc).
I am thinking of a new blade, and after having your review, I might be tempted to buy one in penhold version.
Mizutani_Jun,
Borko can ship anywhere, so you can go ahead to buy one (or more ?)

Stan,
No worries . . . yes . . . cork!
It feels so good in the ol' hand.
I should mention I requested a slightly top heavy blade.
I find this helps me generate speed with my wrist shots.