A few days ago, I received several blades and rubbers sent to me by SANWEI Sports. I have never used Sanwei’s products before, so I am full of curiosity this time. The first one I tried was the newly launched all-wood blade Echo from Sanwei.
According to the description on Sanwei’s official website, the Sanwei Echo is a part of the brand’s Trio series.
In fact, Sanwei Sports recently released two all-wood blades, one is the 5-ply Echo, and the other is the 7-ply Parla. As a chopping player, I always have a special preference for all-wood blades, just like the Stiga CLCR and Butterfly Maze I used before. Although these blades are not specifically designed for chopping, they can become powerful weapons for both offense and defense after choosing the right rubber.
Therefore, in this article, we will conduct a detailed review of the SANWEI Echo blade.
Who is it for?
This blade is suitable for players who have a controllable play style. With the clear feel and excellent control that come with all-wood blades, players can manage the pace of the game well, whether they’re on the defense or the offense. Besides, beginners might want to consider this blade as it can be very helpful in improving basic techniques.
The appearance of Sanwei Echo Blade
Upon unveiling the product from its packaging and removing the protective film, the SANWEI blade immediately impresses with its distinctive blue design aesthetic. The face of the blade bears the bold logo of SANWEI Sports, indicating the brand’s commitment to superior quality. Intriguingly, this blade is not categorized as ‘OFF’ (Offensive) but rather designed with a versatile ‘ALL Round’ style.
The handle, adorned primarily in sky blue, adds to the allure of the blade. As someone with a fondness for the color blue, this design element particularly resonates with me. The integration of white stripes perfectly complements the overall design, rendering the blade a testament to my aesthetic preferences.
A tap on the blade’s surface elicits a clear, crisp sound, indicative of its firm construction and potential for high performance. All in all, the SANWEI blade boasts a design that is not only visually appealing but also exudes an air of quality craftsmanship.
The structure of Sanwei Echo Blade
As we mentioned before, Sanwei Echo Blade has a typical 5-ply all wood structure.
A key feature of this blade is its delicate Limba surface, which offers soft contact and excellent control. This is paired with a unique, thick Ayous core that lends the blade its capacity for decisive, active attacks. Together, these features ensure a harmonious blend of finesse and strength, perfect for a strategic and dynamic game of table tennis.
Moreover, accoding to the description of Sanwei, the blade is made from 100% top-quality raw materials. All materials used in the production of the Echo blade are organic, safe, and of high caliber, making it a user-friendly choice for a broad range of players.
Speed Performace
I weighed the blade and it’s approximately 82 grams. For the testing phase, I paired it with SANWEI’s Gear and the classic rubber Friendship 729-2.Throughout the forehand attack trials, the blade imparted a distinctive, solid sensation upon impact, providing clear and precise tactile feedback. Irrespective of whether it was a forehand or a backhand attack, the velocity of the ball was notably impressive.
Proceeding with the forehand topspin test, I observed that the initial speed of the ball post-topspin wasn’t particularly high. However, after making contact with the table, the secondary speed was exceptionally quick. One of my key takeaways is that this blade outperforms the classic Stiga CLCR in terms of speed, while also delivering superior control and a more refined handling of the details.
This was particularly evident during topspin rallies in the middle court where I managed to maintain excellent control over the ball’s trajectory, even when up against my teammate using the Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC. Using this all-wood blade, I didn’t find myself disadvantaged in the least.
Another point of note is the blade’s commendable power transmission, possibly attributed to the choice of surface material. On occasions where I added a touch more force during the spin, the increase in ball speed was clearly discernible. This unique characteristic sets this blade apart from others in its class.
Spin Performance
My most significant personal impression from using the SANWEI blade is its exceptional ability to “hold” the ball. On the matter of spin, I chose Chinese tacky rubbers, and given they were fresh out of the pack, my teammates were quick to remark on the intense spin they felt when trying out this blade. However, it posed a challenge to discern whether the enhancement in spin was attributed to the rubber or if the blade itself.
That being said, during forehand topspin strokes, the spin on the ball was noticeable, imparting a sensation akin to the ball being “enveloped.” Even though the initial velocity may not have been exceptional, the strong spin factor significantly compensated for this perceived shortcoming.
I found myself particularly appreciating the process of lifting up backspin balls. Due to the blade’s superior ball holding property,the ball can be easily “wrapped up” and be lifted up as well.
When it came to pushing the ball, I encouraged one of my students to test this blade. As they were still in the initial phase of mastering the push stroke and had not fully controlled over the ball’s trajectory, the blade’s performance was an excellent study. Following several rounds of multi-ball practice, the student demonstrated notable improvements in their push stroke control, leading to fewer instances of net hits or overshooting. The return shots also exhibited a marked enhancement in quality, showcasing increased spin on the balls.
Therefore, from a coach’s view, this blade is exceptionally beneficial for beginners in cultivating a feel for the game and improving their technical skills.
Control Performance
Excellent control is the standout feature of this blade. Like other all-wood blades, the Sanwei Echo shines when it comes to controlling where the ball lands, its spin, and its speed. During fast-paced drills, when the ball moves quickly, players need to switch between forehand and backhand swiftly and control the ball effectively. I let my student try this blade and saw their control over the ball’s path improve significantly.
From my personal experience, during short push shots, this blade’s clear feel helped me manage my power very precisely. This made sure the ball didn’t go out of the table or bounce too high. When I’m attacking, I don’t need the ball to go super fast, but I do want it to land in a specific spot. I’ve noticed some all-wood blades can make it hard to control the landing spot when hitting the ball from back court. This might be because they lack carbon fiber, which could give them more power and support.
However, even for far-off shots, this blade kept good control over where the ball landed. But it’s worth noting that I think Sanwei’s seven-ply all-wood blade, the Parla, performs even better in this respect.
Defense Performance
In terms of defense, I found that both active and passive blocking can work well with this blade, provided that you can control the landing spot well and adjust the timing of the stroke. The blade gives a clear feel.
As a chopper, of course, I also tried chopping with both my forehand and backhand. In my opinion, this blade isn’t the best for chopping. The main reason is that it’s a bit too fast, especially when paired with long-pimple rubbers. The quick ball speed makes it hard to control, and if you’re not good at controlling your power close to the table, it’s easy to overshoot. However, if you mostly chop from far away from the table, and attack a lot, you might want to consider using this blade.
