XIOM V1 review.

The XIOM company's synopsis of this blade is as follows:

"Xiom V1 is a light, thin, and fast carbon blade for Chinese-style players. The surface is high quality walnut for direct and compact feel. This blade is designed for Chinese players who play close to table because it is fast, but easy to use and control. This blade is hard, direct, and gives good control over passive or active blocks.

Target Players:
- Close-to-table topspin players (such as Chinese players).
- Players who like fast attack with hard smash and block.
- Players who want different feel from Stradivarius or Timo Boll Spirit.
- Young players who need fast but light blade."

This is so accurate and concise that I'm tempted to say no more. However, we all know that I'm a verbose jackass so me keeping quiet isn't likely to happen.

I've been playing with this blade for a couple days now (approximately eight hours) with Neo H3 on my FH and Coppa Platin on my BH. Normally I play with all wood blades, but XIOM is a company for whom I have a soft spot so I figured if I'm going to once again try a composite blade then it might as well be the V1. So far I can say this: It is a weird blade... (But so far, in a good way.)

As the sales pitch says, it is light, fast, and controllable. In the last two days  I have a much improved win rate against my friend (who is a 1700-1800 player). Granted, the cause of this success is confounded by some recently improved technique. It could also simply be luck. Nonetheless, I am definitely intrigued.

When I first glued some rubbers on it, I was not thrilled. Carbon blades feel almost like toys to me. They don't have the "meat and potatoes" feel of all-wood blades, IMO. This was slightly exaggerated by the stiffer outer walnut ply. However, when hitting I immediately noticed some improved control. Also, the lightness of the blade facilitates a very quick recovery and my forehand rallies improved a lot.

This blade blocks nicely, as it's fairly stiff (also, very little vibration). Yet, it's also thin (5.4mm) so when I really open up and smack it there is enough flex to generate some dwell and very nice spin.

I've only been playing TT for a little more than 2.5 years, so my knowledge is often increasing and my perception and desires are therefore often fluctuating. I used to think I liked a lot of vibration. However, I've discerned that there are two types of vibration--head vibration and handle vibration. (Has anyone else observed this, or am I a lunatic? Perhaps both?) Anyway, I now know that I don't care for head vibration. I do like some handle vibration though. This blade does a great job in both regards; the head has little-to-no vibration, but the handle gives some very nice feedback. The "weirdness" I mentioned previously is precisely in the blade's feel. Tonight, I finally put my finger on what it is:

It feels like playing with a hard bat!

Don't get me wrong, it's able to generate plenty of spin, especially with Chinese rubber. But the combination of its semi-rigidity, its lightness, and its sharp feel reminded me of the first six months I played TT... with a hard bat.

And I must say... I like it!

It does lack some punch in the long game, but with the increased control, at my level I think it's a fair trade. (And after all, it is aimed at close-to-table fast attackers.) I don't know if the novelty of this blade's feel will eventually wear off, or if the V1 will become my replacement blade, eventually usurping my Ebenholz NCT V. It's too early to say now, although part of me hopes that it is the case. At $85, I think it's priced quite reasonably for its quality and it's easily competitive with a lot of carbon blades on the market. 

What I will "predict" for now is that, once a few more people try this blade out, it will be a blade that people either absolutely love or completely despise. I don't think there will be a middle ground. But I could be wrong.

Whatever the case, I'm having a lot of fun with it now. I'll try to update this review as my experience evolves.

jcdi wrote:   Very nice review, thank you very much ! As for the fluctuating perception, it is indeed a "weird" subject. After 30 years of variable EJing (sometimes peak crisis, sometimes very quiet...), I realised that the more you try blades the more your taste changes.

You're certainly welcome!

I'm hoping that the more I try, the more my tastes are refined, so that I can (eventually) settle on one setup and stop spending money. But I have a feeling that EJ-ing is like an addiction--the more I do it, the more I'm going to want to do it.

Ultimately, I think it's going to take a strong act of will to pull myself out, rather than arriving at some "ideal" setup. However, I feel like I've gained some knowledge and I do seem to be closing in on a somewhat "ideal" setup. Perhaps in another month or so...?

Which brings me back to the topic: I'm really digging this V1. I hope it lasts. I'd like to hear some other opinions on this blade...

Fast but light is usually powerless.

Another little bit, regarding the power of the blade:

Upon playing with it further, I am very happy with how quick, controllable, and maneuverable this blade is. Further from the table is not bad either. The good thing is that in order to get the power I want I'm forced to generate more forward momentum, which is good for me as it pertains to learning consistent and proper technique. If my stroke is "correct", even off the table this blade is satisfying--and it keeps me honest.

For those with great technique and who are using things like the Amultart or Mitzutani Jun, you won't be impressed by this blade. For those who are lower level (below 1800, let's say) then I don't think this blade will disappoint.

I recently purchased a TBS in order to compare these two. I'm excited by the V1 and I want to see how it measures up to the "legendary" TBS, since XIOM explicitly says the V1 is meant to be its competitor. It'll probably be a week or so before I receive the TBS and another week before I can get a good feel for it. I hope to update this post with a comparison between the two in a couple weeks.

Ranger-man wrote: The EJ in me says I need to own at least one Xiom blade. They have excellent workmanship and are really well made and good looking.

what have you done anton....

To all who are interested in XIOM products, I think rightfully so. Certainly in terms of craftsmanship, these blades are on par with any company out there.

In terms of playability, well of course a lot of that is subjective... and at least some of that subjectivity falls prey to marketing and "peer pressure".

Everyone says Butterfly is the best, so anything less than Butterfly must be inferior, right? Not necessarily, and I think XIOM is beginning to demonstrate that. That isn't to say that Butterfly doesn't produce some great products, because they do. They've been in the game for a while. Yet, I speculate that XIOM will inevitably become a primary competitor of Butterfly. I'm fairly certain that's where the company has set its sights and once it gets its legs underneath it a bit more then hopefully the competition will work to deflate some of Butterfly's inflated prices. 

P.S. One more bit on the V1: It probably can be easily inferred by both the composition of the blade and from my review, but it should be noted that the V1 has a very hard and sharp feel to it. For those who like such a feel, then you will certainly enjoy this blade. For those who prefer a softer feel, you will want to maintain a wide berth.

Anton Chigurh wrote:   I speculate that XIOM will inevitably become a primary competitor of Butterfly. I'm fairly certain that's where the company has set its sights and once it gets its legs underneath it a bit more then hopefully the competition will work to deflate some of Butterfly's inflated prices.

Xiom products, blades especially are not any cheaper than Butterfly blades.  In some instances, Xiom blades are more expensive.

Yes...obviously there are exceptions.....but Xiom's line of blades is about 10% the size of Butterfly's offerings.

Anton Chigurh wrote: Rich215 wrote: Yes...obviously there are exceptions.....but Xiom's line of blades is about 10% the size of Butterfly's offerings. Absolutely, but I think we could both agree that's a function of time in the market. That's why I said "once XIOM gets its legs underneath it", or something like that. They certainly need more variety (without skimping on the quality). But in terms of quality (and prices), I think XIOM is very competitive with Butterfly.

Yes I would definitely agree with you on quality of Xiom products being on par.  


OH...also....I lost count on how many manufactures have a blade called "V1" now....lol   seems like 6-8 at least.

Xiom blades are great.  No doubt about it.  

walleyeguy7 wrote: if youve found a blade that you personally enjoy, does not underperform in some key way, and is not too fast for you, why not stick with it?

You are underestimating the power of the EJ virus... It thrives on novelty... and money.

Is this a new blade, I have never seen it before, I actually thought you were confusing it with the Stiga V1.

Anton Chigurh wrote: I recently purchased a TBS in order to compare these two. I'm excited by the V1 and I want to see how it measures up to the "legendary" TBS, since XIOM explicitly says the V1 is meant to be its competitor.

Anton, I hope you ordered a TBS that is close to its median weight, did you?
Otherwise you might get something that plays nothing like a real TBS.

A few more words about this blade, and to address the two recent comments:

7plywood: Although I said "purchased" in the past tense, it turned out that the site from which I purchased it was out of stock... as was every site I could find. So I ended up buying a Visacaria, as I've heard good things about it. It turns out that the V1 and the Viscaria are both the same thickness and have the same amount of plies (although the wood is different). Hopefully it's still a valid comparison. The mean weight of the Viscaria is 90g, I think, and mine weighs 89g. Close enough.

Bumpernets: XIOM uses their own carbon, called "Energy Carbon". It's supposed to better preserve the "woody" feel than other carbons without being a "soft carbon". I don't think I have a refined enough feel to really notice though. Feels fine to me, but I can't say it's better or worse than others. The new Zetro Quad uses carbon and zylon.

In general, I really like this blade. I have much improved control and I'm liking the muffled vibration of the carbon. I haven't put this blade aside since I got it. However, the more I play with it the more I realize that, although it's a great blade, it won't be for everyone. It is very, very light. My normal setups (using Neo H3 and Coppa Platin) weigh around 185g. This same rubber setup on the V1 weighs 167g. I like the weight for a quicker stroke recovery and I find the blade to be plenty fast. But for those who don't care for light blades, this ain't the one for you.

I play almost the same weight set up. Iolite neo w/ neo h3 and hexer weighs 165.