Weight
52g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
164x163
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Barricade DEF
Dr. Neubauer Barricade DEF is a specialized defensive blade engineered for players who excel in chopping, blocking, and controlling the game. Its exceptionally light weight and large head size provide outstanding maneuverability and a soft feel, enabling precise placement and maximum spin reversal, especially with long pimple or anti-spin rubbers. The 7-ply all-wood construction effectively absorbs incoming power, offering a safe yet dangerous chopping game. While designed for defense, it provides enough versatility for occasional offensive attacks, making it a formidable tool for modern defenders seeking high control and disruptive effect.
The 7-ply all-wood construction is designed to provide a slow, controlled feel with excellent vibration dampening. This structure allows for significant dwell time, which is crucial for generating spin reversal with defensive rubbers. The consistent wood layers contribute to a predictable response and enhance the blade's control capabilities for defensive play.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Barricade DEF is intentionally designed as a very slow blade, prioritizing control and spin reversal over raw speed. This slowness allows for extended dwell time on the ball, which is essential for defensive players to execute effective chops and maximize the disruptive effect of their rubbers. While it can generate some speed with harder inverted rubbers, its primary characteristic is extreme slowness.
Control is the standout feature of Barricade DEF. Its slow speed, soft feel, and large sweet spot provide exceptional command over the ball. This allows defensive players to place their shots with high precision, execute subtle drops, and consistently return powerful attacks with safety and effectiveness.
Barricade DEF offers a distinctly soft and dampened feel, attributed to its construction and light weight. This soft feel enhances control and dwell time, allowing players to 'feel' the ball and make precise adjustments. The consensus leans towards a soft, controlled sensation crucial for defensive play.
With appropriate rubbers, Barricade DEF can produce a medium to medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for defensive shots like chops and pushes, allowing them to land deep on the opponent's side. However, the throw angle can be significantly influenced by the choice of rubbers.
The exceptional dwell time is a direct result of the blade's slow speed, soft feel, and significant flexibility. This extended contact time between the ball and the rubber/blade allows defensive players to impart maximum spin, especially for spin reversal, and maintain precise control over their shots.
While some reviews mention it being 'stiff,' the general consensus for a defensive blade of this nature is that it possesses a good degree of flexibility. This flexibility contributes to its high dwell time and soft feel, allowing for effective chopping and control.
Barricade DEF is noted for its good vibration-dampening characteristics. This helps to absorb incoming power and provides a clean, controlled feel, reducing unwanted vibrations that could disrupt a defensive player's touch and precision.
Barricade DEF is generally regarded as a well-constructed blade, reflecting the brand's reputation for quality. The materials and assembly are typically solid, leading to a durable product for its intended purpose. Minor concerns about edge durability have been noted by some users, but overall quality is considered high.
Technology
Barricade DEF is crafted with a 7-ply all-wood construction, a design choice that emphasizes control and feel. This construction method allows for a blade that absorbs impact effectively, providing a dampened sensation crucial for defensive maneuvers. The blade's exceptionally light weight, often cited around 50-58 grams, is a key technological aspect, enabling faster reaction times and reduced fatigue during long matches. While Dr. Neubauer is known for its innovation in rubbers, particularly long pimples and anti-spin, the Barricade DEF blade itself is a testament to traditional wood craftsmanship focused on optimizing the defensive player's game.
Similar Blades
TSP Balsa
These blades are potential alternatives due to their balsa core construction, which shares some characteristics with Barricade DEF's feel and lightness. However, the TSP Balsa lineup is generally considered to be faster than Barricade DEF.
Galaxy Balsa 6
This blade is suggested as a potential clone of Barricade DEF and is available in both large and small sizes. It aims to replicate the characteristics of Barricade DEF, particularly its dampening and control, though availability might be a factor.
Dr. Neubauer Grand Master
This blade is mentioned as a similarly extremely slow defensive blade but without a balsa core, offering an alternative for players seeking a very slow option without the specific feel of balsa wood.