Donic Skachkov Carbon

Construction:

• ALC outer carbon
• Koto, ALC, Ayous, Kiri, Ayous, ALC, Koto (with a beautiful grain pattern in the Koto surface and thick Ayous layers)

Performance:

Speed: Comparable to Butterfly Skachkov Carbon or Viscaria

Control: Superior control compared to Viscaria

Other Features:

• A professional-grade blade with high performance
• Significantly more affordable than similar blades (priced at 47 euros)
• Potentially targeted towards markets in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia
• A budget-friendly alternative to ALC outer carbon blades from AliExpress

Review

This versatile blade excels in all aspects of table tennis play. The combination of G1 inverted rubber on the forehand and p1r pips on the backhand provides impeccable control for blocking near the table, chopping from medium and long distances, and generating ample spin reversal. The forehand side boasts excellent attacking capabilities, particularly with higher throw rubbers like G1, Rakza Z, or T05. Even with Nittaku Factice, the blade exhibits remarkable control and ease of flat hitting.

Despite its speed, which falls between Viscaria and ALC or Korbel (e.g., a 100g Korbel), the blade offers a slightly muted feel yet provides ample vibrations and ball feedback, akin to an IF ALC but with a crispier touch due to the koto outer plies. Its power delivery is linear, unlike blades that exhibit distinct gear changes upon engaging the carbon reinforcement.

The blade’s dimensions (159x152mm) exceed the standard size, and its weight of approximately 85g is balanced towards the head. The lightweight wood in the handle contributes to the head-heavy feel. The ST version features a square and thick profile, providing comfort for large hands and ease of twiddling.

While the finish quality is satisfactory, it falls short of premium blades with higher price tags. Some sanding and lacquering are recommended to prevent damage to the outer ply during rubber changes. Nonetheless, considering its budget-friendly price, this blade represents an exceptional value from Donic!

A new comer to the table tennis blade scene, the Skachkov Carbon blade weighs in at a mere 85 grams. Boasting an aesthetically pleasing design, its FL handle provides a comfortable grip.

After two weeks of testing with GoldArc 8 on the forehand and Aurus Soft on the backhand, I have developed a strong affinity for this blade. In my collection of over 30 blades, the Skachkov Carbon stands out as one of the top five in terms of its balance between speed and control. It offers a superb feel, characterized by a slightly informative vibration.

Regarding its speed, it is not overly fast and is comparable to the Innerforce Alc or Acoustic Carbon blades.

This blade is very popular in Russia, perhaps even one of the most popular. It offers good value for its price.

While the blade doesn’t have exceptional speed (rated around 8 out of 10), its feel is excellent. It provides a slightly muted, yet clear feeling with some elasticity in the center. The hardness feels between medium and medium-hard, but ultimately presents as a clear and unique medium.

I haven’t tested it at long distances, so I can’t comment on that aspect. However, it performs admirably at close and mid-distances.

I tested this blade alongside the DHS 301, Pro01, and Harimoto ALC. Here are my comparative impressions:

***Speed: Pro01 > Harimoto > 301 > Skachkov
***Block: Pro01 > Skachkov > Harimoto > 301
***Control: Skachkov (excels with low-speed balls) > Pro01 (very good) > Harimoto (unclear, may require different rubbers; currently tested with T19 & Bluestorm Z2) > 301 (lacks the energy to return difficult, flat balls over the net)
***Feelings: Pro01 (exceptionally clear) > Skachkov (bouncy across the surface) > 301 (flexible & non-linear speed) > Harimoto (poor feel, requires adaptation)
***Loops: Difficult to assess definitively; all blades perform adequately in this area.
***Handle (FL): Skachkov = Pro-01 > 301 (slightly small) > Harimoto (slightly uncomfortable)

I genuinely enjoy playing with the Skachkov close to the table and at mid-distance, utilizing a tactical game by varying tempo and direction. My Skachkov is paired with a DHS Goldarc 8 (perfect) and a DHS 8-80 (which I still need to adjust to). Two DHS Goldarc 8 rubbers would make an excellent combination.

I recommend giving it a try!