|
|
NEXY Hinoki Blade Review by Tommy Zai |
Post Reply |
Author | |
tommyzai
Premier Member Senior Animator Joined: 02/17/2007 Location: Tucson AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 9289 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 03/17/2014 at 4:03pm |
Nexy Tamar V + VII Review by Tommy
Zai WHY HINOKI? Hinoki is a species of cypress that is native to central Japan. It’s a slow growing, high quality timber, used as a building material for palaces, temples, noh theaters, baths and more importantly — table tennis blades. These mythical hinoki blades are best known for their springy speed and amazing feel. One plies are rockets, but are usually too ridged, easily breakable, and often uncontrollable for most players; however, five and seven ply hinoki blades usually provide lots of speed without sacrificing touch and control. WHY TAMAR? In my search for the ultimate pure Japanese cypress multi-ply blade I discovered Tamar. The more I researched the more I became intrigued by the blade and their company — Nexy. I wanted to place an order, but could not decide between Tamar V and VII. Well, being the Unstoppable EJ Madman, I had no choice — I ordered both! I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison of a five and seven ply hinoki blade. I received two straight handled blades, each weighing in at 85g. FIRST IMPRESSIONS Fast EMS delivery (5-days from Korea to USA). Boxed nicely. When I opened the packaging the first thing I noticed was the sweet scent of pure hinoki cypress. The boxes are simple and basic, nothing fancy. Yet, the blades themselves are nicely finished with engravings burned into the handle and an emblem attached to the bottom, serving as decorative end-cap. The blades feel nice in the hand. The straight handles are not round like a baseball bat, nor are they too narrow like a chopstick — they are a gently rounded rectangle, which is very comfortable for players with human-sized hands. The blade surface is smooth as a baby’s butt. One light coat of sealant is all that’s needed protect it! It’s unlikely this blade will splinter. BOUNCE TEST I dropped a new Premium 3-star ball from 40mm onto the center of the naked blade, which was freely lying flat (handle handing off edge) on a solid wood table.
GLUED UP! The blades are well balanced with standard weight rubbers affixed to BH and FH — slightly head-heavy, which is perfect for generating extra spin on shots and serve! I tried various combinations on both blades, which included Japanese factory boosted, Chinese factory boosted, Korean and Japanese standard (old school), SPs, LPs, Antis. PLAYING POSITIONS I demoed both blades at three positions: touch shots, close-to-the-table, and mid-distance. One of my practice partners demoed the blades at a forth position — long-distance/away-from-the-table. Both blades held up nicely at all four positions; however, the V performs well at every distance, while the VII performs well near and really well away from the table with two distinctive gears — touch and blast. Overall, V is less bouncy and easier to control over the table, while VII is bouncier and easier to control away from the table. SPEED Tamar V has just enough speed to put the ball away and Tamar VII clearly has some extra zip to help when out of position, away from the table. SPIN You can generate a surprising amount of spin with V and VII. Even I was able to crank up a few rotations on both strokes and serves. I did not notice much flex on either blade; however, there was plenty of feel/touch. V is more akin to spin. FEEL Both blade transfer ball feel into the handle well, but a little more so with the V due to a bit more vibration. DISRUPTIVE EFFECT WHEN USING LPs and ANTI -coming soon- SOUND Both blades produce a nice, crisp sound that screams, “I’m coming’ to get you!” The seven-ply had a bit deeper roar. In general, they both have a pleasing “ping.” RUBBERS The
friction-based Japanese rubbers in factory treated and standard (Tenergy 05 and
Mark V) proved to be a better match than the sticky Chinese rubbers (H3 neo and
H3). IN ACTION CONCLUSION
Tommy Zai's Tamar V Rating (0 – 100)
Tommy Zai's Tamar VII Rating (0 – 100)
CONCLUSION The Tamar series by Nexy are finely crafted, nicely finished hinoki blades that look great, feel fantastic, and perform amazingly! They possess the rare combination of being hard (stiff) and soft at the same time. Whether you are a looper, blocker, hitter, all-round player, or even an insane EJ collector, I highly recommend giving one of the Tamars a try — but which model, V or VII? The choice is yours! I’m keeping both!! FOR MORE INFORMATION Nexy V: http://www.nexy.com/shop/step1.php?number=1602&b_code=B20091201071556&c_code=C20091202014952 Nexy VII: http://www.nexy.com/shop/step1.php?number=1603&b_code=B20091201071556&c_code=C20091202014952 Edited by tommyzai - 03/17/2014 at 4:35pm |
|
For More Info, PM or Email me: [email protected]
|
|
Sponsored Links | |
Matt Pimple
Gold Member Joined: 12/03/2012 Location: Phoenix Status: Offline Points: 1995 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Very nice review, Tommy.
Could you say something about the disruptive effect and spin reversal of long pips and anti on the Tamar blades in particular in comparison to carbon blades?
|
|
tommyzai
Premier Member Senior Animator Joined: 02/17/2007 Location: Tucson AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 9289 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Ah, I do play a combination game, but I didn't think anyone would be interested . . . silly me. Matt, I demoed with LPs and Antis on the BH side. I also had another MYTT member play with it a bit. Could I ask you to try them out before I add to the review? I would appreciate it. I only have two years experience with disruptive rubbers (not counting five years with Dr. Evil).
Edited by tommyzai - 03/17/2014 at 4:37pm |
|
For More Info, PM or Email me: [email protected]
|
|
Matt Pimple
Gold Member Joined: 12/03/2012 Location: Phoenix Status: Offline Points: 1995 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sure, I am always happy to test something. I have a couple different Dr. Neubauer antis and also a sheet of Dr. N Diamant (medium pip) that we could test on the Hinoki blades and compare for example to my current setup (Dr. Neubauer Hercules) which so far has been the best blade in combination with anti.
|
|
aeoliah
Premier Member Joined: 11/18/2005 Location: Indonesia Status: Offline Points: 3215 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nice review, thanks ! I just hope that your wife can accept it that you bought 2 blades at the same time
|
|
Member of the Single Ply Hinoki Club
Viscaria Super ALC C-Pen Rasanter C48 |
|
Carryboy
Silver Member Joined: 05/12/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 723 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nice review tommyzai, nice looking blades too.
|
|
Spin Master Carbo Power (Stefan Elsner Custom)
Donic Acuda S1 Max Donic Acuda P1 Blue Max |
|
tommyzai
Premier Member Senior Animator Joined: 02/17/2007 Location: Tucson AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 9289 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks!! I'll add to the review after a few more players try it out with various rubbers. Matt Pimple will demo it in a few weeks.
|
|
For More Info, PM or Email me: [email protected]
|
|
Matt Pimple
Gold Member Joined: 12/03/2012 Location: Phoenix Status: Offline Points: 1995 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Can't wait to test it! I am already boosting a couple month old T05 for it.
|
|
pongcrazy
Gold Member Joined: 07/07/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 1055 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Tommy, Curious how you would compare the 7 ply Tamar to a 7p2a-7t? If I remember correctly you recently had one and its also the blade I currently know and love! Thanks in advance for any comparison info.
|
|
tommyzai
Premier Member Senior Animator Joined: 02/17/2007 Location: Tucson AZ USA Status: Offline Points: 9289 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I've owned a few Darker blades over the years. They are finely crafted. In comparison, I would say the Darker 7p-2a.7t series is faster, and the Tamar series has more control and feel — especially the "talk" through the handle. Both fine quality hinoki blades.
Edited by tommyzai - 03/22/2014 at 1:26pm |
|
For More Info, PM or Email me: [email protected]
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Forum Home | Go to the Forums | Forum Help | Disclaimer
MyTableTennis.NET is the trading name of Alex Table Tennis Ltd. |