Stiga Blades

In those days table tennis rackets were not sold in two parts (blade and rubbers), they were available as a single unit. In case you possess one of the very first Stiga bats, you can be proud and happy. It is a real collector´s item, worth a three- to four-digit amount among table tennis players.

The following table shows an overview of currently available Stiga blades. All specifications directly come from the manufacturer. They are sorted according to speed in a descending order, whereas the maximum value is 150. Stiga blades with a green background can be ordered directly, Stiga blades with a grey background are also deliverable (please send us a inquiry via email).

Have fun searching the right Stiga blade!

Name	Weight (g)	Number of Veneers	Speed	Control	Strategy	Type of Handle	Elasticity	Price (€)
Stiga Carbonado 145	90	5+2	145	44	Off+	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	189.90
Stiga Carbonado 190	90	5+2	145	44	Off+	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	169.90
Stiga Ebenholz NCT VII	95	7	141	46	Off+	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	164.90
Stiga Rosewood NCT VII	90	7	139	49	Off+	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	164.90
Stiga Intensity NCT Carbon	90	5+2	124	60	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	119.90
Stiga Rosewood XO	85	5	118	62	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	156.90
Stiga Emerald VPS V	90	5	117	63	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	146.90
Stiga Ebenholz NCT V	90	5	115	62	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Power	146.90
Stiga Rosewood NCT V	85	5	113	63	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	146.90
Stiga Intensity NCT	85	5	105	65	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Power	95.90
Stiga Clipper Wood	90	7	101	68	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Nearly Stiff	59.90
Stiga Infinity VPS V	95	5	100	70	Off	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	64.90
Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon	85	5+2	92	76	Off-	ft, s, a, fn	Stiff	59.90
Stiga Offensive Wood NCT	85	5	90	76	Off-	ft, s, a, fn	Power	59.90
Stiga Energy Wood WRB	85	5	78	74	All+	ft, s, a, fn	Power	39.90
Stiga Offensive Classic	85	5	73	76	All+	ft, s, a, fn	Power	39.90
Stiga Allround Classic Carbon	85	5+2	73	78	All	ft, s, a, fn	Nearly Stiff	49.90
Stiga Allround Wood NCT	80	5	72	79	All	ft, s, a, fn	Feeling	42.90
Stiga Allround Evolution	80	5	72	77	All	ft, s, a, fn	Feeling	35.90
Stiga Allround Classic WRB	75	5	63	78	All	ft, s, a, fn	Feeling	36.90
Stiga Allround Classic	80	5	62	75	All	ft, s, a, fn	Feeling	31.90
Stiga Defensive Wood NCT	75	5	61	77	Def	ft, s, a, fn	Elastic	54.90

Legend: a = anatomical, ft = flared-thick, fn = flared-narrow, s = straight

Stiga blades - Types of handles

Since many, many years Stiga blades are the most used blades, and - with good reason - the most sold ones (considering the whole market). First, there is a high quality of the veneers, the experience gathered and applied over many years, and the high degree of innovation in terms of developing new Stiga blades. Second, many different types of handles (offered as standard!) also play an important role.

The handle types of Stiga blades have their own name which is composed as follows:

• Penholder: Shortened handle, mainly developed for the Chinese market. If you prefer this handle, please make a separate inquiry, as this blade is not in stock.
• Winner: This corresponds to the anatomical handle type.
• Legend: This corresponds to the generally common flared (concave) handle which is marked as flared-thick in our TT Shop.
• Master: Thinner than flared-thick, called flared-narrow in our table tennis shop.
• Classic: This is the straight type of handle.

Considering the national, but also international comparison, the flared handle is probably used most often. The quota is approx. 85%. In case you are not sure what type of handle is appropriate, we recommend you the Stiga blade Legend flared-thick. Many pros, however, prefer a straight handle. The flared-narrow version is designed for narrow hands. The anatomical handle is said to lie firmly in your hand (due to its curvature).

Stiga blades and their production details

The further development of the classics Stiga Offensive Classic and Stiga Allround Classic emphasizes that Stiga is always searching for new, innovative technologies, but also keeps an awareness for tradition: The above mentioned table tennis blades are still real best-sellers from the house of Stiga, and this will certainly remain so for some time.

Details make the difference - hence, product variations also allow for the gaming styles allround plus, and offensive minus with a hard touch, or a soft feeling. The reason for these fine differences lies in the further development, based on the classics. For example, the Stiga blades Offensiv Classic WRB, or the Allround Classic Carbon, were created in order to meet individual needs. Below you can find a section which presents all relevant technologies Stiga is using for their TT blades:

• WRB: The WRB system of Stiga blades is made of three abbreviations. The "W" stands for Weight Balance: The center of gravity always lies where the ball hits the racket. The "R" corresponds to Rate of Recovery: The weight of the blade was reduced, hence, less physical effort is necessary, resulting in a better rate of recovery with every stroke you do. Finally, the "B" stands for Ball Sensitivity: Due to the cavity within the handle, the whole blade is slightly top-heavy. This causes an increased directness of the ball feedback.
• CR: All blades with the specification "CR" were treated with ultraviolet radiation at the outer (finishing) veneer. Hence, this veneer is a bit harder, more direct, and faster. The necessary amount of control is provided by the core veneer.
• Oversize: Oversize blades are thicker and, therefore, approx. 10% faster than comparable Stiga blades. An enlarged head of the blade simultaneously improves the feeling for the ball.
• Crystal: The so called Crystal technology is related to a recent type of sealing Stiga blades. By means of a specially developed "hydrophilic gel lacquer", the speed was further increased.
• VPS: VPS stands for Veneer Precision System. VPS means that thoroughly chosen, hand-picked intermediate veneers are used which are treated by an innovative heating process, and a subsequent cooling process. This results in a solid balance, and a fantastic feeling for the ball.
• Diamond Touch: The diamond touch technology gives the outer veneers an extra amount of hardness.
• NCT: NCT stands for Nano Composite Technology. This technology is a further technological process in order to provide an increased hardness with respect to the outer veneers. The positive feeling for the ball is NOT reduced!

Buying Stiga table tennis blades

Stiga table tennis blades are extremely multifaceted. If you want to purchase a Stiga blade, you will have to inform yourself a bit. The blades from the house of Stiga exhibit very fine nuances with respect to speed. When, for example, distinguishing the Rosewood XO from the Emerald VPS V, this issue becomes evident. Fortunately, the table above includes all Stiga blade specifications, such as speed characteristics, and much more (product details contain further information). As multifaceted as the products themselves are the prices of the Stiga table tennis blades. Starting with one of the most bought blades worldwide, the Stiga Allround Classic for 31.90 Euro, up to the more expensive Carbonado series, there is something appropriate for almost every type of player, and for every budget.

Stiga table tennis blades - Model series

The product series of Stiga table tennis blades can be differentiated based on the manufacturing details, the implemented technologies (see above), and based on the name. In terms of the latter, one quickly recognizes the classics:

• the Allround series: Classic, Classic WRB, CR WRB, Evolution, Allround Wood NCT, and Allround Classic Carbon
• the Offensive series: Classic, Classic WRB, CR, CR WRB, Classic Carbon, and Offensive Wood NCT
• the Clipper series: Clipper Wood, WRB, CR, CR WRB, and Clipper CC

These Stiga blade models have been on the market for an incredibly long time, they also seem to be the top-sellers, and are - hence - most frequently used. The latest Stiga TT blades are getting faster and faster, but also more and more expensive. Nevertheless, they are extremely multifaceted, so that a broad mass of blades is available for the table tennis player, and for offensive players in particular. The most successful (new) series are:

• Ebenholz series (Ebenholz=Ebony)
• Rosewood series
• Carbonado

Further information about Stiga blades, and the company

In forums, regulars tables, and collector circles, Stiga blades are a popular and permanent topic. Veneer composition, quality differences between individual models, and so forth. There it really goes into detail. Originally, Stiga produced garden tools and general sports products. For example, in 2007, there were 320 employees working in this company based in Tranas (Sweden). In total, there are approx. 1.300 employees. The size of the company is not only because of table tennis articles. Still, table tennis articles are a major sales guarantor.

In 1944 (more or less), Stiga started their production of table tennis products. In those days, Stiga blades were not offered separately to the rubbers. The blades of those times are now worth a small fortune. Collectors are indeed willing to pay more than 1.000 Euro for such an old blade. For the original model of the Offensive Classic series (in good condition), approx. 500 Euro collector´s value is a standard amount. Today´s blades probably won´t make such sums in 30 years. But who knows, maybe one or another of today´s Stiga blades will be a good investment in the future ....