Weight
83g
Thickness
5.75mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
15.9x14.9
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Waldner Offensive 2016
Donic Waldner Offensive 2016 is a special edition offensive blade that pays homage to Jan-Ove Waldner's legendary career. This 5-ply all-wood blade masterfully balances speed and control, reflecting Waldner's distinctive playing style. It features a unique JO-shape head, slightly more slender and oval than standard designs, crafted to enhance agility and feel. Constructed with carefully selected Ayous, Scandinavian pine, and Limba veneers, it delivers excellent ball feedback and substantial spin potential. Ideal for offensive players seeking a blend of power and precision, it remains a timeless choice for modern table tennis.
This symmetrical 5-ply construction features Limba outer layers, Scandinavian pine middle layers, and an Ayous core. This specific wood combination is designed to provide a balanced feel, good stability, and enhance ball control and dynamics while maintaining the classic all-wood playing characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is rated as fast, falling into the OFF- to OFF category. Our testing shows it offers strong offensive speed that is well-complemented by its control, making it suitable for aggressive attacking play. While some players note it might not reach the extreme speeds of professional-level carbon blades, it provides more than enough pace for most competitive situations.
Control is a major strength of this blade. Players report excellent maneuverability, allowing for precise placement and effective short game play. This high level of control makes it a forgiving blade, especially for intermediate players developing their technique, while still offering the precision advanced players demand for tactical play.
The feel is generally described as medium to medium-hard, with a solid yet sensitive contact. It provides good ball feedback without excessive vibration, characteristic of a classic all-wood blade. This allows players to develop a good understanding of ball interaction while maintaining a stable hitting surface.
The combination of its offensive nature and good dwell time suggests a medium-high throw angle, suitable for aggressive topspin and looping. This allows the ball to clear the net with sufficient arc while maintaining good speed and penetration, ideal for modern topspin rallies.
Our testing shows a medium to long dwell time, particularly effective during topspin loops. This extended dwell time allows players to impart significant spin and control the ball effectively, contributing to its suitability for aggressive spin-oriented play and touch shots around the table.
Players report a medium to relatively stiff flexibility. While it has enough flex for good spin generation and dwell time, it is not overly flexible, providing a stable platform for powerful shots and controlled blocking. This balance makes it predictable and consistent across different stroke types.
The blade exhibits very low vibration, which is a significant advantage for an all-wood offensive blade. This minimized vibration contributes to a clean feel and enhances control, especially in touch shots, blocking, and when playing close to the table with precise placement.
The blade is widely regarded for its high-quality construction and finish. The carefully selected veneers and precise manufacturing process contribute to its durability and premium feel. Many players find the craftsmanship exceptional, with a finish that compares favorably to more expensive blades in the market.
Technology
Donic Waldner Offensive 2016 is a special edition blade that reinterprets a legendary design. It employs a classic 5-ply all-wood construction, meticulously assembled with carefully selected veneers: Limba for the outer layers, Scandinavian pine for the intermediate layers, and Ayous for the core. This combination is engineered to provide a unique playing sensation, balancing dynamics, stability, and ball control. The blade features the distinctive 'JO-shape' head, characterized by its slender and oval profile, a design choice favored by Jan-Ove Waldner himself to enhance agility and direct ball feel. This construction aims to replicate the playing characteristics of Waldner's most successful blades, offering offensive players a blend of speed, exceptional control, and significant spin potential.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Jan-Ove Waldner
Jan-Ove Waldner is the legend whose playing style and preferences inspired this blade. The 'Waldner Offensive 2016' is a re-edition of the blade he used during his most successful periods, including his Olympic victory in 1992 and World Championship title in 1997. The blade's construction and the unique JO-shape head were specifically designed to match his distinctive, highly controlled, and spin-oriented offensive game. This blade embodies his unique style, offering the speed and control he was renowned for throughout his legendary career.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Petr Korbel
TTSensei experts note that the Donic Waldner Offensive 2016 plays quite similarly to the Butterfly Petr Korbel. Both are classic 5-ply all-wood offensive blades known for their excellent balance of speed, control, and feel. They share similar playing characteristics that make them popular choices for intermediate and advanced players seeking versatile offensive options with good touch and consistency.