How Many Paddles?

So how many paddles have you used before deciding on the one you currently use (or the one you will be using next week)? There are so many it seems that you could spend a small fortune deciding on the exact paddle to complement your game.

I mean, do you just end up settling on one that you feel confident with? Are the differnces in the paddles really that drastic?

I won't even start on the different rubbers, that is a whole nother ball of wax

Hi David,
     You can spend a HUGE fortune trying out different combos.
     I always have my fav bat for tournements and practice with that the most but I also have more to try or switch this rubber to that bat or try the newest stuff out there. It isn't that I think I will find the magic bullet but more that it is fun.
     Every now and then you do find something that is better for your style and then I switch. I am using a new combo now that I think will be my new setup.  I'll give it a week to make sure. Used my last setup for about 4 months. There are lots of players that will buy my used stuff, mostly beginners that I coach and want to move up to a custom bat. If they buy a fast rubber from me, I put it on a slow bat which keeps some control.
     EJ  forever!!!!!!!  
     (PS, just ordered the 3 newest rubbers and one more of my fav bats today)

silvalis,
you are right, only the taksim and viscaria are balsa core. (my friend has taksim, so I thought the other viscaria clone would be the same....my bad)

wonder what iolite/cofferlait center core looks like, anyone?

Iolite/TBS/Taksim all have Kiri core and Cofferlait has Hinoki core.

I've used 5 blades, and just got my 6th! The first two were premades (Stiga & TSP) that I used for maybe a year. Then, I noticed everyone else was using custom-built rackets, so I got an Avalox CPen, then dabbled with a Butterfly JPen. After about a year and a half of playing pen, I realized that shake is much better for me, so I used a defensive Nittaku shakehand blade for a year. Now, I'm looking for something with a little more oompf in the offensive department, so I got a Visse custom blade. And yes, getting up to this point cost a small fortune. It really depends how you approach the game. People who take TT casually don't really need to change blades all the time. Serious players either develop into picky players (common) or non-caring players (rare). That's when all the equipment options really take their toll. At some ideal point, a player finds a setup that satisfies their need for new "stuff" and also their ability to play "effectively" and win points. It's all a mental thing.

It's like buying an expensive car. Any (working) car will get you where you want to go. An expensive car might get you there faster, or more comfortably, or with more style. It just depends how satisfied the driver is with what they have.

I started with a Butterfly, Already esembled racket. Not good.

Upgraded to a Friendship blade with 2 Srivers On it. Lost, Snapped in half on leg.

Got exact same blade, but got Sriver And Friendship. HATE Friendship!

Am going to Canada Games In February, Wanted to get a racket I liked to get used to it.  Got my Donic Senso V1, With Innova And Srivr. I love it and use it all the time will get identical rakcet a week or so before games for spare.