Donic Waldner Dotec Carbon

Love this rubber—it’s easy to control with enough speed for any intermediate player. However, a more advanced tournament player will probably want more pure speed and spin. This rubber is great for learning strokes and footwork as it is very controllable. Master player Ti Long on YouTube uses this on forehand, so it is certainly up to specs for a pro as well.

Donic Waldner Dotec Carbon

I purchased this blade 6 months ago. I absolutely love it, but I’ve noticed that when I use it aggressively, I can hear the carbon bounce. I’ve had this issue since day one. Does that mean the blade is cracked?

My first Donic blade has enabled my previously useless backhand attack to become lethal, even with low over-the-net shots. I can now generate incredible speed and whip from my forehand loop attack while still maintaining precise control for push/chop returns.

Combined with Rakza soft rubber, I experience an unparalleled feel for the ball and exceptional control. It has surpassed my wildest expectations, allowing me to triumph in matches I would have otherwise lost.

Compared to the Yinhe T-6 and Sanwei HC.5S, this remarkable blade offers an exceptional feel and impressive control while maintaining ample speed. Despite its lightweight of 75 grams, which would typically indicate a slower blade, it excels in blocking and serving, with topspins still being highly effective.

The grip design provides unexpected benefits. Despite initial concerns about its impact on my backhand, the “open” grip, coupled with the Bluefire JP 03 rubber on the backhand, has significantly enhanced my backhand play. On the forehand, the Blue Acuda P2 rubber facilitates a controlled and offensive game. However, I am considering switching to Vega Japan or EL-S or EL-P for increased power.

Overall, this blade is outstanding. Its current ranking (13 or 14) is well-merited, and my review has even boosted it to rank 4! To top it off, I was able to acquire it for a mere 55 euros, leaving me immensely satisfied with my purchase.

And now 3 years with this amazing blade. Very great balance between speed and control. ; -).

Due to the handle, it makes it easier to get good arcs with forehand, which is great for getting side spins to the right. However, backhand is more set up for smashes, pushes, and counterattacks, making it a bit harder to keep the ball down and looping.

The handle is very comfortable, but it takes some time to adjust. Strokes are a bit different, with some benefits and some costs. Therefore, consider getting rubbers that suit the setup, like T64, Razaka 9 for backhand, and T05fx Andro Rasant Grip for forehand. I think due to the angle, you can get away with using a faster rubber on forehand to compensate for the angle.

It is important to change your play style a bit to suit the handle as it does make a noticeable difference, but it can be a great asset if you play by its strengths.

I’ve tried this blade with both Rakza 7 Soft and Tenergy 05. The power is probably somewhere in the OFF-/OFF range. However, it compensates for a slight lack of power with its high control and comfortable grip.

I initially played with the Rakza 7 Soft, so I’m more adjusted to it. Consequently, it remains my preferred rubber. I’m currently playing with the Tenergy 05. I’ll update my review if I adjust to the Tenergy and end up preferring it.

Great feel with the anatomic cork handle, excellent for fast drives and no vibration.

I feel like my blade is less than the stated 85 grams and am worried about weight as my rubbers are avg. weight. I hope this is just my perception.

A super blade! I use it with Tibhar Genius Sound on both sides. A superb combo, great for touch shots and for killer loops, Genius Sound really generates a lot of spin with this blade.

Also blocking with the backhand is fine, you have to get used to the way the handle positions your backhand (a bit open thus looping is more difficult, but gets better in time.

In short a perfect blade and combination!.

If you get hooked on the Dotec grip, this is the best blade in the series, in my opinion. I hope Donic will release a few new Dotec blades. I have played with almost all of them, and the Waldner Carbon is the best.

It offers a very good ratio between speed and control. The blade is stiff, but not very stiff, and works best with rubbers having a medium sponge hardness.

It’s hard to go back after using the handle this blade provides. The Cork deadens the unwanted vibrations without killing the feel for the ball, resulting in a very smooth feel.

The blade itself has a lot of speed as well as ease of touch. It offers one of the highest ratios of control to speed I’ve experienced in a blade.

One thing to note is that the design of the handle results in a more closed forehand and a more open backhand. The difference is marginal but worth mentioning. This means it is slightly more challenging to loop on the backhand side and slightly easier to loop on the forehand side.

I’ve been using this blade for the last three seasons in combination with Z1 & Z2 max+.

Pros: The handle is excellent. The size, thickness, and soft, non-slip feeling help maintain proper technique.

Cons: The handle shape can be a limitation for certain unique serves. Additionally, I experienced durability issues. Three out of three blades developed cracks between the cork and wood handle connection within a month or less. This caused an inconvenient feel during the game and was the primary reason I stopped using this blade. Interestingly, my old Dotec blade (no carbon), which I used for two seasons and still use for situations where damage is possible, doesn’t have this issue. The cork/wood connection is solid.

I’m unsure about the power. It’s sufficient for a spinny style of play, but I felt a lack of power for pressure games. It wasn’t bad in general, but it wasn’t as fast as regular carbon blades. This might be caused by the weight. With the same rubber setup, the Dotec Carbon blade was about 14g lighter than the standard carbon blade. This sounds insignificant, but the difference in power was huge.

Control was awesome, and power, as stated, was adequate. There was no vibration at all thanks to the cork.

The moment I picked up this blade, the first thing that struck me was the handle. It’s a game-changer! The unique design initially puzzled me about which side was meant for the forehand.

After some experimentation, I found that placing my thumb on the side with the Donic logo felt right. It provides a snugger fit, and the subtle bulge where the thumb rests is a brilliant touch. This small elevation allows for better power transfer when executing backhand strokes, giving me an edge during intense rallies.

Compared to the traditional FL handle, the Dotec handle is noticeably thicker and crafted from a material resembling the cork of a fine wine bottle – porous and excellent at absorbing sweat. As someone with sweaty palms, this feature is a godsend. It keeps my grip firm and consistent throughout the game, without any slippage or discomfort.

In terms of rubber combination, I paired it with the Xiom Vega China VM on the forehand and the Butterfly Rozena on the backhand. This pairing has been a revelation. The blade and rubber work in harmony to deliver a sublime looping experience. The balls seem to glide off the racket with precision and power, allowing me to place my shots exactly where I want them.

One of the most noticeable differences is the weight. This setup is at least 10 grams lighter than my previous racket, and it shows. The increased maneuverability has given my game a new level of fluidity. I can now react quicker to fast-paced shots and execute my strokes with more finesse.

Overall, the Donic Waldner Dotec Carbon blade has exceeded my expectations. It’s not just a piece of equipment; it’s a tool that has enhanced my performance on the table. If you’re looking to take your table tennis game to the next level, I highly recommend giving this blade a try. It might just be the upgrade you’ve been searching for.