Handcrafted Blades by Ross Leidy

Ross doesn't need a mark, his blades are beautiful enough to distinguish from the rest.

Is arylate-carbon blade available?

Ross Leidy wrote: fatt wrote: Reading your posts I was wondering if you had kiri cores (could not read about it on your website) and I got my answer   I only recently found a source for kiri, and I still need to update the website.   fatt wrote: I used to play the Mizutani Jun (one of the best offensive looping fast blades ever made) before I banned Butterfly from my tt life; this blade is close to it, the dyed red koto replacing the ZL carbon in the MJ composition (limba-zl carbon-limba-kiri-limba-zl carbon-limba). I might be next in line for a matching pair of those. Could a teak or paduk veneer do the same job than koto in the above blade composition?   Only Speedy has played this blade, so he might be able to compare it to the Mizutani Jun.  It does have a handle modeled directly from the ST Mizutani.  Speedy and I hashed out the composition over numerous emails, and in the end the blade didn't have quite the speed he was after.  An adjustment to the koto layer (switching it out for something harder) should bump it up a notch.  I currently do not have padauk veneer, but it is a possibility if it's a requirement.  Contact me offline if you'd like me to add you to the waiting list.

Like Ross mentioned, we had numerous emails going back and forth before we agree on a composition.  Before I compare to Mizutani, I have to say this first.  The reason I didn't get the speed that I want is because of me and had NOTHING to do with Ross.  Here is why.  I ask him to put a blade together with hardwood plies but the end product must be 85grams to 87grams.  It is almost impossible without using Balsa.  But, I didn't want to use Balsa core.  You might asked me why?  Well, because I was trying to make this blade similar to Mizutani and the speed between Viscaria and Mizutani.  So, at the end of the day, we actually got exactly what I designed for.  However, the feel is too good to be true.  Again why? Well, I am using pips and I thought that with 7-ply, it will be hard enough for my pips, but not really.  It feels so good that I could have use inverted rubbers on both sides.

Long story short, we got stuck with the dilemma: Weight vs. Speed, so I decided to go with weight and feel and sacrificed speed a little.  Basically, it came out exactly what we expected.

Now, I will tell you one thing I really like about Ross that he didn't mention.  During the design phase, I wanted a ST handle exactly like Mizutani.  Ross didn't have the router bits for the handle.  That's like a week before the Nationals.  He went out of his way and bought that router, finished the handle and the blade, sent the paddle to me, and I received the blade 2 days before the Nationals.  Just that alone, I would work with him any day.  This is why I took the blade for a test during my first match of the tournament.

Now, let me compare my blade to Mizutani Jun.  Here is the short version below:

Mizutani Jun

Plies: 3W+2 ZLCarbon (low throw)
Speed: 9+
Control: 7
Feel: 8
Comments:  This is a fast blade.  I used this for years.  This is a good blade if you want to end the rally quickly.

Leidy-Tran (7-ply)

Plies: 7W (medium throw)
Speed: 8-
Control: 9
Feel: 9+
Comments:  This is a good control blade.  It's not good, it's GREAT.  It's not as fast as Mizutani Jun; however, it is very balanced.  Great feel on the ball.  Good for two wing loopers.  If you are looking for power from the blade, this is NOT for you.  If you are looking for consistent looping and counter-looping, this is a perfect blade.  If you have problem with blocking, this blade can also help you because it's very stable blade.

If you have any other questions, please post it on this thread so Ross and I can help to answer.

@Ross:  I will email you about our next adventure.  BTW, I hope that you don't mind... I named that blade as Leidy-Tran 7-Ply

@All: Stand by for new blade with new combination.





Edited by speedy - 12/25/2011 at 9:44pm

Thanks for posting Ross. 

Carryboy asked me to post a few photos of his latest blade.  Earlier, I had sent him a similar demo blade, and he was so enthusiastic about it that he commissioned the one below.  Based on his comments to me about the blade, I'll definitely be adding this composition to my lineup.   It's a 5-ply OFF blade with a western red cedar core, and medium/medium-hard anigre for the medial and outer plies.  The handle is orange agate and east indian rosewood.

Very nice. What's the difference between the two blades?

frogger wrote: Hi Ross, hope you recieved Ultimate P #2 in good condition? I am having a blast with #1 (fantastic blade). It does everything like a dream....thanks a bunch and Merry Christmas!   Ultimate P #1 Yasaka Extend HS 2.0 BTY T05 FX 1.9

Do you have any pics of your Ultimate?

Ross Leidy wrote: fatt wrote: Reading your posts I was wondering if you had kiri cores (could not read about it on your website) and I got my answer   I only recently found a source for kiri, and I still need to update the website.   fatt wrote: I used to play the Mizutani Jun (one of the best offensive looping fast blades ever made) before I banned Butterfly from my tt life; this blade is close to it, the dyed red koto replacing the ZL carbon in the MJ composition (limba-zl carbon-limba-kiri-limba-zl carbon-limba). I might be next in line for a matching pair of those. Could a teak or paduk veneer do the same job than koto in the above blade composition?   Only Speedy has played this blade, so he might be able to compare it to the Mizutani Jun.  It does have a handle modeled directly from the ST Mizutani.  Speedy and I hashed out the composition over numerous emails, and in the end the blade didn't have quite the speed he was after.  An adjustment to the koto layer (switching it out for something harder) should bump it up a notch.  I currently do not have padauk veneer, but it is a possibility if it's a requirement.  Contact me offline if you'd like me to add you to the waiting list.

fatt wrote: Reading your posts I was wondering if you had kiri cores (could not read about it on your website) and I got my answer

fatt wrote: This is beautiful work. What is the composition of Speedy's blade?

AcudaDave wrote: I sent Ross an email yesterday after finding out about his website and I gotta say his blades look beautiful.  I think his blades are definitely a lot more expensive than your typical blade, but they look like a work of art and I definitely want to get one.  Can you put the person's name in the handle Ross?  Also can you make combo blades for people that play with long pips or short pips on 1 side? Thanks, Dave

Thanks, Dave.  Right now, I don't have a way to brand or mark the blades, let alone personalizing them.  I've investigated a few options, but haven't found anything that I was 100% happy with and could afford.  :)  So for now, my mark is no mark at all.

AcudaDave wrote: Can you put the person's name in the handle Ross?  Also can you make combo blades for people that play with long pips or short pips on 1 side? Thanks, Dave

I would advise you against putting your name on it unless you are 111% sure you are keeping the blade (which you haven't even seen yet!). Better to put the blade's name on it - just come up with something impressive.

As for combination blades - that is a very interesting question. I talked to Charlie Smith from BBC about that and he says that basically it is a very risky thing since it is really hard to make a combination blade which doesn't get gradually warped in a year or two - because of the diff in the expansion/contraction rates on the different sides of the blade when absorbing moisture or drying out.

That is crazy!!!!!!!!

All... look at that handle and those plies... it's a very SEXY blade and very good control blade.  This is an OFF- to OFF blade.  Highly Recommended 

Ross:  Thank you for your hard work.

speedy wrote: Ross made me a blade right before the Nationals.  I used it at the Nationals, and it was an awesome experience.  I will definitely get a few more with different combinations. Ross is very professional and take his work seriously.  We went through a series of email, and he always stayed on top of them, and answered them promptly and accurately. @Ross:  Do you still have the pictures of my blade?  please post them, I'd like to share with everyone.

Hi Speedy, It was a privilege to have a blade evaluated under battle conditions.  :)  I look forward to seeing what avenue we go down next.

Edited by Ross Leidy - 12/21/2011 at 10:28pm