Friendship/729 F-1

Composite/carbon 5 reviews

Blade description:

The Friendship 729 F-1 table tennis blade is a popular choice among professional and amateur players alike. It is known for its exceptional speed, control, and consistency. Made in China, this blade has a unique composition that includes two plies of carbon, providing it with a stiff and responsive feel.

The 729 F-1 offers excellent speed, with a rating of 89 out of 100. This makes it suitable for aggressive players who prefer fast-paced rallies. The blade's control rating of 65 is also impressive, allowing players to maintain accuracy and precision in their shots.

In terms of stiffness and hardness, the 729 F-1 falls in the medium range, with ratings of 4 and 4.8 respectively. This provides a good balance between power and control, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles. Additionally, the blade's consistency rating of 5 indicates that it offers reliable performance, with minimal variations in shot quality.

The overall rating for the Friendship 729 F-1 is 9 out of 10, making it a highly recommended blade for players of all levels. It weighs approximately 82 grams and has a thickness of 5.7mm. With its 7-ply construction, the blade provides excellent stability and durability.

Based on forum reviews, many players have praised the 729 F-1 for its excellent speed, control, and consistency. They have found it to be a versatile blade that suits a variety of playing styles. However, some reviewers have noted that the blade may be too stiff for some players, and it may require some time to adjust to its unique feel and characteristics.

Overall, the Friendship 729 F-1 is a top-quality table tennis blade that offers exceptional performance and versatility. Its combination of speed, control, and consistency makes it a great choice for players of all skill levels.

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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