Way back in the late 2000’s, I had been planning to write an article listing recommended table tennis blades for beginners, but one thing you soon learn about ping-pong is that it is almost impossible for one person to keep up with all the equipment on offer!
So I put the question of “What is a good beginner blade?” to the members of the About.com forum, and here is what they came up with.
List Updated: 8th January 2020
Added: Donic Persson Powerplay, Yasaka Sweden Extra, Andro Super Core Cell All+, XIOM Allround S, Sanwei Pro V5, Butterfly Petr Korbel
Removed: Donic Appelgren Allplay, Avalox Blue Thunder 550, Friendship 729 Bomb, Friendship 729 LKT Instinct, Juic Kalinic
1. Butterfly Primorac Blade |
|
|
|
The Butterfly Primorac table tennis blade is often one of the blades recommended to new players when they want to buy their first blade without rubbers. This is because the Primorac blade has good feel and control, without being too fast for players still developing their technique. Generally considered to be a ‘can’t go wrong’ first blade. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Butterfly Primorac Blade? | Buy Online |
2. Donic Persson Power Allround Blade |
|
|
|
This bestselling allround blade from Donic is recommended for its great control, good feel, high build quality and great value. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Donic Persson Power Allround Blade? | Buy Online |
3. Stiga Allround Classic Blade |
|
|
|
Another frequently recommended first blade, the Stiga Allround Classic is considered to be, well, a ‘classic’ beginner blade for over 50 years (the original Allround Classic was released in 1967, apparently!).
Good speed and spin with plenty of vibration to provide feedback on how well the ball has been hit. This has been the first table tennis blade of many high level players, and a number of them have kept using this blade throughout their careers. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Stiga Allround Classic Blade? | Buy Online |
4. Stiga Allround Classic WRB Blade |
|
|
|
The WRB version of the Stiga Allround Classic, where the WRB system reduces weight in the handle to allow the head of the blade to accelerate faster for faster returns, more power, and extra sensitivity and touch.
A very popular blade, which tends to polarize opinions – players either love it or hate it. The type of blade a beginner can buy and use for the rest of his career. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Stiga Allround Classic WRB Blade? | Buy Online |
5. Yasaka Sweden Extra Blade |
|
|
|
This is considered a very versatile allround blade, that can be used with slower or faster rubbers to adjust to the player’s playing style.
With great control, good feel, a medium sized sweet spot, and plenty of dwell time, it is a terrific blade for beginners who intend to become loopers. The great value for money doesn’t hurt either. Available in both shakehand and Chinese Penhold versions. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Yasaka Sweden Extra Shakehand Blade? | Buy Online |
| Interested in Purchasing a Yasaka Sweden Extra Chinese Penhold Blade? | Buy Online |
6. Andro Super Core Cell All+ Blade |
|
|
|
Rated as a very forgiving blade for your mistakes, the Andro Super Core Cell All+ blade (whew, that’s quite a mouthfull!), is not considered the fastest of beginning blades, which may be a plus for some players.
Reviewers generally agree that it has great feeling and control, with a little flex to allow good spin creation, and is fairly light with a large sweetspot. |
| Interested in Purchasing an Andro Super Core Cell All+ Blade? | Buy Online |
7. XIOM Allround S Blade |
|
|
|
The Allound S is South Korean based XIOM’s version of a classic European style allround blade.
Light, with a large, thin head, the XIOM Allround S is rated as being a perfect blade for beginners looking to mix in loops with a little defensive allround play. |
| Interested in Purchasing a XIOM Allround S Blade? | Buy Online |
8. Butterfly Andrzej Grubba Blade |
|
|
|
No list of beginner blades would be complete without including at least one Butterfly Andrzej Grubba blade – it has been a mainstay of recommendations for many, many years.
And with good reason. Known for their amazing control and spin generation with good feel, the Grubba blades were always a little on the softer and slower side which allowed plenty of dwell time. Pictured is one of Butterfly’s current versions of this truly classic blade series. |
| Interested in Purchasing a Butterfly Andrzej Grubba Blade? | Buy Online |
9. Sanwei Pro V5 Blade |
|
|
|
The Sanwei Pro V5 blade would probably be a little too fast for a pure beginner, but if you have been playing a while and have developed a consistent loop, then it could definitely be worth thinking about as your first custom blade.
High build quality combined with a large sweet spot and slight flex, providing good control for its speed, as well as plenty of spin capability. For the advanced beginner (you know what I mean)! |
| Interested in Purchasing a Sanwei Pro V5 Blade? | Buy Online |
10. Butterfly Petr Korbel Blade |
|
|
|
Some players are now calling the Butterfly Petr Korbel the new Primorac blade. Just as the Primorac blade was considered a ‘can’t go wrong” recommendation for beginners choosing their first custom table tennis blade, the Petr Korbel has gained a similar reputation in the 40mm plastic ball era.
The Petr Korbel possesses good feedback (vibration when you hit the ball correctly or not), a linear feel regarding power (you get back what you put in), and lots of dwell time for heavy spins. Suitable for advanced beginners who are looking for a blade to use for the next several years – in fact, you may never outgrow it! |
| Interested in Purchasing a Butterfly Petr Korbel Blade? | Buy Online |
