Yasaka Gatien Extra

Review of Donic Barxter

The Donic Baxter is a table tennis blade that is perfect for those of you who are looking for a balanced blade that can do it all. This blade is made from seven layers of wood, including kiri, limba and spruce. The result is a blade that is both lightweight and sturdy, so you can play your best without getting tired. The Donic Baxter is also equipped with a carbon layer that helps to increase the power and speed of your shots.

The Donic Baxter is a versatile blade that can be used by players of all levels. However, it is especially well-suited for those of you who are looking for a blade that can provide good control and accuracy. The blade’s seven-layer construction provides a good level of feel, so you can always be in control of your shots. The carbon layer also helps to increase the blade’s power and speed, so you can put away your opponents with ease.

Overall, the Donic Baxter is a great choice for those of you who are looking for a balanced blade that can do it all. This blade is perfect for players of all levels, and it is sure to help you take your game to the next level.

Control

The blade has exceptional control, allowing for precise shot placement and consistency. Its well-balanced design provides stability and accuracy, enabling players to execute controlled loops, blocks, and drives with ease. The blade’s ample dwell time allows for a clean contact point with the ball, resulting in increased spin potential.

Spin

The blade’s high spin capability is another standout feature. Its tacky surface generates a significant amount of friction, which enhances ball grip and allows players to impart heavy topspin and sidespin on their shots. This attribute makes the blade ideal for players who rely on spin-heavy techniques to create unpredictable trajectories and outmaneuver opponents.

I recently purchased the Yasaka Extra. It is no longer referred to as Gatien and I believe it is distinct from the reviews posted here. My blade weighs 90 grams, is classified as off-, and is considerably stiffer than I anticipated.

When hitting slowly, it has a pleasant, soft feel. As you strike harder, you can sense a noticeable shift; it becomes significantly stiffer, making loops and brush loops somewhat more challenging. It is even stiffer than its Chinese counterpart, the Galaxy W-6.

While I appreciate the increased speed, I primarily purchased this blade because I sought a flexible, soft, and controllable wood with some bite, as described in the reviews. However, it fails to deliver on this expectation. It resembles a stiff blade with a soft touch, similar to many other models.

Another drawback is its low throw. Upon replacing the W-6 with the Yasaka Extra while using the same rubbers, 80% of my shots ended up in the net. I am still struggling to adapt to this blade, and it has been an unpleasant surprise.

To ayoushinoki: Yes, the only blade available in the store is the one with the Yasaka metal tag on the handle end and JTTAA chop. However, it is not an exceptional blade. In fact, the Galaxy copy, the W-5, is significantly superior.

Very nice blade. Good for blocking. For recreational play, no need for a better blade.

Reviewed with Friendship Cream Transcend 2.0mm rubbers.

This blade prioritizes control. It’s a light all+ 5-ply wood blade (anegre-limba-ayous-limba-anegre). While vibrations are present, they serve as positive feedback. It’s an excellent choice for beginners and amateur players.

Some may claim it’s too slow, but it’s not if you know how to hit hard and correctly. This blade allows you to gauge your skill level as it won’t compensate for your shortcomings.

Pairing it with Friendship Cream or 729-5 results in a cost-effective and serious paddle. Don’t waste money on more expensive options like Timo Boll Spirit and Tenergy, as you may not require them. There’s great value to be found in inexpensive blades and rubbers.

An update… Yes, it is true… I have two YE blades. One is softer, being all-around in character. It plays pleasantly, loops effortlessly, and offers superb consistency. The soft feel is nearly addictive! Power is effortlessly generated when combined with tensors.

The second blade has a Yasaka metal tag on the handle end, denoting JTTAA approval. This one feels stiffer. Its throw is distinct, straighter, and not as consistent, even when using the same set of rubbers. I am not fond of this one.

This was my first blade, and it was great! I used the MK V 2.00mm on both sides, and it is definitely a great blade.

The blade has very good control, allowing for precise placement of shots. Its speed is average, making it suitable for both offensive and defensive play. Overall, it is a good blade for players of all levels.

I do not recommend this blade as a first blade. Although it offers forgiveness, superb control, and great dwell, there are side-effects for beginners.

The rampant idea that Yinhe Earth (YE) is an ideal first blade may stem from the speed-glue or small ball eras. However, in the current era of no-VOC glue and big balls, this blade is noticeably slow.

If you insist on using YE for practice, avoid pairing it with hard and tacky Chinese rubbers. It will absorb your strength and punish you, even if your mechanics are correct. Furthermore, the softness of YE makes it challenging to penetrate harder rubbers. I encountered this issue with Mark V, which is often considered a classic pairing. Later, when I became a better player and used Mark V with stiffer blades, I realized how soft YE truly is. Since then, I have developed a new appreciation for those who have the necessary power to enjoy YE.

I agree with most of the praises from other reviews, but one aspect is often overlooked. If you lack sufficient skill, the advantages of YE may not translate into tangible results in competition, which can hinder your sense of achievement.

A stiff blade can create a false sense of achievement and encourage a lazy playing style. However, excessive softness is also undesirable, as it can make it difficult to differentiate between proper and incorrect technique. This is especially crucial for self-taught players. Therefore, I have no qualms recommending YE for recreational use or under the guidance of a personal coach.

One of the “punishing effects” of YE is its poor performance in passive blocks compared to stiffer blades. This is because passive blocks require a blade that responds effectively to the ball without requiring additional effort. YE’s significant flex makes the ball unstable, increasing the risk of landing the ball in the net or an undesirable location. This fact often surprises those who assume that good control equates to good defense.

Some argue that YE helps develop strength, which is true. However, I question the belief that YE’s weakness is necessary to build good strength habits. A blade that is not excessively fast and provides feedback on proper technique is sufficient. Numerous blades surpass YE in this regard. Ultimately, whether or not YE prevents you from developing a lazy playing style is a personal decision.

Given that YE excels in “recalibration” and self-inspection, I suggest keeping it on hand and alternating its use with a stronger primary blade. This will allow you to periodically reassess your technique and identify areas for improvement.

Very lightweight and extremely well-balanced. I just re-discovered this blade after four years. I wish I’d never changed it.

Absolute recommendation for recreational players.

It is fast enough to provide a thrilling experience, while maintaining great control that enables precise shots. The blade is not too heavy, ensuring comfort and maneuverability during gameplay. Its ergonomic design feels great in your hand, inspiring confidence and a sense of control. With this blade, you’ll feel like you can conquer any challenge at the table.

My search for the perfect blade is finally over; this is the one that ticks all the boxes for me.

I enjoy the Yasaka Extra because it is neutral. Its weight and balance feel just right. Transitioning from forehand to backhand is speedy and natural. It plays soft shots well, without being too bouncy.

This blade provides exceptional control, offering a balanced playing experience that prioritizes accuracy over raw speed. It enables players to maintain the ball on the table with great precision. I discovered the remarkable level of control when I attempted to transition to a different blade that claimed to offer superior control. However, after several hours of gameplay, I swiftly returned to this blade, recognizing its exceptional handling capabilities.

This is an excellent blade, particularly in the penhold version, which is the best I have ever used. It offers superb control, especially when combined with quality rubbers. It is highly recommended for players who are new to table tennis, as it provides great stability and enables effective play on the table. Additionally, its Swedish origin makes it a great value for money option.

Very nice blade with good control. It is always recommended to practice the basic power usings and moves with YE!

Yasaka Extra FL. Truly a marvel of a blade. Very, very controllable and with great touch. It adapts excellently well to the latest generation rubbers such as Yasaka Xtend HS FH and Donic JO Platin BH. I have had this combination for three months and I have had an 80% performance. The best thing about this blade is its exquisite touch and sound, besides being very light and comfortable. It performs very well in continuous attacks with an amazing placement of loops and winning topspins. You can go from a lightning attack to a very rapid defensive game. It allows you to make more effect shots than with a stiffer blade. The serves can be very varied due to the ductility of the wood, making all kinds of curves with great comfort. But the most brilliant thing about this blade is the active defense or counterattack, that’s where this blade gets the best of itself. As a previous comment says, with this blade you go back to the future “Back to the Future”. I have used lots of 7-ply blades, carbon, graphite, aluminum, titanium, but this simple, humble, and economical 5-ply wood can achieve everything that your mind and arm propose!!! Don’t waste your money!!!

Classic 5-ply wood. I like the soft feel a lot. Speed might be slow for some, but at my level, it’s fast enough. Don’t pair it with soft sponge rubbers, or it’ll feel kind of mushy.

I use it with a medium-tacky rubber with a medium-hard sponge, and it feels perfect. The control is good over the table, and I can swing hard away from the table and still hit.

Blade Review

This is a fantastic blade with excellent control. It is also very affordable, yet provides incredible power when paired with Coppa JO Platin FH and Yasaka Xtend HS FH rubbers. The blade may require slight adjustments to suit individual preferences.

Amazing blade. Anyone who says it is slow just doesn’t hit hard enough. It has a great speed/control ratio. You get out what you put in.

It is an all-defensive blade with low speed.

Smooth Balance

I just recently switched to this blade from stiff Carbon and Titanium type blades. I really wanted to get back the control I lost with 7/9 ply composites, and feel like I’m playing much better. This blade doesn’t play very fast on its own, but if you combine it with fast/sticky rubbers, you can create some unique loop patterns and generate only the speed that YOU put forth. It’s got a great impact feel, and it’s light-weight is great for transitioning and pendulum service style.

Okay, I will do my best to review this blade without bias, because I really ended up not liking the Yasaka Gatien Extra.

You have to understand first that I almost only use carbon fiber blades (or Arylate/Carbon and the like); therefore, I don’t usually take all that well to all-wood blades.

At first, I really, really, REALLY liked this blade. I used it with two Yasaka Mark V rubbers. It had very good control above everything else, and it really helped bring my game up. BUT it does not have the large sweet spot like most carbon blades offer. I will say though that Yasaka Gatien Extra does have VERY good feedback vibration, but I prefer a harder feel.

I guess it really just depends on your game because most people I find really like this blade. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s great, too… a classic in fact, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to explore different blades, wants to develop a style for the first time, or has a less aggressive completely balanced style with little emphasis on speed and spin and more emphasis on control (which is honestly outstanding). I guess, regrettably, it just didn’t fit my game.

A good friend and former trainer of mine advised me that for the Yasaka Mark V rubbers I was using at the time, I ought to use a more offensive and faster blade with a harder feel to gain full appreciation of the rubbers, and HE WAS RIGHT. I used Mark V with the fastest Butterfly blade yet, the Boll TriCarbon, and the Mark V played just perfectly.

In conclusion, Yasaka Gatien Extra wasn’t for me, but I still think it’s a high-quality blade that would be perfect for some, although not for others.

I had been trying the new post SG ban sheets on several composite blades; Tenergy was great on the Chuan Senso, Boost TC was pretty good on the T-4, and Platin was alright on all my composite blades, but nothing special really.

This blade is a classic. It serves as a reliable indicator of your abilities. The blade has a strong grip on the ball, allowing for exceptional spin and kick.

Light weight and very good grip. Suitable for good amateurs and semi-pros.

2 of the best blades for looping of all time. The other one is Stiga OC.

This is a very sensitive blade. Different rubbers on this blade can be very different.

If you use Chinese sticky rubber, it can be a looping machine and very spinny but very hard to block.

Maybe you will say this is an all-around/slow blade, which it is. But if you are good at looping, the speed is still OK and very accurate.

The handle’s design is thin and long, so it is very good for learning RPB.