Stiga Maplewood NCT V

It is a dream for counter looping. It has an insane amount of gears, which makes you unpredictable on the one hand but makes it hard for you to pick the right strike on the other. Very flexible and soft, so you have a great feeling of the ball. Speed and spin are nothing too special, but the feeling is what it excels at.

I have been playing with this blade for two years now. The conical handle fills my palm better compared to the slightly thinner anatomic handle, but both feel great. I have used Hurricane 3 Neo 41 degrees and Yinhe Mercury 2 medium hard on my FH, Stiga Genesis M in my BH, and they all suit this blade perfectly. Now I understand why the Chinese prefer hard, tacky rubbers on flexible blades. Hard rubber means high control. The flexibility of the blade compensates for the lack of speed of the hard rubber, increases the dwell time, and helps generate tremendous spin.

Top 5 All-Time Table Tennis Blades

1. Butterfly Timo Boll ALC

The Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is a classic blade that has been used by top players for years. It’s a well-balanced blade that provides excellent control and power. The ALC carbon fiber layers give it a crisp feel and a bit more power than the standard Timo Boll blade.

2. Mizuno Forza Carbon Pro

The Mizuno Forza Carbon Pro is a relatively new blade, but it has quickly become a favorite among top players. It’s a lightweight blade with a large sweet spot that makes it easy to control. The carbon fiber layers give it a bit more power than the standard Forza Pro blade, making it a good choice for aggressive players.

3. Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black

The Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black is a blade that is designed for power hitters. It has a thick core and a stiff outer layer that gives it a very hard feel. This blade is not for everyone, but it can be deadly in the hands of a powerful player.

4. Zhang Jike ALC

The Zhang Jike ALC is a blade that is used by the Chinese superstar Zhang Jike. It’s a fast and powerful blade that is perfect for aggressive players. The ALC carbon fiber layers give it a crisp feel and a bit more power than the standard Zhang Jike blade.

5. Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon

The Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon is a blade that is designed for control players. It has a soft feel and a large sweet spot that makes it easy to place the ball where you want it. This blade is not as powerful as some of the others on this list, but it’s a great choice for players who value control over power.

Stiga indeed delivered on their promise of a long trajectory for this blade. Compared to other brands, you’ll immediately notice how shots tend to drift towards the end of the table. Despite its stiffness and minimal flex, the blade falls within the medium hardness range, allowing it to pair well with hard rubbers.

While some have mentioned concerns about its weight, my FL-handled blade is surprisingly lightweight. Its standout features are its exceptional trajectory and control. In terms of speed, it trails carbon blades by only a slight margin. Considering it’s a 5-ply wood blade, its speed is remarkable.

Overall, this blade is a worthy consideration if you seek an offensive pure wood option.

UPDATE 09/27/18: After extensive playtime with both Maplewood V and Stiga Infinity, I’ve noted their similarities in speed. Infinity offers marginally less vibration and increased stiffness. Maplewood V, on the other hand, has a slightly more flexible and softer feel. Overall, if you’re familiar with Infinity, you’ll likely adapt easily to Maplewood V. It provides a softer touch with slightly enhanced speed.

I use Hurricane 3 on the forehand and AK47 Hard on the backhand. It is great for looping, and it’s easy to lift heavy underspin while looping. It’s not super fast, but it’s easy to do counter-spin. Hard, tacky rubber on the forehand is this blade’s soulmate, because this blade has a soft feeling like a defensive wood blade, but it is an offensive one.

Cons: It’s not easy to glue rubber onto it.

Good blade, even better than the Ebonholz 5. Maple wood provides more control, unlike the Ebonholz 5 which is jumpy. The trajectory is nice when looping. Overall, it’s a well-made blade.

I used this blade with Tenergy80fx on the FH side and Airoc astro S 18 mm on the BH side. This blade is soft and has good control, but it can be fast when you give it more power to hit the ball. The blade is not stiff, but due to its flexibility, it generates a catapult effect when you give it more power. It is very good for blocking and topspin because it has a long dwelling time and is very nice to use for mid-distance play. I play better with this blade than I have before.

A looper’s dream come true. It offers a long trajectory and remarkable control. Not to mention, it boasts an incredibly beautiful appearance and produces an awe-inspiring sound. It has earned a spot among the top three on my list, despite having tried 41 blades over the past four years. This blade is definitely a keeper!

Fantastic blade, which offers a great balance of speed and control. The blade is well-suited for players of all levels, from beginners to advanced players. It is relatively lightweight, making it easy to maneuver, and the handle is comfortable to grip. The blade also has a good amount of flex, which allows for precise control and spin. Overall, this is a great blade for players who are looking for a versatile blade that can be used for a variety of playing styles.