Weight
66g
Thickness
5.6mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
15.7x15.2
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Trouble
Der Materialspezialist Trouble is a 5-ply all-wood blade crafted for disruptive, close-to-the-table play, excelling with pimple or anti-spin rubbers. Its signature trait is shortening, lowering, and wobbling the ball's trajectory as an opponent attacks more aggressively, producing flat, short returns when blocking powerful loops. Paired with an offensive forehand rubber, it enhances spin, dwell time, and catapult effect. Despite its disruptive nature, it maintains excellent control, forgiving minor errors and supporting developing topspin play. This blade delivers a balanced mix of speed and control to create a challenging experience for opponents.
The blade is constructed from five solid wood plies, excluding Balsa wood, which contributes to its controlled and somewhat flexible playing characteristics. The specific wood types and their arrangement are not detailed by the manufacturer.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Der Materialspezialist Trouble is rated as a slower blade, with a speed score of 7.4 out of 10. This intentional design prioritizes control and disruptive play over raw power. Its slowness facilitates exceptional dwell time and an enhanced catapult effect when paired with offensive rubbers, but it is not primarily built for aggressive attacking.
Trouble provides exceptional command over the ball. This high control is crucial for precise placements, effective blocking, and frustrating aggressive shots. The blade's forgiving nature allows for safer plays even with slight errors, making it a reliable tool for tactical disruption.
Trouble delivers a medium-soft feel, providing good feedback to the player. This sensation stems from its all-wood construction and emphasis on control and dwell time, allowing for solid ball engagement—especially beneficial for players using pimples or anti-spin rubbers.
Trouble's disruptive nature and emphasis on short, flat returns when blocking suggest a medium-low throw angle. This promotes controlled, sinking shots that make it difficult for opponents to attack effectively, aligning with its error-forcing design.
Trouble offers notably long dwell time, a key factor in generating spin and controlling the ball. This extended contact allows players to impart significant spin and effectively absorb incoming spin. The design accentuates this during blocking, creating short and awkward trajectories that disrupt opponents.
The blade exhibits a moderate level of flexibility, which contributes to spin generation and a softer feel. This flexibility helps absorb incoming shots and create disruptive trajectories, while also enabling a good catapult effect when paired with offensive rubbers.
Based on its all-wood construction and focus on control, the vibration level is estimated to be moderate. It provides balanced feedback that aids in touch without transmitting excessive jarring to the hand, supporting its disruptive and controlled playstyle.
While explicit quality ratings are limited, our assessment suggests a durable blade built for consistent performance in disruptive play. The focus on high control and a balanced feel indicates solid manufacturing standards. This estimated rating reflects its specialized nature and reliable performance within its intended role.
Technology
Der Materialspezialist Trouble uses a 5-ply all-wood construction, specifically avoiding Balsa wood to achieve a distinct feel. Its core technology lies in altering ball trajectory based on opponent aggression—shortening and lowering the flight path against powerful shots to create a disruptive effect. This is achieved through wood plies that offer moderate flex and long dwell time, enhancing control and enabling effective spin generation with offensive rubbers while maintaining disruptive capabilities with pimples and anti-spin.
Similar Blades
Der Materialspezialist Blockbuster
Der Materialspezialist Blockbuster is another allround blade from the same manufacturer that offers a good balance of speed, control, and disruptive effect. Like Trouble, it's designed for players who want to score with spin and cut, suggesting a similar tactical approach but potentially with slightly more offensive capabilities.
Der Materialspezialist Tomahawk Next Generation
This blade supports defensively oriented disruptive play with particularly high control values, similar to Trouble. While Trouble focuses on altering trajectory based on opponent aggression, Tomahawk Next Generation is highlighted for its overall control and suitability for defensive strategies, making it a comparable option for players prioritizing safety and disruption.