Friendship/729 V-5

I’ve been using this blade for well over a year now. It is my first custom setup, and I absolutely love it. Paired with Stiga Calibra Tour M and Stiga Boost TC, it is very light, weighing in at 170 grams.

With the proper timing, I can generate a lot of speed and spin. This blade allows me to execute a wide range of shots, from smashes to short pushes to chops from mid-distance to the table.

The only minor issue I’ve encountered is that the top layer peels slightly when changing rubbers. However, this is a minor inconvenience that does not affect the overall performance of the blade.

Paired with LKT Rapid series (or other almost non-tacky rubbers), it is suitable for all-round to moderate offensive style. The blade feels quite soft with little flex. I believe it’s the carbon that gives it extra high gear at hard hits.

It works best in drives, is good for looping and chopping, and offers a lot of dwell time. It’s not as good for smashes in comparison to completely stiff blades.

It didn’t match DHS H3 Neo or 729 Geospin - the combo felt like a brick, probably because of stiffness.

Overall, it’s a very good all-round to offensive blade to be paired with Chinese euro-like rubbers.