Korbel vs YEO

Don't know about korbel since I never used one but I've used YEO for about 6 months. It has enormous gears. If you swing fast, the top gear can be unbelievably fast. The blade has a lot of flex, plus it's plenty elastic and snaps back quickly when bent, that's why the explosive top gear. Short game can be difficult if you use very grippy rubbers because then the setup will react to incoming spin like crazy. From what my experiance is with YEO, it's great for the close and mid distance loopers who swing really hard and has good footwork + stamina. Blockers don't do well with YEO, IMO. Also, it vibrates like hell.

Edited by ronakvyas86 - 02/18/2017 at 3:59am

that's technique. i played a 2200 provincial player who created huge arcs using YEO and hurricane. i can create any arc as long as it's w/ inverted. it's a matter of spin and drive control, the two components to any shot

Edited by kurokami - 02/18/2017 at 12:59pm

I have been playing with YEO for at least 5 years, on FH I use Baracuda and on BH Diamant pips. 

Edited by Rainer87 - 02/18/2017 at 1:58pm

I use Korbel recently (after a long hiatus).  Since my old Korbel (black butterfly tag) is an antique now, I bought a new Korbel.  To my surprise, the weights are around 95 - 99 grams.   I chose the "light" 95 grams Korbel, and put my H3 Neo / Mark V on it.  In the past, I can get 90 - 93 grams Korbel easily.  My old FL blade is 89 grams.  My old Conic Korbel (sold) was around 87 grams.   All are made in Japan.

I own YEO also.   However, I prefer the good old trusty Korbel.  I think it is a more "allround" offensive blade.  Somehow I like Limba better than Walnut.   I don't say that Korbel is better than YEO, it is just my preference.  My friend and I like Korbel why my other friend can't let go of his YEO.
Both are excellent blades.

Answering your questions:
Korbel is the "medium of medium" blade (in term of characteristics).   It is not too hard, not too soft (medium).  It is not stiff yet not too flexy either.  Speed is medium fast (OFF- if you use standard rubbers and OFF if you use latest generation tensors).  It goes well with classic rubbers (Sriver and Mark V), Chinese rubbers and ESN rubbers (tensors).  It can be played offensively (as it is intended to be) as shown by Korbel, Oh Sang Eun, etc., and yet it can be used defensively (world class chopper actually uses it).

For us, mortal players, a Korbel can be used a life time.  Just change your rubbers as you progress.

Weakness:
1.  There are two types of Korbel:  European made (Hungary) and Japanese made.  Choose Japanese made Korbel as it is better.

2.  Japanese Korbel is only offered in FL.  You can get ST and AN, but it is very hard to get those.  Hungarian Korbel is offered in FL, ST and AN.   But quality wise, I stick to the Japanese one.

3.  FL handle is thin so if you have big hand, you will hate it.  AN and ST are much better (if you can get one).

4.  I assume it is hard to get Japanese Korbel if you live in Europe because BTY only lets you buy from local authorized dealers.  If you live in the USA, it is easy to get Japanese one.

Best regards....



Edited by doraemon - 02/20/2017 at 1:15am