NEW Yasaka ROSE 5 (Goiabao 5) review!

From some Chinese forums and the Chinese stock description, it seems the Yasaka Goiabao 5 is also referred to as the Rose 5, similar to Stiga Rosewood V.  Goiabao is a South American hardwood that is actually denser than Rosewood but not as dense as Ebony, all of which is harder than its predecessor, the YEO (walnut).  Yasaka China's marketing claims this to be the upgrade for the YEO and the continuation of Ma Lin's legacy of blades for the plastic ball era, citing that they haven't released any new Ma Lin style blades for about 7 years now, and it was time for the (google-translate-worded) "Return of the King."  

My Goiabao 5 arrived today and I plan to do a full written and video review.  I've just assembled it and will be taking it to a training camp later this evening to see how it plays!  It appears to be the same material as the YEO with the exception of the outer ply (goiabao-spruce-ayous-spruce-goiabao) with a slightly thicker core.  From initial bouncing and feeling, I anticipate this to be the lovechild of the Stiga Rosewood and Yasaka Extra Offensive born for the plastic ball .  Yasaka rates this 5 ply all-wood blade at a whopping OFF+ 

Here are some pictures to tie everyone over until I get to fully test it out!  The quality from Yasaka on this blade is PHENOMENAL - measures nearly perfectly flat (+/- 0.03mm) and 6.13mm thick, and the finish was flawless.  I was hoping for a heavier blade closer to 90g, but the one I received weighed 83g.  The handle is more tapered than YEO, more like the Rosewood V's handle in shape.  The handle color and design also is more like Stiga's instead of the Ma Lin style gray handle.  But unfortunately, like its Stiga counterpart, sanding was necessary to adhere water based glue properly... I took some pictures before that.

I just got back from an adult training camp with Stellan Bengtsson, and had a chance to really give the blade a work out.  Here are my first impressions compared to other popular/similar cpen blades:

Feel:

Delightfully crispy when the wood is engaged, similar to RW5.  It feels very solid with the largest sweet spot I've felt on a 5-ply blade, similar to what you might expect from a 7-ply blade like the YES or a clipper, but with much more feedback to boot!  The feeling actually reminds me a lot of how the YEO felt with the old celluloid ball, except stiffer.  This may be one of the few examples of manufacturers making good on their marketing claims of upgrading equipment for the plastic ball without completely going in a different direction 

The YEO had a muted feel in comparison unless you hit really hard, whereas I could feel the Goiabao 5 (referred to as G5 from here on) much more clearly with little effort.  That's not to say that the YEO feels dull - far from it, but the G5 clearly feels like an upgrade by comparison.  

G5 is stiffer than Stiga's RW5 which gives it better touch at the table in my opinion.  It is more flexible than the Ebenholz series and the 7-ply versions of Stiga's hardwood blades.

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Drives/Flat Hits/Blocks:

Very well behaved - throws the ball at a medium low angle similar to the Ma Lin Carbon, lower/straighter than the YEO.  Smashes really well with true OFF+ speed, and blocking was among the best of any blades I've used, even with traditional backhand which is not my strong suit.  My backhand punch however sometimes trailed a little long with T05, but with the traditional punch using TG2 things were very nicely controlled.

Blocking/punching control:

MLC > IZLC = G5 > Clipper > RW5 = YEO > YES

Flat-hit speed:

IZLC > G5 > Clipper > YES > YEO > RW5 > MLC

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Service and Short Game:

G5 was a little bouncier than YEO and RW5, but for the most part no drastic technique adjustments were needed to use the G5 well.  I felt I could perhaps generate a bit more spin with the YEO and RW5 on serves because of their slight flex in comparison, but it is mostly negligible.

Backhand flips with the G5 were wonderful with T05, although I was a little uncomfortable with the 6.1mm thickness for the FH flips after being accustomed to the 5.5, 5.6, and 5.9mm thicknesses of blades like MLC, IZLC, and YEO.  This is not a fault of the blade by any means, it is just something to get used to.

Service control:

YEO > MLC > G5 > RW5 > YES > IZLC > Clipper

Push/dropshot control:

YEO > G5 > YES > MLC = IZLC > RW5 > Clipper

BH Flips control:

G5 = IZLC > MLC > YEO > RW5 > YES > Clipper

FH Flips control:

IZLC > YEO > MLC > YES > G5 > RW5 > Clipper

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Loop against block:

FH looping at mid-distance is very satisfying.  The pace on the ball rivals that of Butterfly ZLC blades, and the G5 is no slouch when it comes to generating topspin with Chinese rubber either.  The G5 requires a bit of a faster swing than most of the other blades I've compared it to in order to generate enough arc to land on the table, similar to the IZLC... otherwise the ball has a tendency to just float away with a lazy-swing.

FH Loop Speed:

G5 > IZLC > YES > Clipper > RW5 = YEO > MLC

FH Loop Spin:

YES = IZLC > G5 = Clipper > MLC > YEO > RW5

FH Loop Control:

MLC > YES = G5 > Clipper > YEO > IZLC > RW5

BH loops were great off-the-bounce close to the table, but I struggled a bit at the mid distance to consistently create speedy loops with T05.  I found myself brushing a lot to keep the ball on the table, where with previous Yasaka blades I could rip the ball with great confidence.  T05 has been my go to backhand rubber for lower throwing blades, but the G5 seems accentuate T05's high throw to the point where I'm losing control.  I want to put my current favorite BH rubber Agrit Speed on it, but I'm afraid that anything lighter than T05 will make this 83g blade too light for me.  I may have to place another order for a heavier one to possibly remedy this .  I forgot to mention that the total setup weight with TG2 and T05 with the TG2 cut to cpen FH is about 177-178g.  My ideal weight is closer to 183-184g.

BH Loops at the table (control):

MLC = G5 > IZLC > YEO > YES > RW5 > Clipper

BH Loops at mid-distance (control):

YEO = MLC > IZLC > RW5 > Clipper = G5 > YES

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That's it for now - I didn't get a chance to thoroughly compare the blades I have when it comes to looping under spin or counter-looping today despite playing a couple matches that involved those shots.  I haven't found much fault with the G5 yet other than personal nitpicking for specific blade weights/rubber combinations.  I will be posting more about this blade later as I try it some more, as well as uploading my video review once it's complete!

Yasaka G5 is also thinner than the 7 ply blades you mentioned and more flexible while still being harder than carbo 7.6.  G5 is also more direct on flat drives than any of the blades you mentioned so I think you might like it.  I have a G5 cpen for sale in my sale thread, and PingPongHolic10 recently acquired one from me too, so maybe he can share his experiences with it.

Limited Edition Xu Xin G5 (3D Lens)!!! =P

 

From what I remember, it feels harder and stiffer than the YEO, and is also thicker.  I felt like the YEO was more controllable for me when it came to looping because of its better flex, but the G5 was much more controllable in more direct hits like blocking and driving.  

For those who feel the YEO is a bit flimsy, the G5 will be the answer.  For others who feel that the YEO is too springy, the G5 will feel like a (lightweight) brick with little spin.  I don't think one is universally better than the other, but the G5 is certainly faster.