Stiga Carbonado 290

Incredible if you like it stiff. I paired it with DNA Platinum XH on forehand and M on backhand in max thickness.

Great at everything if you like your blades rock hard and know how to handle the power.

That being said, it’s not easy to do that consistently with my technique over longer rallies, so look to finish the point fast with this one.

It wants to be played extremely aggressively; that’s where it shines.

Totally love this blade, a clear winner for fast-paced players.

Next to the Primorac Carbon, it’s the most dense blade on the planet. You can’t get much stiffer than this unless you have one made by hand.

Very fast blade with a soft (outer) feeling, like slippers! High-frequency wavelength…one of my fastest blades. Paired with Andro R42 2mm, it produces powerful smashes, very good spin, and a low throw angle. It offers good control in the short game and is effortless at mid-distance. However, it is a heavy blade (95g). It is also excellent in defense.

I am now using the 290. I used the XVT ZLC Koto before with different, faster rubbers like the R47. Now with a soft, very spinny, and slower rubber, the Donic Barracuda, the 290 is my best choice. The Barracuda has a very high throw, and the 290 seems low-throwing and stiff. I like playing close to the table and love the backhand flick with this setup.

I switch from DHS301 (Cpen). FH Xiom Vega X, BH Xiom Omega 7.

After 2 weeks of playing, I slowly understand the blade. It is very fast and able to produce sharp hit. Near to mid-table is very great. You need a good agility body to pair with the blade.

I would say this blade is suitable with hard sponge rubber in order to produce better strokes. The harder you hit, the higher quality it is.

Simply the best blade I have used. As with most things, different strokes work for different folks, but as far as feel, flexibility (number of gears), spin, and control are concerned, the Carbonado 290 ticks every box—and then some.

This is my new setup after a 2.5 year break from table tennis. This review highlights the changes I’ve noticed from my previous setup. My old racket consisted of the Primorac EX with Hurricane 8 Mid on forehand and Tenergy 80 on backhand. This blade has Hurricane 8 Mid on the forehand and Stiga Mantra M on the backhand.

The most obvious difference was how direct and linear the ball would come off the racket. Topspin to topspin rallies were very close to the net, and looping backspin required a more vertical stroke, especially on the forehand side. Since I am still out of practice, I needed to make more adjustments in my strokes to get the ball consistently on the table. The shots that did make it were very spinny and fast, thanks to the carbon.

Service was easy, and the blade performed well in the short game. Blocks were also returned with a lot of speed but require a lot of feeling, which I thought the blade provided, to get the ball over the net. Compared to the Primorac EX, forehand was definitely a lot faster and spinnier, even though my technique is not as polished. The Primorac EX does offer more feeling and control, though, having a softer outer layer, and I vary the ball placement better.

Backhand, the Carbonado 290 is faster and has a stronger punch, even though I did not use Tenergy 80 again. I am quite pleased with this new setup and will use it for the foreseeable future. Likasumbooty so fas, so stronk, I duh totally recommend.

I’ve used some excellent blades in the past, like the Killerspin RTG Kido 7P Premium, Yasaka Dynamix 17, and Yasaka Max Carbon 3D. However, I can confidently say that the Stiga Carbonado 290 surpasses them all.

Its weight is manageable, the build quality is exceptional, and the speed it generates is astonishing. The control is also impressive, giving you a consistent feel when striking the ball. This blade is particularly effective for blocking.

Rated as OFF+, it’s designed for fast kills, flicks, and smashes. However, its versatility extends beyond offensive play. The thick carbon layers provide an enhanced feel compared to similar blades, while the stiffness and hardness create a satisfying sound upon impact.

The only drawback is the price, which may deter some enthusiasts. However, if cost is the only obstacle, I strongly encourage you to consider the Stiga Carbonado 290. Its exceptional qualities make it worth every penny.

While its intended use is for offensive play, I believe it can also excel in All-Around or Defensive playing styles.

I was going to purchase a Butterfly carbon blade, but I changed my mind due to the price and decided on this blade. I’ve only had one session with it, so it’s too early to give a complete evaluation. However, here are my first impressions (FH: Tenergy 05 2.0mm and BH: Andro HEXER HD 1.9mm).

Positive Points:

1. Speed: The blade is noticeably fast. 2. Blocking: The blocking is exceptional. 3. Attacking and Smashing: The blade performs well in these areas. 4. Chopping: The blade also handles chopping effectively. 5. Quality and Finishing: The blade is well-made with a nice finish.

Negative Points:

1. Feel: The blade feels very stiff to me, even though I’m used to playing with the stiff Butterfly Gergely blade. 2. Control: Control is average. Straight shots are fairly precise, but more focus is required when handling spin. 3. Angle: The through angle is low, so care must be taken to avoid the net. Conversely, the ball can also be hit long due to the high speed. 4. Drive and Loops: These shots require significant effort and focus to execute successfully (this may not apply to players with advanced skills).

Conclusion:

As I mentioned, one session is not enough to rate this blade accurately. It’s possible that my expectations were too high, or I need to give the blade more time to prove itself.

Recommendation:

I believe that softer rubbers may work better with this blade.