blade enhancement

[FantasyCheeseBasin]

a few years ago glue was banned as it is being now, so blades were slightly doctored to increase thier speed and create a catapult effect,this being done with layer upon layer of varnish,one player at the world vets i remember used nail varnish to increase qualitys of his blade,my question is are thier any other ways to increase the speed and catapult effect of a blade.:popcorn:

[JKC]

I think the rule has changed over what you can legally do to a blade now. Varnishing is allowed up to 0.1mm (very thin indeed) and you must be able to feel the wood grain through the varnish. I don't know what the number of the rule is, but I have heard it mentioned on a number of forums. Don't think that anyone will check though.

I always cut mine down particulary around the shoulders but I think this only makes the blade slower but I like the feel.

[FantasyCheeseBasin]

wasnt aware of the layer of varnish ruling,maybe watered down varnishes might be worth a try

[HarryBelafonte]

good idea for our team might be an idestructable concrete kryptonite blade....:slider_hi5:

[JKC]

wasnt aware of the layer of varnish ruling,maybe watered down varnishes might be worth a try

You could thin it down a bit so it soaks in and get a few layers into the wood, it would probably harden the top ply up and give a little extra speed. Would probably change the feel a little though.

Even the Kreanga Carbon is (or will be - not sure when it applies) an illegal blade. Feel really sorry for the ones who shelled out £130 for one.:money:

[JKC]

You can of course still buy one here though if you are quick before they all go.

https://www.tees-sport.co.uk/index_2.html

[TS]

The Kreanga carbon will not be illegal. However it will be discontinued at the end of the year and we only have a few left at the reduced price of £80.

[JKC]

The Kreanga carbon will be illegal, that is why people on many forums are sanding the coating off (if it hasn't already fallen off). Any coating more than 0.1mm thick is illegal, even that silver stuff on the KC this is why Butterfly are discontinuing it

[TS]

I will contact butterfly europe today and find out for sure. Will let you know the outcome.

[TS]

The Kreanga Carbon is to be discontinued to make way for the new Photino blade. Here is the reply from Germany.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your message.

Just to play it safe our mother company had sent a sample blades to the ITTF prior to its launch. According to the equipment committee this blade was acceptable (as you know there is no need for an ITTF approval of blades).



Best regards,

Fred

F. Lange
Tamasu Butterfly Europa GmbH
Am Schuermannshuett 30 h
47441 Moers
Germany
www.butterfly-world.com
AG/County Court Kleve HRB 5031
Geschaeftsfuehrer/Managing Directors: Shunsaku Yamada, Hideyuki Kamizuru

[TS]

Use this link to see the regulations. http://www.ittf.com/ittf_equipment/pdf/T4_Racket_Coverings_2007.pdf
Law 2.4.2 is the law in question.

[JKC]

Part 1.1 on page 4 is the section I am refering to. Surely the silver layer hides the wood from sight and probably touch too.

Was your reply about a Kreanga or a photino? It doesn't seem clear from the wording.

[TS]

Good point. Never saw that part. All I can say is that I have been asured by Butterfly Europe that this blade is perfectly legal and has been used by proffesional players including Kreanga himself in many iTTF events.

[JKC]

I think it is quite a new addition to the rules that not many are aware of and I don't know how seriously it will be taken. I don't think anyone would get pulled up for it in BL or GPs but I do know quite a few players who have quite thick layers of varnish on their blades who might be in trouble if umpires are instructed to look for it.

[FantasyCheeseBasin]

just wondering what would be the effect of a layer of wood then varnish then wood etc ...........sandwich of both......:popcorn:

[JKC]

Sounds like an experiment for you Fantasy.