Re-Impact Krenzer Konterspin 5:
The characteristics of this blade are almost identical to the ones of the Konterspin 1 (see description below). The difference resides in an increased speed thus satisfying the demand of modern defenders who play more aggressively and put more pressure on the opponent.
Konterspin 1: The
blade has been designed with the maximum possible asymmetry between
back- and forehand not only with respect to speed but also to catapult.
Whereas the backhand shows little catapult and greatly reduced speed,
the forehand is still powerful enough for any kind of attacks. The
partial uncoupling of catapult on the backhand side has some effect on
the forehand, too. Creation of fast topspins with great rotation is
facilitated as well as blocking of hard and heavily rotating topspins. Overall
the superb control and feedback of the blade make it first choice for
the defensive however aggressive control freak. Flat flight curve of
balls. The blade of Isabelle Lafaye-Marciou, world champion 2006!
Characteristics:
- Weight ~ 67 g
- Thickness ~ 12 mm
- Speed: ALL+
- Control 10
Staff Note: Although the manufacturer rates this blade as ALL+, the speed feels quite a bit faster to us, more like OFF.
Note: Weight indication is supplied by Re-Impact, and is a rough indication of the weight for the 'Standard' size blade. The 'Medium' and 'Large' size blades will be a little heavier. Since wood is a natural product, there will always be some variation in weight. If the actual weight is important to you, please contact us and we can advice what weights we have in stock.
Notes: These blades are
custom made in Germany by one of the most high regarded blade design and
manufacturer Re-Impact, and are not mass produced like most other blades
in current times.
What's so special about Re-Impact? Are they
worth the money?
Re-Impact
(aka Rendler) is a specialist blade
maker based in Germany. The Geniuses behind the company are brothers
Achim and Eugen Rendler (Eugen unfortunately passed away in 2009) who's
expertise is well known in Germany, and by other manufacturers. Several
other
manufacturers use Re-Impact to make their own blade and re-badge them,
and these
are usually sold at higher prices. Dr Neubauer gets some of their top
specialised blades made by Re-Impact, as they know very well these blade
cannot
be mass produced and require the experience of a top blade maker.
A description of what sets the Re-Impact custom
blades apart from other mass produced blades is given below:
"The competition blades by "Re-Impact" have
something that other blades will never have;
- Maximum control. Re-Impact products are
built like musical instruments. You can hear and feel what is transferred at
each ball contact harmonically. Because of that, even offensive blades
have a excellent combination of Offensive and Defensive abilities and can
therefore be used for all basic strokes. Our blades also have
- More spin creation potential than the
competitors blades. The ability to produce spin by itself is a popular
measurement between each of our blades. This is achieved through a complex
harmony between the inner layers of the blade and the asymmetric
construction, which creates a targeted vibration which is transferred to the
upper plies which is then transferred to the rubber which increases spin.
- Our blades have a enlarged sweet spot
similar to carbon blades with the difference that our blades have no plies
of any material and are 100% made from wood. Re-Impact are competition
blades which are 100% in compliance with the ITTF technical leaflet T 4.
Therefore we only produce blades that are 100% compliant with ITTF rules.
- The thicker the blades are, the higher the
catapult-effect. Re-Impact products produce speeds like the rubbers would
have been fresh glued because the catapult effect of the blades is very
strong! The physical properties of the plies used in the construction are
not being restricted. The physical vibration between the layers is passed
from one to another layer without producing a linear vibration like in other
balsa woods. The catapult properties are always controllable. Because of
that, the choice of the right rubber at some models is very important in
order for the rubber and blade to be in complete harmony to prevent rubber
and wood working against each other..
- Re-Impact blades produce reduced feedback
due to their asymmetric Racket shape. The goal is (also through very light
weight of the blades), to take load of f the arm and shoulders. They feel
like a feather in active play.
- Some of the Re-Impact blades have two
different sides of play, and are specifically designed for left or right
handers. How is something like that possible? It's actually very simple. The
ball always arrives at the blade diagonally. The wood is always less elastic
in the direction of the wood grains if the direction of movement is against
the direction of the wood grains. At Re-Impact, the thickest layer is
cross-glued. The 'body vibration-impulse conductor system' (KSLS - System)
is developed in a way that the audible and sensed vibration are always
directed against the direction of the wood grain. You visibly can determine
the KSLS system through the cuts in the handle area on one side only. If you
have a right handed version in front of you, the cuts are on the right side
of the handle if the blade is laying on the table. For some of our other
blades, the cross direction of the main ply runs diagonally from right top
to left bottom and the speed from forehand to backhand is completely
identical because both of the KSLS-System which directs the vibration
against the wood grains, which increases feel and reduces speed.
- Some of our combination blades have little
catapult on the backhand and high catapult on the FH. Because the backhand
is designed to be slower it has the best ball feeling and is great in taking
the pace off the ball.
For
those blades that consist predominantly of Balsa wood, it is wise to offer some
protection from damage. A thick edge tape or several layers of normal edge tape
is highly recommended.
Due to the high catapult behavior of the many of
the re-impact blades, often a reduction in sponge thickness is recommended. With
a thinner sponge you get better control and feel of the ball on the blade, and
the blade already offer more catapult effect compared to regular blades, so a
thicker sponge is not required.
Re-Impact blades offer:
- Lightweight blades (often below 60 g!)
- Huge sweet-spots
- A unique combination of control, spin and
speed
- A so far unrivaled feedback with a
significantly improved sensitivity
- Very comfortable grips with softened edges
