Friendship/729 F-1
Blade description:
This 5+2 construction composite blade is designed for aggressive topspin play. Despite containing carbon layers, the blade is characterized by a relatively thin profile of under 6mm, which facilitates a noticeable degree of flex. This structural composition allows the blade to provide a playing sensation closer to an all-wood blade than a traditional stiff carbon implement, favoring players who prioritize looping and spin generation over pure linear speed.
Playing Characteristics
- Feel and Feedback: The blade offers a pleasant, accurate impact sensation. Due to the thickness of the outer wood veneers, it maintains a woody sound and tactile response during play.
- Stiffness and Flex: Its thin design results in higher flexibility, which enhances spin production and catapult effect during hard-hitting sequences and topspin loops.
- Balance: The blade is noted for being less head-heavy than standard seven-ply wood blades, which supports faster arm speed and allows for easier wrist-flick maneuvers during short-game interactions and over-the-table smashes.
Construction and Quality Considerations
- Build: As a composite blade with 5+2 construction, it balances the stiffness of carbon with the dwell time of a thinner wooden core.
- Craftsmanship: Reports on physical quality are inconsistent. While some users find the blade durable and resistant to table contact, others have noted issues with wood splintering during rubber removal and excessive glue absorption. Players should be prepared for potential surface finishing, such as light sanding or varnishing, to ensure the blade remains in optimal condition for long-term use.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — September 2015
Speed and control ratings I’ve given are arbitrary. The only other blade I tried is a Clipper WRB wood, so I can’t really compare much. I bought the F1 (from Eacheng) because of the straight handle and good price for a carbon blade. It’s easier than the clipper for short games due to it being thinner. Also, with the same rubbers on each blade, the F1 is less head-heavy, so I find it easier to put a lot of wrist flick into shots and faster arm speed on flips and over-table smashes. Getting a second one soon as a spare, so will edit to say if they are the same or any differences between them. No problems so far with splintering when changing rubbers, and pretty tough if hit by the table accidentally. The clipper gets damaged much more easily. No problems with it absorbing glue, as other reviews state. And can’t see how it will change characteristics over time. Slow/fast loops, blocking, serving all good.
#2 — May 2013
This blade is an intriguing 7-ply composite that plays like an all-wood blade. The ball impact sensation is pleasant and accurate.
Measuring less than 6mm thick, the blade offers flexibility that enhances speed and spin on powerful shots and loops. I paired the blade with Donic Barracuda on the forehand and Hexer Duro on the backhand. This setup encourages topspin play.
Despite my limited skills, I sense that this blade has much more potential. It’s a shame that I’m not Wang LiQin!
#3 — July 2012
Speed is probably higher than I rated because I paired it with slow tacky rubbers. Due to the thickness of the outer wood layers, it feels and sounds more like a wooden blade rather than a carbon blade. It excels at starting the initial loop in a rally.
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