Friendship/729 Bomb
Blade description:
This is an all-wood offensive blade featuring a unique construction that incorporates a cork core. This specific design choice provides a distinct, springy feel with significant “kick” when attacking, while maintaining a level of control often associated with all-round blades. It is generally characterized as an offensive-speed blade that performs well for loop-oriented players.
Playing Characteristics
- Feel and Dwell: The blade is noted for its high dwell time and exceptional touch, which allows for precise spin generation and control during loop drives. Players often describe a unique feedback profile that bridges the gap between the speed of an offensive blade and the tactile feedback of a slower, more flexible model.
- Speed and Consistency: While it produces good power for mid-distance looping and attacking, it is not considered an overly fast or explosive blade. It lacks a strong catapult effect, allowing players to dictate the pace of the rally. It maintains consistent performance, though its output is notably sensitive to the specific type of rubber paired with it.
- Versatility: The blade is suitable for two-winged looping, counter-hitting, and aggressive pushing. While some users find it effective for chopping due to its dwell time and touch, its offensive-oriented core and springiness may require adjustment for defensive-minded players.
Physical Features
- Construction: All-wood, utilizing a cork core which contributes to its light weight and unique vibration profile.
- Handle and Finish: The handle is frequently described as slim or thin, which may require the use of grip tape or customization for players with larger hands. The blade edges may arrive unfinished or slightly rough, though the surface is easily sanded.
- Form Factor: It is an oversized blade, which may influence the overall weight of the setup when paired with heavy rubbers and can necessitate custom-cut rubber sheets.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — November 2019
Recently bought this blade. Very flexible and definitely produces variations. It requires medium hard to play decently. The blade quality is acceptable for the price; it is a cheap intermediate blade.
The ball doesn’t bounce more than 2 or 3 times on the blade, giving it a dead feeling, probably due to the cork core. So this might work for modern defenders. With rubbers, the ball bounces less with a soft touch but skyrockets with even a little harder touch.
Update: After 4 years of getting this blade on Amazon.in, I can’t find this blade for sale; very high demand but no supply. Mid-Hard and Super-Soft rubbers work like magic on this blade. Very hard rubbers are “unpredictable”…. You want deception, you want touch play, you want super-spinny surprise loops, extra deep-cut, short drop shot / heavy-cut, but don’t expect to smash to the heavens though. I haven’t tried Pips-Out rubbers on this yet…I suspect it will work out great: -D Maybe I will update about more things later on. On/Off I play on a very casual level with this blade, but it produces results like anything!
#2 — August 2017
People say that the handle is narrow, but mine isn’t. Maybe they have changed it to a Stiga Semi Legend type handle. I attached a Hurricane 3 Neo rubber and a Friendship 802-40 Red rubber to the blade. It has a lot of dwell time and a nice feel. It is a fast and aesthetically pleasing blade. I will provide more impressions soon.
Update No. 1: I replaced the medium pips with Boost TS, a very soft sponge tensor. The hard top veneer helps the ball sink deep into the Boost’s sponge, absorbing the incoming spin at the right angle. It is a good combination. I then replaced it with a 729-5 rubber. The speed is now reduced, but the control is a little better.
Overall, it is an easy blade to use that matches well with different types of rubbers. Weight is always an issue with this blade, so be careful if you decide to use heavy rubbers like Hurricanes and Skylines.
#3 — March 2017
Unfortunately, the wood layer peeled off when trying to remove my old rubbers. This was not something that I expected. I liked the blade, but this is just not okay….
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