Stiga Energy WRB

Weight 79g. Nice wooden blade. It is perfect to move forward to after a slower ordinary all-around blade. It offers terrific control and is quite fast.

This blade is rated as off- or all+. It was used by Chen Qi in the early 2000s before the speed glue ban. It provides excellent control and feel, allowing you to precisely sense the ball’s movement.

While it’s not notably fast, pairing it with faster rubbers enhances its offense. Beginners and intermediate players can effectively execute put-away shots with this combination. However, players with a USATT rating of 1900 or higher may find the blade too slow. Nonetheless, skilled players can still utilize it at a high level.

The blade’s quality control has been inconsistent. Older versions tend to perform better than newer ones. Additionally, the blade requires sealing to prevent splintering. To optimize performance, choose a blade weighing over 90 grams. The added weight enhances its speed and overall playability.

This blade excels in control, making it suitable for players of all skill levels up to the 1800 range. Beyond that, players may consider switching to a different blade.

Constructed with a 5-ply composition, the blade features limba on the outer layer and ayous in the second and core layers. Its flexible nature makes it ideal for looping.

Pairing the blade with medium to hard rubbers is recommended. Soft rubbers are not compatible with this blade. Choose wisely to complement your style and level of play.

Best blade for beginners: This blade is ideal for beginners due to its balanced combination of speed and control, making it easy to learn the basics of table tennis.

Medium sponge best combo: For an optimal balance of speed and control, a medium sponge is recommended. This will provide enough power for attacking shots while still maintaining good control.

Excellent control, block, and spin make this blade ideal for a middle distance game. The vibration is very good. It’s a decent blade for medium speed offensive players. The only negative point is the handle, which is not very smooth.

This OFF- class blade is lightweight and ideal for mid-distance looping. It offers a softer feel at ball impact, providing good dwell time for creating heavy topspin. The speed range is similar to the Offensive Classic Series, but with a softer touch. It is recommended to seal the blade when new and sand the sharp wings where your hand makes contact with the blade face.

The blade pairs well with medium to hard sponge rubbers. While it may lack a bit of crispness for close-to-table play, its short game offers good control. Overall, it is a capable all-round/offensive looping blade. However, the Offensive Classic CR may be a better choice within this class.

The Stiga Energy WRB, a stunning creation by Stiga, offers effortless learning while delivering power for advanced strokes. In combination with Friendship 729 RITC GeoSpin Tacky on both sides, it provides exceptional topspin control and finesse for serving. This blade earns a well-deserved 4.5 stars.

Great in the speedglue era with Hurricane. Not very useful anymore. A whole lot of vibration - is that what you’re looking for?

Pros:

- Very controlled game at the table and more than decent speed from far away. - Excellent blade for Chinese rubbers. I love the combo with DHS H2 Blue sponge and H3 for looping at any distance with great control. - It is light enough to accommodate heavy rubbers. - Legend handle gives the best balance IMO.

Cons:

- WRB (there are some suggestions how to eliminate this by using milled wood and wood glue; however, this may ruin the otherwise excellent balance).

The Stiga Energy WRB is a 5-ply blade composed of limba top-plys, 2 blue-colored ayous secondary plys, and an ayous core. The finish of this blade is a little rough, especially near the wings and handle. The Stiga Energy WRB is advertised as a very light blade due to its special drying process. When I received mine, it came in with a thickness of ~<6mm at 81 grams with a legend handle.