Tibhar Samsonov Alpha

Very good blade for beginners. It provides a nice touch, allowing you to learn the basics of table tennis effectively. However, as you progress and develop your skills, you may find that you require a blade with more speed.

Medium feel, decent dwell time, and good for blocking and mid-distance shots. I’ve heard some people say it’s slow, but I disagree. It has serious zip when you put in the effort. It’s not an ALL+ blade as some have claimed; that’s ridiculous. However, I wouldn’t classify it as OFF either. It’s definitely OFF-. I own a Grubba ALL+, which is fast for an ALL+ blade, and this blade is considerably faster and slightly harder. It’s also marginally faster than the Primorac OFF-. The blade head is a bit small, and the flared handle is a little small as well. It’s not suitable for beginners who are trying to develop proper stroke technique because it’s too fast. It’s recommended for advanced beginners, intermediate players, and advanced players.

The stated thickness on here is I think wrong and should be 5.5. It’s stiffer than other blades of this thickness and has more power than some thicker blades, i.e., Primorac. It flexes on harder strokes with a noticeable catapult. The long handle moves the balance towards the handle, which explains the good defensive qualities. Very good for LP blocking with the control of an all-round blade. I couldn’t get as much spin or arc when looping as with my normal high flex Defplay and have just shaved the throat to add more flex, which I will try shortly.

Using this combined with Nimbus Sound (really soft) on FH and Primus on BH.

Blade offers a lot of control and feeling, especially in blocking heavy topspin shots near the table. Speed is decent, but you have to work hard when playing topspin far away from the table.

Overall a nice blade for overall to offensive players.

Would rate it as ALL+.

This is an updated review, after several weeks of playing with the Alpha. Overall a good experience, 9/10.

Power-- I find the Alpha has a good feel, works beautifully for controlled looping, pushing, and brings enough power to stay in rallies with 2100 USTTA players.

Varnish-- While I can’t speak with the voice of an expert, I *think* my blade is varnished with a light polyurethane finish. I like it. That way, I don’t worry about pulling splinters out of the veneer when I take the rubber off.

Control-- I find the blade very easy to control. It’s a bit faster than my Avalox 550 was (an ALL+), and I feel a lot of touch but with less vibration than the Avalox had. The catalogs list the Alpha as an OFF- blade, and that seems accurate to me.

Head size-- I have heard that the new Alphas manufactured starting this year have a normal-sized head. If this is true, mine is clearly not one of these. The head is a few millimeters shorter on every side than my Avalox. It’s even smaller than the Timo Boll ALC head. I prefer this head size, though others may not like it. The smaller head size means less weight, and the balance feels magical to me. I have good hand/eye coordination, so hitting with a smaller surface area is not problematic.

Grip-- I am a grown man and have big hands, and I bought the FL Alpha. Yes, the FL handle is big, but it is a flat oval, narrow when you look at the blade from the edge side. I’m a lefty, and like many sinister, I hold a pronounced palm-on-top SH grip (Google any picture of Mizutani Jun, Timo Boll, or Michael Maze hitting a forehand and look at their grips to see what I’m talking about; the butt of the handle sits in the bottom inside of their hands, less toward the center of the palm, and they hold the bat more with their fingers, less curled into the palm). Also, the handle is LONG, I’d say a half inch longer than most others. I suggest you hold the Alpha before buying. The handle works well for my hands and grip, but others may find it awkward.

Durability-- The only issue I’ve noticed is that my blade seems to be fragile. I’ve bumped it on the table twice in the last two weeks or so. I’m careful with my equipment and didn’t hit it hard, but the first time the spot I bumped just disintegrated, leaving a small divot in the side. The second time, it took a chip the size of a nickel out of the top veneer, which I was able to repair with carpenter wood glue and clamps. This blade seems less sturdy than any I’ve owned. If you’re hard on your equipment, this blade may not last you long.

One of the all-time classic 5-ply looper’s blades, the Sammy Alpha does most things well and pairs with most rubbers. If you want a simple, cheap 5-ply blade, then this is a great choice.

It’s good in most areas, with no obvious issues apart from a lack of speed away from the table. Although it doesn’t excel in any particular way, not having a real weakness is something to celebrate, and makes it better than the sum of its parts.

This year has seen a revised model of the Sammy Alpha, and it has a normal head size. This helps if you’re changing rubbers between blades a lot.

This blade performs well with soft rubbers, as evidenced by its excellent ball feeling when paired with LKT PRO XT. However, it is important to note that its relatively small head size could be a potential drawback. Additionally, while Tihbar Rapid also plays well on this blade (as demonstrated by Vladimir Samsonov’s use in 2007), it may be a bit too fast for some players' preferences.

Good blade for those who want a control-offensive game. I like this blade very much.

This blade excels in topspins and offers a fluid playing experience. It pairs well with soft and fast rubbers. The stiffness of the blade enhances flicks and blocks, making it a rare combination for both excellent looping and blocking capabilities.

However, it slightly lacks power in passive shots away from the table. Nonetheless, power loops away from the table are exceptional. The small head contributes to the blade’s balance, and despite weighing 91g, it feels light and well-balanced. Highly recommended.

Tibhar Samsonov Alpha (Anatomic) Review

The Tibhar Samsonov Alpha (Anatomic) is my third personal paddle, and it surpasses my previous paddles, the Butterfly Addoy and Friendship 729. This paddle offers exceptional control, making it ideal for my defensive playstyle. It excels in blocking, pushing, and driving, and provides acceptable spinning performance.

I have paired my Tibhar Samsonov Alpha (Anatomic) with a Butterfly (Addoy) backhand and Andro (Zenith) forehand. With these pairings, I have found excellent balance and performance in both offensive and defensive strokes.

Very similar to BTY Petr Korbel, the blade features a smaller head. While the ST handle is narrow, it is important to note that when people refer to bulky handles, they are typically referring to the FL handle. Despite its stiffer construction, the blade performs exceptionally well in looping. Although not particularly fast, it provides sufficient power. Additionally, it offers excellent control and feel.

Samsonov Alpha + Torpedo Soft or Mambo H: An excellent combination for topspin players. The blade is lightweight, offering good dwell time and a comfortable level of vibration. It provides decent speed, exceptional blocking capabilities, and precise pushing. The flared handle is ideal for larger hands and ensures a comfortable grip. Despite its impressive performance, the blade’s small head size is a notable drawback.

The Samsonov Alpha blade excels at close to the table play and is suitable for medium range play. It boasts excellent backhand topspins and reasonable smashing power. The blade’s budget-friendly price point adds to its value. While the small head size may compromise certain shots, it remains a solid choice for players seeking a well-rounded blade.