Donic/Andro Blades Tested!

[gekogark1212]

Firstly I would like to say a huge thanks to Rob for giving me the chance to try so many blades from their range. It is truly appreciated mate! 

So I have to review (categorized by speed, then by thickness):

• Andro Kinetic CF light OFF-, 80g
• Andro Christian Suss OFF, 89g
• Donic Persson Powerplay V1, 95g
• Donic Epox Carbotec, 81g
• Andro Supercore Cell OFF, 90g
• Donic Baum Sawtec, 91g
• Donic Black Thunder, 98g
• Donic Epox OFF, 90g

I've got a couple of the reviews ready, but need time to post. Will update shortly.

[gekogark1212]

Alrighties, I'll start with the Andro Kinetic CF Light OFF-.

This blade feels really, really nice coming from an all-wood perspective. Honestly if I gave it to you for a hit, you would never have guess that it has carbon in it. Very flexible, loads of vibration and feeling and great hitting speed.

However, I felt the dwell time was significantly shorter than that of something with the same flex, further as 5 and 7-ply all-wood user, the huge vibrations given off during a killer loop would usually imply blinding speed. This however was not the case. It seems like there's a certain speed the ball likes to travel at, and forcing it any faster and the blade gives no arc. Thus, I would say the throw lowers significantly as you hit harder, but it excellent on regular/control/training loops.

It runs at exactly 6mm, and the one I have to test is only 80g. Slightly handle heavy. I would advise you to use tensors on this. The vibrations and its low dwell would not suit Chinese rubbers at all, and with its excellent short game capability (ie, low rebound during soft contact) it really doesn't need a Chinese rubber to play great in the short game.

All in all, perhaps a 7/10, it has potential for developing your strokes and learning to be patient and definitely would be considered for anyone with an injury or torn/strained biceps brachii, brachialis, or brachioradialis (forearm). I believe this blade has EXCELLENT compatibility with short and medium pimples, but might be a tad too fast for today's long pimples. Nonetheless, it will be a backup blade...the search continues...

[gekogark1212]

The next blade I tried is the Donic Epox Carbotec, this is another light blade at only 81g, however being a little thicker, at 6.2mm. It is very balanced, not head nor handle heavy.

First thing I noticed was its (after its colour actually) nice handle, it fits really well in my hands. Anyway, it has a medium rebound on softer contact, giving it good short game ability. Dwell time is very good, and again I would be fooled into thinking it was all wood. Vibrations aren't as noticeable as the Kinetic CF Light OFF-, but definitely a huge step away from traditional carbons like Gergely, Sardius, PC, SC, or even the TBS.

It has an excellent linear response to power input, and its head size is approaching that of the Butterfly/Stiga blades.

I tried it with Hurricane and a short pip, Hammer, and worked fantastically. Although the Hurricane required perfect timing to powerloops, I managed to put out a couple and reveal the Carbotec's true powers.

At the moment I would conclude it as being roughly a 8.5 or 9/10, but I will try it again the 2nd time round with tensors, but this is a very promising replacement to my Ovtcharov Senso which was like swinging a tennis racket (weighing at 210g setup).

[gekogark1212]

So I got round to trying the Christian Suss OFF, weighing in at 89g and being 5.8mm thick. Handle is nice and has those kinetic beads swishing through.

During counters I clearly noticed how slow the blade was, it didn't give backbone to the Donic Coppa Speed, a relatively fast SGE rubber. Further, when looping you can clearly feel the ball drop a lot sooner than it should, and not because of spin but merely because there's not enough power on the ball.

That being said, a clean drive is nicely rewarded with med-fast speed. Strangely it is slower than the Kinetic CF OFF- I reviewed earlier. Another strength of the Suss OFF is its short game variety, indeed it is very rare to find a blade without pairing Chinese rubbers that plays like it in the short game. Pushes were very tight and flicks are vicious!

Overall, the speed factor really got to me, and I don't like having to swing as hard as I would for an allround blade, so I'd give this a 6/10. In fact, I don't think this blade would fit attacking pimples either, and its high dwell might throw off some long pip users.

[gekogark1212]

sorry for the late update fellas, had a minor bicep tear, which has healed now. So I finally got around to trying the Donic Epox Offensiv, a beautiful black coloured blade weighing at 90g and being 6.8mm thick.

This blade is just lovely to play with, speedwise it is no less than the Ovtcharov, perhaps only marginally slower, the feel is crisp on hits and can defend really well. The dwell is medium and is excellent for a rather fast blade, the trajectory/arc of the blade is medium-low, definitely suited for medium to high throw rubbers.

I found it to be too bouncy when I hit the bare wood, but once paired with my trusted Coppa Speed and JO Gold, the short game shined (pushing game matched that of Guy, a feat on its own!).

Overall the comfortness of the handle, the slight head heaviness, the sexy look, the nice arc and feel, the weight all reminded me of the Ovtcharov. To be honest, I love this blade, but the reason I'm embarking on this track is to something like the Ovtcharov but with more control and perhaps a slight decrease in speed. The Epox OFF got the speed and feel right, but control wise, I wouldn't say it is better than my beloved Ovtcharov. Perhaps a good replacement bat should I break my main setup. I'd give a 8.5/10.

[Der Echte]

Eager to see Ur review of the Sawtec with references to "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

[gekogark1212]

Eager to see Ur review of the Sawtec with references to "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

hahaha, I'll try not to disappoint

[Der Echte]

You could say something to the effect of... "Just like it was futile for the victims to flee from the Chainsaw weilding bastard, opponents had zero chance to stop me from powerlooping thier long bottomspins for winners." At least it would sound cool and be closer to the truth than a lot of hte marketing slogans for current rubbers/blades.

[gekogark1212]

After a couple of hours playing with the Chainsaw...I mean, the Donic Baum Sawtec, I'm ready to give my 2 cents worth. Before I get into it, again I want to thank Rob a millions times for giving me this chance to try so many awesome blades.

Now, the sawtec I got weighed in at 91g and is 6.7mm thick. From the first hit, I already noticed the blade's low throw and only medium speed on basic counters. Further looping showed that it doesn't excel in speed. Rather I'm amazed by just how much spin I was producing and how consistent I could loop with it.

Unlike what both me and Der Echte had expected, this blade actually doesn't remind you of a chainsaw weilding lunatic bloodthirsty for everypoint, instead I saw a sniper, simple and effective in its delivery, and very accurate and consistent.

The blade has a soft feel to it and a very long dwell, the ball doesn't seem to want to leave the blade. If you forced it to give more power, it delivers it, but the low throw and its softness makes it slightly unstable in its feeling and thus you must be very confident in your stroke.

Serving and short game control is outstanding and perhaps it's the nice cork covered handle that delivers the clear feeling on soft contact. Overall I quite like this blade and would recommend pairing with a faster Chinese rubber like the neo series to accommodate the low throw and provide a bit more speed on drives. I give it 9/10.

[Der Echte]

Outsdtanding Summary Gark.

[yurio@seek.com.au]

Hi Gark, Have you tried the "Andro Supercore Cell OFF, 90g" yet..?

[gekogark1212]

Sorry mate, after my last post way back, I suffered a rather nasty spinal injury and also sprained my MCL (knee). My knee's all better now, but the spine still needs a little time. I have sent the blades back to Rob and purchased the Epox Carbo though.

If it is any help, I've tried the Supercore Cell OFF+, which to me was a light, med-fast blade, that lacks a solid feel to it, felt good for looping but the dwell's not excellent.

[Skippy]

What's the deal Geko?  Are you fragile, or just accident prone?  Torn Bicep, Spinal Injury, and MCL?  Is this normal for you, or is it a string of bad luck that Rob sent with the blades?  What's your playing level in comparison to Rob.  I think I saw some video of you quite awhile ago, and if I remember correctly you looked pretty salty.  I know everyone thinks the usatt rating system is stupid, and perhaps it is (mostly don't like the point system), however someone can tell me their rating and I pretty much know what kinda player they are.

[pingpongrob]

The Victorian Ranking system is not mauch better.  3 weeks ago I had a bad night, no concentration - lack of light, and tireness.  Played a fella that is nowhere near my standard and lost in 5.  Lost heaps of ranking points - as I should, played him 1 week ago in the semifinal (which doesnt count for points) and he only got 2, 2 & 3.

[gekogark1212]

What's the deal Geko?  Are you fragile, or just accident prone?  Torn Bicep, Spinal Injury, and MCL?  Is this normal for you, or is it a string of bad luck that Rob sent with the blades?  What's your playing level in comparison to Rob.  I think I saw some video of you quite awhile ago, and if I remember correctly you looked pretty salty.  I know everyone thinks the usatt rating system is stupid, and perhaps it is (mostly don't like the point system), however someone can tell me their rating and I pretty much know what kinda player they are.

Sorry for the late reply, dying under a pile of work here.

If you like the USATT rating, then I am now above 2000. I was dwelling on 1900 for a looooong time, but now I play even to another bloke on the uniteam who had a 2000-something rating when he competed in the US 4 years ago.

And yes, I've had freakishly bad luck for a couple of months now. Things haven't really tuyrned around for me, but I pretty muchjust have to stay positive and ride it through.

[Der Echte]

Holy Shit Batman !! WTF is going on down under? I have wanted to visit, especially since I moved a lot closer, but hearing that stepping foot anywhere down there gives you major injuries, considering i am as prone as any guy now, makes me think twice. I don't have any vacation time for awhile anyway so, I say hope U get over ur injuries and kick some tail on the table. I have no clue anymore what USATT 2000 loooks like, but I reckon I defeat a number of Koreans at that skill level. Would love to run up against a Donic totin' playa like U, as I NEVER see Koreans with Donic gear, whether it is blades, rubber, or clothing. See a ton of BTY, Xiom, Yasaka (Our club's preferred supplier of Jerseys) and Nittaku, but never Donic or Andro. Tells you what a deal marketing is. Donic and Andro should sell themselves on their merit, but no-go on that. BTY and Co have too much of a death grip on the market here.

[gekogark1212]

haha thanks Der, I'd gladly give you a hit when you have the time to visit. (I actually stopped using Donic, found it too fast and user-friendly for my current style).

[blue_smartie68]

Hey Geko....
Just had a thought.... maybe your current avatar is a clue to your recent spate of injuries?? 

Cheers,
Chris (with a sore back from lifting a piano!! )

[gekogark1212]

Hey Geko....
Just had a thought.... maybe your current avatar is a clue to your recent spate of injuries?? 

Cheers,
Chris (with a sore back from lifting a piano!! )

Haha! Despite my unquenchable thirst for beer, I actually don't drink. It's just that I've been pushing my body strength-wise, endurance-wise and stressing it with 3 degrees intellectually that I don't get enough recovery.

In fact, I'm still competing now at Olympic park on thursday nights despite my physio, chiro,  and my trainer telling me to rest.