Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon

Little bit harder, stiffer and faster and less vibration (because it doesn’t have hollow handle) than Waldner Senso Ultra Carbon which I’m using right now.

Tried with Vega Europe DF 2.0mm on both sides, found good for mid distance topspin loop play.

Could not be the perfect choice but adaptable for most of the play styles with different choices of rubbers.

This blade has zero control and zero dwell time. It is completely not worth trying out.

I have been testing many blades over the past four years to find the best combination for my modern defender playstyle. I initially intended to purchase the Stiga Classic Allround Carbon, but it was out of stock. As a result, I opted to try the Classic Offensive Carbon instead.

This blade offers incredible control, excellent speed when required, and significant reversal and effects from the pips. I highly recommend this blade to all long pimple players. Paired with Tenergy 05, it becomes an exceptional weapon for my style of play. I can utilize the pips (Dawei 388 D-1) to set up attacks with the inverted side while also effectively countering backspin with the pips.

The Stiga OCC blade is a good option for players who prefer hard rubbers and loopers gameplay. It has a similar feel to the Waldner Senso Carbo blade, but with slightly more elasticity. This blade is not recommended for absolute beginners, but intermediate and advanced players may find it worth a try.

Lightweight, off-speed, rather hard outer and little flexible, because of that this blade has vibration when you hit the ball. Suitable for a spin-oriented player, it can give a maximum effect result for looping style if combined with Chinese rubber such as h3.

This blade is a masterpiece from Stiga, but it took me a year to truly understand its brilliance. Its soft feel and remarkable elasticity are akin to the difference between wooden and carbon fishing spinning rods. Choosing the right rubber is crucial, as it will unlock the blade’s full potential. Though the carbon plies are subtly hidden, they contribute to the blade’s performance.

The sound of the blade’s shots echoes that of the Viscaria Light, and its light weight, large sweet spot, and impressive speed make it ideal for near-table play. The control and accuracy are exceptional, with excellent BH flips, pushes, chops, and loops. Unlike many wood blades, this one does not exhibit any sensation of “elastic cotton.”

Initially, I used Omega IV Euro Max on FH and Vega Asia Max on BH, resulting in a head-heavy and speedy setup. However, I now play with Tibhar EL-S 1.9 on FH and Vega Asia DF 1.8 on BH, which provides a balanced and satisfying experience.

Overall, this blade is good but not suitable for beginners who lack experience in “adjusting” to different blades. My only negative feedback is regarding the “vibration”. Although I’m currently a casual player, I used to be competitive many years ago. While my technique is admittedly rusty, the vibrations produced by this blade are noticeably higher than average, particularly if you prefer to hold the blade less tightly. When receiving fast incoming shots, the vibration tends to cause the blade to “shake”. I recently purchased a better blade, and in comparison, this one has some stability issues.

Okay blade. Very light with a large sweet spot, but way too much vibration and flex for my liking.

Just bought this blade about a month ago. For my offensive play, I have paired it with Donic Acuda S1 Turbo for the red rubber and Yasaka Pryde for the black rubber. With its 7-ply construction, this blade excels in delivering powerful smashes and providing decent control to handle incoming smashes.

Just changed to this after years with the Offensive Classic. A little more aggressive but still great control. Paired with Butterfly Solcion gives great feel and spin.

The blade I received, “Legend” flared, weighs exactly 82 grams as advertised by Stiga. Its finishing is of the highest quality, uncommon for Stiga in recent years, and it looks stunning.

I paired it with Dawei IQUL 40 on the backhand and Nittaku Fastarc G1 on the forehand, occasionally switching sides depending on the game I intend to play (IQUL being slightly slower).

The Original Classic (OC) feel is still present, with added speed and stiffness. With the appropriate rubber selection, OCC becomes a looper’s dream. However, those seeking a lightning-fast, stiff carbon blade should look elsewhere.

In summary, OCC is a control-oriented blade with off-speed, ideal for spin-oriented play, capable in blocking and smashing, slightly faster and stiffer than OC, yet retaining that familiar woody feel we all appreciate.

Update 1: I am genuinely beginning to appreciate this blade. While its overall ratings are not exceptional, it suits me better than any other blade I’ve tried. The ball goes where I intend it to. The flared Legend handle is a joy to use.

Update 2: After four months of gameplay, I must correct a few of my previous observations. With this blade, I find it challenging to smash on the backhand, even after experimenting with different rubbers. I recognize that my technique plays a role, but I do not encounter this issue with less flexible blades. Additionally, this blade definitely has a hollow handle, which transmits vibrations.

Everything else about this blade remains impressive - its control (for both short and long-range shots) and looping capabilities are exceptional.

My blade weighs 90g and has a speed rating that exceeds 8.4/10. Minor adjustments to the wording may be necessary to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

The blade is only slightly faster than my Stiga Offensive Classic WRB blades. However, I am disappointed in the lack of speed so far.

My blade only weighs 76 grams, while my OC WRB weighs 88 grams. This may be contributing to the issue.

I purchased the blade to use a short pip (Pistol) on my backhand. This rubber is also lighter than the Joola Tango I usually use. I use Joola Energy Green on my forehand. Both rubbers are lightweight.

It’s possible that the OC carbon needs heavier rubbers to achieve the speed Stiga rates the blade at.