Victas Koji Matsushita

Best chopping blade! Great feeling, soft but solid. It’s very flexible, which allows you to put a lot of spin but can be tricky in hard offensive shots.

The blade has a superb finish. It’s surprisingly fast for a defensive blade when used with all-round rubbers.

However, the handle is too small and short for large hands.

Unless you use thin sponges or ox, the set-up is head heavy because of the larger head size.

I love the craftsmanship, but I would only bring it back to use if I decide to persevere with pips out.

The numbers above don’t accurately describe this racket when paired with rubbers, MXP 1.7mm, and TSP P4 .6mm.

This is my spare racket. I let my friends play with my Viscaria when they come over, and I have started working my way through lower players in my club with this racket.

Compared to an offense set-up, I have to be careful that the increased dwell time means I need to sharpen the angle of attack, or I will lift the ball over the table. I’m fine with that. Having played with fast set-ups from my introduction to table tennis, MXP, and the VKM blade are really nice because I don’t have to swing with caution. Hitting ripping counterloops is very easy (on the Viscaria, I would call them counterhit/counterdrive’s).

I think it is very important to understand that speed is a myth. It should be called dwell time. Counterhitting, blocking, chopping, and looping are all very simple with the VKM, and I focus on attack by twiddling to keep spin in the game. Willow is a special wood that deserves research from every player.

Yes, long pips will get you wins early, but it may crutch your game so that you never develop a backhand (I’ve seen players never develop their forehand also). So more than anything, I say don’t use long pips till you hit a 5-year glass ceiling as an offensive player. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t use the VKM blade! It’s probably my favorite racket I own (and I own 14), but it’s not my main gun. So there is that…

Beautiful, responsive, fast or slow if you want it, this blade is like an extension of your body.

This is a premium defense blade from Victas. The package and construction are high quality, making it a durable choice for any defender. It offers great balance and a comfortable handle.

As an amateur, I tested the blade with long pips on the backhand. It provides excellent dwell time, allowing for spinny and controlled chops. The blade performs well from mid to long distance, making it ideal for chopping.

Surprisingly, the forehand also works effectively with this blade. I tried Dignis 09c and 729 Battle 2, and both performed well for attacking. However, it requires active play, and I believe it’s best suited for a combination of chopping, topspin, and footwork. For blocking and close-to-table play, there may be more suitable options available.