BBC Clan (chat, reviews, etc)

you can email Charlie at bladesbycharlie@gmail.com and he'll probably be willing to adjust the specs for you and advise if he can hit the target weight you're looking for

Edited by the_theologian - 05/26/2012 at 8:24pm

I'm looking into a BBC or Ross Leidy blade - I know I can not go wrong with either choice.  Debating between the Carboflex Alpha and the 9-10-9 mostly though (so BBC). 
I want a carbon blade for the enhanced sweet spot, but I've got to find someone with a more flexible blade than my Dotec Control so I can feel the difference between a stiff and flexible blade.

Only hard part is how light can I get a blade and it still be balanced or slightly handle heavy with baracuda or geospin tacky rubbers on it.


Edited by iamwardicus - 05/29/2012 at 7:53pm

9-10-9 is a great blade but only barely flexible. haven't played with carboflex to know

Originally posted by iamwardicus I'm looking into a BBC or Ross Leidy blade - I know I can not go wrong with either choice.  Debating between the Carboflex Alpha and the 9-10-9 mostly though (so BBC).  I want a carbon blade for the enhanced sweet spot, but I've got to find someone with a more flexible blade than my Dotec Control so I can feel the difference between a stiff and flexible blade. Only hard part is how light can I get a blade and it still be balanced or slightly handle heavy with baracuda or geospin tacky rubbers on it.

BBC 9-10-9 is about 7.5-7.6 mm thick so there is almost no flex. If you need flex, then go with Carboflex or smth similar from BBC catalog.

9-10-9 or Ultima line (7-16-7, 6-17-6) is mostly for blockers/hitters who don't do quick looping close to the table. They still loop very good with proper rubbers but not great at short opening loops or loops right off the bounce - depends on your technique of course but I am talking about general properties here.

You can also ask Charley to produce smth like 7-7-7 for you - one of the forummers here got it done and he likes it a lot, it a quite flexy carbon blade with good feeling (about 5.8 mm thick). Perhaps you would like to go just a tad thicker to add some stability - then do smth like 7-9-7 (each unit is 10 thou = 0.25 mm) which will be 6.3 mm thick. It will cost you the same as 9-10-9 but it will be your own unique customized blade.

Main thing is you need to REALLY know your stuff - like what thickness is best for you in terms of general flex, and how deep do you want the carbon layers to be. Once you decide, consult with Charley.

I'm obviously still learning, and depending on my work week my playtime can be minimal at best...  I just know I have to step it up a bit from my dotec control + geospin tacky as it's too slow.   I'll loop drive my absolute hardest and *plop* - easy return.  I'm hoping that with a blade change I can either get more spin (seems to be a dream though considering the advent of the new polymer ball), or I can keep the control and spin of the geospin but get another gear or two for when I need the speed/power to put away a shot.   I very rarely slam as I'd rather keep a ball on the table instead of loose control.  

The BBC Carboflex Alpha is a blade I've actually had a reasonable amount of playtime with, but that was 8 years ago.  I loved it, but the people I play against have vastly different styles than what I used to play against.  I need to change what I'm used to to compensate for that, and just improve the best I can.   I'll try to sample more blades tonight to get some feedback on flex if possible.


OT:
Also I've discovered the sport of pickleball which I can actually play for a few hours every week... we'll see how that goes too :-p

Blades do not need ITTF approval.

They simply need to adhere to the construction guidelines found in the ITTF rulebook to be legal for play.

JimT,

(eery voice)