Stiga Celero

I have tried many allwood blades because I have always believed that they offer a better feeling. This is my current blade, paired with Rakza 7 and Mantra M rubbers. Looping, smashing, blocking, and flicking are all very satisfying shots with this combination. The blade weighs 90 grams, which feels perfect for looping and smashing.

The head size and shape of the Celero blade are similar to the Viscaria. It is easy to switch rubbers between the Celero and Viscaria.

The blade consists of five layers of wood: Limba, an unknown dark wood, and Ayous.

The Celero blade has a crisp feeling, similar to Koto, and is thin and flexible. A flexible blade requires careful blocking against fast topspins. It is easier to counter with a short topspin or drive than a plain block. Due to its flexibility, incoming topspin balls tend to shoot high off the blade, but blocking medium topspin balls is effective.

The Celero blade offers excellent control, allowing for precise spin adjustments, overpowering of strong shots, and slowing down of play. It excels at slow loops, backspin, flicks, and topspins. Flat hitting is not a recommended strength for this blade; consider a stiffer option for better results. The Celero is primarily designed for looping.

The throw angle is slightly above medium. Brushing creates a medium-high arc that lands on the table with a noticeable forward kick. This forward kick is a key element, and aggressive looping increases the likelihood of placing the ball on the table. The Celero requires significant force to perform at its best, and the harder the ball is hit, the more the center area of the blade bends and grips the ball.

The Celero is an OFF- blade, slower than the Korbel, Primorac (5 ply), and Ebenholz V. It is recommended to select a blade weighing 87g or more, with 87-90g being ideal. Hard-hitting shots should be brushed rather than flat-hit. For increased speed, adjust the contact point towards the top third of the blade. This will allow the blade to flex and generate more speed.

The optimal playing distance for the Celero is between 1m and 1.5m from the table. Playing at distances of 2.5-3m can be challenging.

Avoid soft rubbers on the Celero. Hard rubbers complement its flexibility. Unboosted Chinese rubbers may be viable for strong players. Boosted Hurricane 3, 8, NEO, and similar rubbers perform well. STN rubbers also work effectively. Linear rubbers with a lively character can enhance the performance of this blade.

The Stiga Celero Wood is a moderate offensive 5-ply blade. It’s available with four different handles.

The review describes a table tennis blade that provides slightly more stiffness than an acoustic blade, making it suitable for the modern plastic ball. It features excellent control but lacks significant power, which can be advantageous for players who wish to enhance their technique. Pairing the blade with high-quality rubbers such as MXP will enhance its performance.

Strange but I like it. The blade is slow like an offensive minus on usual shots, but it becomes exceptionally fast on faster swings. On the higher speed, it is not as fast as Timo Boll ZLC but is still surprisingly fast and very controllable. Both loops and smashes can be executed comfortably.

This blade definitely needs some “tuning” when you get it, meaning that I had to sand the wings and handle pretty considerably to make it comfortable.

After playing with the Stiga Allround Classic, this blade is a definite upgrade. I played it with Hurricane 8 rubbers which worked well for me, but keep in mind that you’ll need to use your own strength quite a bit, although it does give a lot back in return. Minor adjustments to the phrasing may be necessary.

This new model from Stiga is rated OFF-. Its factory finish has improved, but some light sanding around the handle and lower wings is recommended for a broken-in feel. The new lens and bottom logo enhance the blade’s aesthetics.

It’s well-suited for all-around loopers in the close to mid-range. While not a power blade for off-table play, it excels in the short game with a medium sweet spot. Comparable to a slightly slower BTY Korbel or a heavier BTY Primorac, the Celero has a more comfortable FL handle.

The Celero offers a balanced combination of power and control for all-around play. Its attractive wood selection and handle design complement its performance. With a weight range of 84gr-88gr, it caters to a wide range of players, excluding top professionals or pure power hitters.

The limba outer ply provides excellent spin for topspin players. Its overall quality, performance, and price point make it a standout choice in its class. It earns an overall Grade A score and is ideal for players from intermediate level to 2000.

Compared to the OC CR, the Celero has slightly more flex and vibration but delivers less pips-friendliness due to its softer feel. Pairing it with Chinese rubber creates an effective looping setup.

I think it’s a pretty good blade with much control. To add speed, you need harder rubbers. It’s a very good combo.

Very nice looking blade that offers superb control but only moderate speed. If you are about control and placement above all else then this would be a great choice.

In my humble opinion (IMHO), not enough speed for offensive players looking to hit winners. I much prefer my Yasaka Goiabao 5 as an attacking weapon, but that’s because I’m an attacking player.