no lar
free from other ppl =]
no so pro lar, get sponsored

something i ordered for a friend and prepared for him...

senkoh max 10mm singly ply with H2#19 on FH and H3#19 on BH

wao~!

how much u bought?

Omg how much is this?

not i buy. i buy for my friend

total?

blade - RM160
rubber - RM90

total RM250

nice~

hey, u know how to distinguish between fake and real Hurricane 3?

there are long discussions on this on the web

if u buy from reputable dealer and check to see that the rubber has certain quality, then generally u'll be safe. only when it comes to those provincial/national ones that u gotta be careful. normally things like laser code printing on the sponge, stamping of the logo, cut corners etc must be taken into account.

Im not really sure about the wood layers tho. It's been a while since I apply glue so Ive forgotten about it.

Anyway I tried out Xiom Athena and Nittaku Rorin today, both with Xiom Omega III, I directly fall in love with the first stroke. I realized that my Arylate was fast, but somehow the quick-ness was being hold by the blade, eventho I stroke harder but the speed was limited. Differently from one ply hinoki blade I tested, I can freely hit the ball as fast as I want and I dont feel any restriction at all. All these years sticking to Arylate blade, I do have soft spot for one ply hinoki blade.

And Xiom Athena is going for no less than RM470 according to presport website, I havent ask my coach nor Uncle Ling yet, but should be not much different which I cant afford. And that Nittaku Rorin, I dont think its still in production. So asking your opinion regarding this, what do you think of both of the hinoki blades (Rorin and Athena) : Arylate Aspyte.

Will plan to buy with this month salary, 30th. Hehe...Lanatir can you pursue your friend sell one bat to me? Haha...

Which Xiom Athena you tried? RSM Platinum? RSM Gold? RSM Silver? Platinum is of course the highest grade from Xiom. Xiom also has a thicker Giga range (about 0.5mm thicker and faster). As you can see, I have the cpen RSM platinum but I haven't used it yet (collection). And which Omega III - 2007 or 2008 version? Asian or Euro version?

The Rorin is of course still in production. There is the normal 10mm Rorin and there is also a rarer 10.5mm Rorin. It's the fastest 1ply hinoki jpen from Nittaku but their most expensive is the Cho Tokusen A. The Cho Tokusen A is however 9mm and actually provides more control than the Rorin.

On the topic of true kiso hinoki blades...

Alternatively, if you like, u should consider the Kim Taek Soo (bcos it's getting harder to get now). It's also faster than the RSM. Fyi, there is also a very rare version of Butterfly RSM based on the red KTS but collectors sell it for ard RM2k+. Don't forget the Bty Cypress Max and the ultimate Cypress Special as well. And the more affordable Chiang Peng Lung and Cypress S.

Take note also for the Yasaka Hasha Special, TSP Dynam (10mm and 10.5mm versions) and the superb Darker Speed90 10mm version. There are other brands as well but normally not as famous.

Fyi, real kiso hinoki blades are made from trees at least 300-500 years old. They cut down the trees and air dry the wood for 1 year before cutting it into blades. Some special editions use woods up to 1000 yrs old. Darker is famous because the owner actually owns a whole forest of kiso hinoki and some of the manufacturers buy from Darker so some ppl say they have the best wood.

If you need to find these blades, let me know and I will tell you where you can get them. I normally buy from either Presports, a local dealer Graeztch (someone who sells online only) and also Iruiru.

There is also the choice of cypress (but not japanese kiso hinoki). You can custom make them from people like American Hinoki (they get lots of good reviews) http://www.americanhinoki.com/

Actually playing to many different types of multi ply wood and carbon/wood, I still prefer the feel of single ply hinoki the best. The 'catapult' soft feel of it is unmatched when used properly. Many choose their kiso hinoki by weight (Eastern players don't like it too light) and grain (tight parallel lines).

Chris, time to buy your blade lah. Dedicate some time the Senkoh is really worth the money. It's not as dense as higher grade cypress from Bty but it's already so good you won't care.

The Athena should be Gold or Silver version.And the Omega III is the new Asian Version. Personally I feel that the Rorin was better than the Xiom, perhaps its just personal preference. And for the mean time I dont think I'll be touching any new kiso hinoki as the price I cant afford at all. Would love to have it but perhaps in the future.

The question is - How good Rorin is ? Well, it maybe up to the person who uses it, but comments are welcomed. Since its fast, it suits me as well. And buying a new blade is a no no I guess, KTS cost at RM470, Xiom Athena Platinum is at RM450, and the list goes on. No wonder I kinda familiar with the name Graeztch, he did sell 4 units of KTS at PP4M but it was sold out very quick tho. Anyway, you can get any special price ?

Graeztch is a nice guy. He sometimes brings in some nice stuff

I think he has some Rorin and Cho Tokusen A in stock as well... the Rorin is <RM400 actually and is a fast blade. But seriously though, u should check out the Cypress S. True Kiso Hinoki single ply and really good quality for <RM300. Used to be used by Yoo Nam Kyu ok!

I can't really get any special price but normally get small freebies here and there lah being a regular with Triox/Presports.

Most of the blades are going up in price bcos of the difficulty in getting kiso hinoki so it's advisable to get them now.

However, if you don't mind lower grade cypress, why not try american hinoki or even the Senkoh 1, or Senkoh 95 R/S?

I see, and I see the reason u advise me to go for Cypress S for below RM300 is because U thot Im getting the new Rorin. No actually Im not, the Rorin blade is a secondhand blade from my friend, he did alot of blade changing and recently he got himself a Xiom Athena (not sure gold or silver), so his Rorin is unused and I thot of getting that one first before going for new hinoki blade. And to be truth, he's letting go of it for RM50, RM50 for a hinoki blade ? Dont you think thats a steal ?

Its just I have to convince myself on changing the blade, Im the type who loyal hahahaha, so its kinda sad departing from my Arylate. Whether it'll be good shifting or worse, Im still pening haha.

Owh, this is just another question, let say one day I do have enough saving for new blade, which one you think I should go for ? Perhaps if budget allowed, Xiom Athena Platinum, BTY KTS, BTY Cypress Max, or any other blades that recommended ?

wah if RM50, then if the condition is good, wallop lah!!! unless he sweat a lot and the blade dirty hahah
then again a good blade is like a good pair of jeans... u sure wanna season it yourself instead of buying someone else's old jeans right?
u dont have to stick to just one blade... u can use more than 1 mah. it's like having 2 wives

but if buying new blade, imho, the best single plies that are easily available (for now)
KTS/Cypress Max
Darker Speed 90 10mm
Xiom RSM Athena Platinum or LCS Giga Platinum
KKT Cho Super Cho Tokusen 10mm

i've seen all of them... and they are feel so smooth and smell so good! (the lemon scent of hinoki damn addictive)

This post has been edited by lanatir: Nov 12 2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks alot for the recommendation.

I think if I have the moolah, I'll definitely opt for Xiom RSM Athena Platinum. As the Red KTS is no longer available (provided if you have the budget to meet the collector's criteria you can have it)

Why dont you let go one of your collection ? Hahaha.

So, LYN TT session anyone ?

p/s : Seriously Im thinking of pm-ing any moderators here to ask for TS position to update the TT activities among us here as current TS is nowhere to be found.

sell what? my collection blades (new) are only RSM platinum cpen, blue KTS, KKT cho super cho 10mm... that's all. maybe next time i buy darker speed 90 10mm. nothing exceptional... i dont have cypress special. i dont have red KTS. i dont have 10.5mm rorin or dynam

the other blades i using now are

1) senkoh z
2) YEO cpen
3) DHS hurricane hao cpen
4) KKT super cho 9mm
5) xiom stradivarius

thats all

Last time you said the Butterfly Hinoki is very good? Then now Senkoh? Trend moved? I am too poor on those branded blade...

what is TS? TT = teh tarik or table tennis?

U must be spending lot to be a hinoki collector arent you ? Next time if we meet up do show me your collection ok (if got chance), its rare chance to see rare blade collections

Anyway chris - Senkoh is one of Butterfly blade too.

i believe u talking abt the SH grip ones... a lot of players like their SH to be multi ply. so i recommend that to u.

as jpen user we like single ply.

but i also have been hearing that some ppl are loving their single ply SH blade (my friend using one now and he has many expensive blades but his favourite is his Senkoh). there is no trend. just that u may prefer 5-7 ply or single ply. bcos the single ply can be VERY thick. so scared u not used to it.