Stiga Ebenholz NCT V (5)

Having played almost the full spectrum of all-wood and carbon blades, Ebenholz still surprised me with its near-perfect balance of speed, spin, and control. When it comes to speed, it doesn’t feel like an all-wood blade at all, while one cannot ask for better spin and control at that speed. I pair it with Nittaku Hurricane 3 Pro Orange sponge on the forehand and Nittaku FastArc P-1 on the backhand. It works perfectly for me.

This is a good and solid off blade with the crappiest craftsmanship you can buy for 100 bucks. The Ebenholz layer on the forehand is made of three pieces. The handle detached after two months.

This blade has excellent playing abilities, which I liked. However, there are many equivalent blades for the same price with better building quality.

This blade excels in providing both speed and power, while maintaining excellent control and balance. Despite its lightweight (mine weighs 88 grams), it offers exceptional stability. I’ve equipped it with H3 Neo on the forehand and Xiom Vega Pro on the backhand, which has enhanced my ball feel and increased my confidence in executing all types of strokes, including delicate touch shots. The blade is particularly impressive for looping and topspin strokes, generating immense speed and spin. I highly recommend it for players who seek a harmonious balance of power and control.

The famous blade is made of high-quality wood, but it can be challenging to control during short games due to its sudden bounce, resulting in the ball popping up unexpectedly. This is likely caused by the blade’s hard outer ebony ply, which makes the bounce unpredictable and annoying. However, with practice, players can learn to control this aspect of the blade.

The blade excels in pure spin attack offensive play, allowing for excellent looping on the forehand. However, looping on the backhand requires more effort to achieve the same level of control and may require highly skilled hands to master.

Another blade, way too underrated, possibly even neglected, is not really for backhand drives. However, it excels in looping and everything on the forehand.

Counterattacks are outstanding, blocking and smashing are equally impressive. Due to its exceptional touch, lobbing can be performed effortlessly, boasting freakishly precise placement.

I opted for the Legend handle version, which is by far the most comfortable handle I’ve had in the last 3 decades of playing.

Aesthetically pleasing, the occasional re-gluing with complimentary chalk feels like a birthday present — you’ll never have to worry about separating the layers. The seal it comes with is truly exceptional, whether you’re replacing rubbers or touching up during gameplay.

Among the very best all-wood blades available, it’s priced very reasonably.

This blade is ideal for loopers on both the forehand and backhand.

A key feature of this blade is its rare combination of speed and high throw.

Caution: It is highly flexible, which may present difficulties for backhand drivers. It is primarily designed for backhand loopers. However, you can mitigate this issue to some extent by using a low-throw rubber like Coppa X2.

The flexibility of Stiga blades varies significantly depending on the handle. This review focuses on the Master handle (concave small). A straight handle typically makes the blade stiffer.

Hardness: Ebony has the perfect hardness for modern table tennis, being softer than Koto but harder than Limba (and harder than CR-Limba).

This blade shares similarities with the Stiga Offensive CR but offers both higher speed and throw. It also provides greater consistency and reliability, leading to improved control. The higher price is justified by these superior qualities.

Its thickness is identical to the Offensive CR, measuring 5.4 mm (note that Stiga blades may vary in thickness).

Speed: Approaching Off+, it is faster than Clipper Wood and Offensive CR but slower than Clipper CR.

The touch of this blade is exceptional but challenging to articulate.

There are clones available, such as HRT Ebenholz V, but they differ significantly, being harder and offering a lower throw.

It pairs well with M2 on the backhand. For the forehand, consider rubbers like T05, Evolution MX-P, or even M2 if you prefer medium-hard rubbers.

Very good balance between control, speed, and hardness.

Blade ini sangat lentur, seperti ada senarnya yang membuatnya dapat menggesek bola dengan lebih baik. Hal ini menghasilkan putaran keras dan mematikan yang luar biasa.

I still have my 93gr modified Cpen, which needs to be paired with super light rubbers. It’s a great blade with lots of power and touch, though it may be a bit overpriced. It’s also very good at blocking.

The blade is an excellent all-round control blade for players seeking extended rallies. However, it also has the capability to execute powerful shots effectively. Adjustments to the phrasing may be necessary for optimal clarity.

This blade is very fast, yet it also offers good control. As a result, you can produce a lot of spin. For offensive players with good technique, this blade is perfect!