Tibhar Samsonov Pure Wood

Nice ALL+/OFF- 5-ply wood blade. Fairly stiff but with a big head size, so can feel head-heavy with heavier rubbers. The FL handle is chunky and very comfortable.

The outer ply looks to be quite thick ayous. You get a slightly soft feel on thin contacts, but anything more forceful and it feels more medium (somewhere around the limba/koto mark). The best part is the solid feel - this doesn’t feel hollow or cheap like some 5 ply all-woods can.

Although Tibhar calls this an ALL+ blade, it only feels like that in the short game. When hitting harder, it has a good power reserve and becomes OFF- - easily comparable to a BTY Primorac or Samsonov Alpha, for example. It is less flexible than those two though, more linear, and the soft short game feel takes some of the bounciness away. It loses power when away from the table, so you would need a fast rubber there.

The build quality is high with no imperfections anywhere. The black handle lens sticks out a bit, but I don’t notice it personally. The top ply splinters a bit when you do your first rubber removal, so I’d recommend that you seal it.

This blade is a bit slower than others I’ve used in recent years, and I feel my game has improved a lot because of it.

Review:

This blade excels in flat hitting.

As a beginner, I used it with Xiom Vega Europe 2.0 FH and Nittaku Factive 1.8 BH (as recommended by my coach). With this setup, the blade demands effort - it won’t enhance your performance passively. Hard hits are swift, while slow hits maintain their leisurely pace. Spinny shots generate moderate rotation, which translates to adequate serving and looping capabilities. However, for straight smashing or flat hitting, this blade is unparalleled.

Its control is exceptional, allowing precise placement of the ball in short games or when hitting. The straight handle is substantial, fitting comfortably in the hand, and exuding solidity rather than hollowness. It provides satisfying feedback, too. While not excessively vibratory, it communicates when contact with the ball is optimal. Its slight head-light balance suits close-to-the-table hitting and blocking. Note that this blade may not be the ideal choice for beginners seeking a spin-centric playstyle.

Overall, a high-quality blade!