june 2010 (last year)

I have found my paddle at last! It was like finding a needle in a haystack with all the defensive paddles that I've purchased and all the ads that I've read and the "advice" that I got from fellow players.

For all you developing choppers out there, a slow, big defensive paddle may not be the way to go.

Yeah I have Koji's Mat.pro and all the glory that goes with it but the feel of this Dawei with a thin inverted rubber and red 755 OX (oh no!) is just, somehow, better. It chops very precisely and linearly and every kind of vital defensive shot vs top spin eg bh roll, bh lift, bh punch block all throw low just grazing the net from mid distance. Also it chops surprisingly slow and again very low and controllable with red 755 OX.

All my paddles are wood, this is my only wood/carbon comp so that probably explains the distinct feeling.

The negative side is that it is a regular, perhaps even smaller, sized paddle. But given that, it is refreshingly more easy to manuver than my toxic or Mat.Pro. Also the smaller surface area allows you to play the offensive strokes as they were meant to be played-on a regular size paddle.

My Dawei GTS has a straight handle so its kind of like a mini defensive setup. Twiddling with a smaller head that feels both lightweight and solid is faster.

My current hitting partner, a veteran south paw hitter/looper, who hardly compliments me, said that it was the best paddle that I used against him. I'll take that as a compliment! I think he had a harder time dealing with my spinnier fh chops which are just slow enough to put on the table - just use a compact swing.

***update*************
The more I write the closer I get to the truth I hope...

The GTS is finishes second compared to the Mat.Pro with feint 2 0.5.

It's better than my toxic 3 + ritc rubber combos in every way but overall for defence, its Koji's paddle all the way!

Sorry for doubting you Koji.

****6 month update****
-for closer to table defence, this paddle is all you need
-i like the r2 as well
-also try thicker xp rubber for fh chops and more weight
-will stick to dawei now:)

****All the above written a year ago********

Hi it's PIPPY again!

Been playing with R2 and GTS for complete year, 3 times a week, club plus robo practice.

Moved to GTS, my transformation to solid intermediate has begun with this paddle not just for chops but for ATTACK:

This bat plays for you (in first gear) and has many gears for fh top spins, smashes, hit and drives. What defence bat can do this? Think of the number of strokes it takes to win a long rally with a slow bat, and the effort.

Chop and Attack and everything linear and accurate. Fantastic for allround pushblocker style with the ability to horsewhip the other guy in high gear.

There is no need for a slower bat when you have fast bat with superior control especially for offence AND defence with little vibration. Changed the speed to 9.0 now because of its top gear SMASH and STIFF rating but not as stiff as R5 (thats harder to control). The hardness is at least medium hard but i'm not sure...its great for underspin blocking on the bh that is for sure because of the hardness.
The angle of bat can be left almost parallel to the table unlike a high throw bat that requires open face chop blocking. BIG PLUS!
Is there a better bat? who cares when i have the GTS!

This is the 2nd carbon blade i've try after gergely. it's lighter than gergely. speed and control is ok. I love it