Palatinus OSP Expert ALL+ Review

I have Virtuoso OFF-. Seems a bit too fast and handle is too big. Can I try this one as well? Where is the list? What do I need to do?

mmerkel wrote: We skipped arg0 because he said he is busy until September. So I would think that after Rich it would go as requested...Jay then assiduous and then probably to arg0.

OK.  So I PMed Rich with my address info. I look forward to slapping some different hardbat rubbers on it.

hardbat rubbers? Why would you rough up this beautiful blade?

bluebucket wrote: I might try a virtuoso myself one day but I would try the large head version because the whip and change up in speed when I want it is a good thing for me. Icontek is your virtuoso the medium head? or large head?

I own two Virtuoso blades. One with S-size (157mm), one L-size (159mm). The difference in flex is minimal, but there is a difference. I like the L-size a tad more.

bluebucket wrote: Icontek is your virtuoso the medium head? or large head?

Afaik he has the original size, so it is large head.

Correct. I have the original headsize; I haven't played with any other Virtuoso's, so I can't comment on how they play.

But the Virtuoso was enough to end my EJ'ing; it even stopped me buying different rubbers. I estimate that buying the Virtuoso saved me at least $500 in the past year.

The blade:
1 easy enough to use (a little bit more challenging than an allround blade)
2 feels great with the rubbers I picked (on the majority of shots i use)
3 is quality equipment that will last a solid 10 years (unless I start looping the table edge)
4 gives confidence that I will never "outgrow" it


And even with H3NP 38/2.15 and Acuda S3/2.0mm, (two medium heavy rubbers) the balance is still pretty good. Maybe a a little head heavy, but not nearly as pronounced as some of my previous setups (H3 2.1 and Mendo 2.0 on the Avalox BT550 for example).

However, I am wishing that H3NP was available in 38/2.0, and that I could find Acuda S3 1.8mm for less than $50 shipped. TTNPP's $33/2.0mm is hard to beat.

Another review or comments:

After 3 good sessions with the Expert blade...I am starting to really like this thing!  Easily it allows me to play better than I ever have with any other setup by far.....I mean FAR!   I have ordered a Virtuoso with a slightly custom 103mm AN handle and will probably get it in another couple weeks.  I may just end up also ordering a Expert as well.  I really have to hand it to the OSP crew.....they make one incredible product for performance!!!   Can't wait to try the Virtuoso now. 

Rich215 wrote:   I have ordered a Virtuoso with a slightly custom 103mm AN handle and will probably get it in another couple weeks.

Sorry....forgot to put that there   I ordered the L one. 


Edited by Rich215 - 08/15/2011 at 11:56am

TSuBaSa wrote:   Maybe they should try a bit thicker but flexy blade. Same top and secondary ply but softer and thicker inner plies.  something like  clipper but crisper.

I will have to order one if that happens!

Pretty funny because I'm still interested in the Virtuoso... :) Given what I think is a finite chance to get blades of this standard I'm sure I'll order more of them and probably several of each in the coming months. The Expert is (and it seems the Virtuoso is similar) so far ahead of any other blade I've used it would be a monumental mistake not do that

barnie wrote: From my experience Expert and Virtuoso are totally different. If I should compare with well known blades Expert to Virtuoso is like Stiga OC to Korbel. Expert is medium hard, flexy, speed is right all+. Virtuoso  is much stiffer than Expert, medium soft, speed more OFF than OFF-.

I'm confused. I have the original L size Virtuoso, and it seems to have some flex. I don't find it anywhere near OFF speed. For reference, the only OFF blades I've owned recently are a 1990's Clipper (slower than modern clippers, thinner, more flexy) and an Avalox Ma Wenge Carbon.

What size Virtuoso do you have?

When I tested the Expert, I did a side by side with my Virtuoso and my thin 1990's Clipper, here's what I saw:

Speed on Blocks
90s Clipper > Ma Wenge > Virtuoso > Expert

Speed on Smashes
90s Clipper > Ma Wenge > Virtuoso = Expert (Virtuoso easier to control placement)

Speed on Loopkills (drives)
Ma Wenge > 90s Clipper > Expert = Virtuoso (Expert had more spin)

Speed on over the table pushing
90s Clipper > Ma Wenge > Virtuoso = Expert

Speed on brushloops
90s Clipper > Ma Wenge > Virtuoso = Expert

I think Virtuoso is correctly labelled as OFF-, compared to many modern blades. Perhaps it's performance with different rubbers brings out different characteristics?

For example, on the Virtuoso, Acuda S3 is slow at many contact speeds, but is a a very fast rubber on the much stiffer Clipper.

I have both of them in 157 x 150.

I'd agree that's no longer an Expert, those extra couple mm of blade and rubber at full swing would add considerable swing weight and flex. It would change the feeling of the blade a lot

I only modified my handle. Told them to make it wider. Now I wana hit my head against a brick wall.

Anyone wana trade? I have a straight Sq, with 30mm wide instead of 28mm. Everything else the same. Paper says 89 gr.

assiduous, that's all talking about head size not the handle, 2mm on the handle wont do anything 

So I've tested the Expert some hours and here my impressions.

Data according to the "birth certificate" which is supplied to each blade:
Thickness: 5.4mm
Weight: 88.9g
Handle: ELcon

The Expert has reminded me immediately of the P500. Those who have played with it may have a good impression of the Expert. I think it was in all aspects better than the P500.

• Vibrations can be felt clearly. But not uncomfortable, just as short to get a clear ball feddback.
  
• Hard, clear and sharp ball feeling. Dark Limba outerply seems much harder than usual limba.
• Fairly bouncy. Rebound effect is rather linear.
• The Expert is rated as head-balanced, according to OSP. I found it was pretty balanced and minimal head-heavy, despite the slightly larger head size (with 2x Moon medium 2.1). The WSC was certainly much more head-heavy. Maybe the thicker Elcon handle gives a little more balance to the blade.
• Ball throw is imho relatively high. I appreciate it a little higher than the Virtuoso, which I would class medium high. But I'm not an expert to determine this fine tuned
• Ball feel and control in the short game is excellent. There it plays like an All+ blade.
• Blocks, counterattacks and shots worked for such a bouncy blade very well. But it was not as precise as the stiffer Virtuoso.
• Topspin is the top discipline of the Expert. The balls has more spin and a higher trajectory than with the Virtuoso.
• Swinging harder the catapult effect is noticeable. Expert is clearly faster than a classic All + (my reference: Stiga AE). The speed is almost identical imho with the Virtuoso.
• Craftmanship is, as always by Palatinus, first class.

Conclusion: Loopers who wants a springy offensive blade with great feeling and sharp contact touch will like the Expert.

But for me the Virtuoso remains the blade of my choice and I'll stick with it. I like it's dull, somewhat hollow feeling and the more stiffness and less bounciness compared to Expert. From the first hits I liked the Virtuoso and knew: this is my blade.