Donic Appelgren Allplay Senso V2

This blade is cheap and has very good wood in comparison to other blades in its price range. It’s not just suitable for beginners, but it can also be used for attacking with a hard and fast rubber cover.

I highly recommend it in this price category.

This blade is rated all, but it is closer to all+, so it is not as slow as you might think. Control is amazing. It is a thin (5.3 mm) looping blade. The handle is hollow, and the blade is made of 5 plies of wood (limba-limba-ayous-limba-limba).

It is not perfect for smash or flick but great for loops, pushes, and chops. If you like to hit hard and maintain control, you’ll get this with Senso V2. The sweet spot is medium, and block is medium easy to perform but not too dangerous for your opponent.

This blade does not have too much power of its own, so you need to use force when hitting from a distance. It might not be a blade for top world players, but if you are a recreational player or a minor league competitor, this is a great choice for an all-around game.

Edit (after some time): I put Yasaka Rakza 7 and Rakza 7 soft on this blade, and it is a miracle! Speed, control, and spin all in one. Senso V2 totally keeps these fast rubbers under control. Forehand with R7 soft is amazing. Loop has an enormous amount of spin. It is great to hit and to watch. The best combination I have tried so far.

Gee, I never thought that an ALL blade can be this good. I have this blade just to play around with basement players, but I am hooked with this blade. It is good for short game and service return, but it is amazingly good for looping (with extra kick and curved ball). I don’t lose a lot of speed either with it (I am playing close to table).

However, it is not too good for blocking or smashing. But given some time, when you can hit right at the sweet spot, you can block or smash well.

One of the best all-around blades that I’ve ever played! The control is amazing, and the speed is enough for an all-around style of game. I love this blade very much, together with Yasaka Extra, which I consider among the best in their category!

I own all three versions of this blade. I have an affinity towards them since I roomed with Mikael at the 1981 US Open. He was a super nice guy. When the blade became available, I bought a few to give as gifts figuring he might get a few bucks in royalties!

I normally play Butterfly Arylate blades, but I got a set of these to see if more control would help. I found them a bit slow for my all-round game. I emphasize backhand pick hitting and looping—I twiddle between short pips and inverted—but the control is excellent. I recently bought another from Mr. G with some 837 on the backhand. It works pretty well for blocking and deep chopping. However, without glue, the forehand loop is a little slow for my taste.

I use one with “Magic Pips” and Scramble 21 as a coaching bat since the control is so good. I am not cranking the ball against the 11-12 year old boys I coach. I also set one up with a couple of sheets of “Dr. Evil,” and it makes a great attacking hard bat.

The craftsmanship on these is excellent for a 40-dollar or so blade. I suggest sealing the wood, though. The feel is better than, say, the Stiga Allround Classic. It is similar to the Yasaka Gatien Allround blade I use for Hardbat.

This blade belongs to the All+ class. It’s an excellent choice for allround players who prioritize spin. However, it may lack power when playing away from the table.

Control is impressive, with moderate vibration and ball feedback. The flared handle is comfortable but may feel slightly small for some. Despite this, the handle design is aesthetically pleasing.

Overall, this blade is suitable for beginners, loopers (close to mid-distance), and players who prefer a controlled style.