Thickness
4.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
153x154
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Kung Fu
Dr. Neubauer Kung Fu is a specialized 7-ply all-wood blade engineered for combination players who use anti-spin and pimpled-out rubbers. It delivers maximum disruptive effect through exceptional spin reversal and very short, low returns on blocks against topspin. With a softer feel than its sibling, the Gladiator, it offers enhanced control and good ball feel while still enabling powerful attacking shots like hitting and looping. This blade excels in close-to-the-table play, giving players a distinct advantage in disrupting their opponent's rhythm without relying on balsa wood construction.
The blade is constructed from seven layers of wood, specifically excluding balsa wood. This composition contributes to its softer feel, enhanced control, and the distinct disruptive effect it offers. The exact type of wood for each ply is not specified.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kung Fu is rated as an Allround blade in terms of speed. While it can be used for attacking shots, its primary design isn't for high-speed offensive play. Its speed is characterized as slow and elastic, making it suitable for controlled blocking and defensive maneuvers.
Control is a standout feature of the Kung Fu. Our testing shows it offers superior control compared to the Gladiator blade and is specifically optimized for use with anti-spin and pimpled-out rubbers. This enhances a player's ability to place the ball precisely and disrupt the opponent consistently.
Kung Fu is consistently described as a softer blade. This softer feel contributes to its excellent control and dwell time, allowing for precise placement and effective blocking, which is crucial for its disruptive play style.
Given its focus on close-to-the-table blocking and disruptive play, the Kung Fu has a medium-low throw angle. This facilitates controlled, low returns over the net, which is essential for its defensive and disruptive capabilities.
The softer, more elastic nature of the Kung Fu, combined with its 7-ply wood construction, provides a longer ball dwell time. This extended contact allows for greater control over placement and spin, particularly beneficial for players using anti-spin and long pimple rubbers.
Kung Fu is characterized by its flexibility, often described as soft and sensitive. This pliability allows for enhanced ball control and dwell time, which is crucial for generating the spin reversal and disruptive effects it's known for close to the table.
Players report that the blade can exhibit noticeable vibration during powerful strokes. This suggests a medium level of vibration, which some may perceive as useful feedback, while others seeking a completely dead feel might note it as a characteristic.
The Kung Fu is generally described as a high-quality blade. While detailed craftsmanship specifics are limited, its performance characteristics and player satisfaction with its specialized capabilities imply good construction. It's consistently noted as a well-made 7-ply wood composition.
Technology
Dr. Neubauer Kung Fu blade exemplifies specialized material engineering. Its core innovation is a 7-ply all-wood construction that deliberately excludes balsa wood. This specific composition is optimized to work synergistically with anti-spin and pimpled-out rubbers. The design focuses on maximizing spin reversal and creating a disruptive effect through exceptionally short and low ball returns during blocks against topspin. This enables players to maintain a strong disruptive presence close to the table while still having the capacity for controlled offensive actions. The emphasis on a softer feel and enhanced control over raw speed is the key technological characteristic defining its unique playing properties.
Similar Blades
Dr. Neubauer Gladiator
Dr. Neubauer Gladiator is frequently mentioned as a comparable blade. The Gladiator is described as stiffer and slightly faster, offering more offensive potential for hitting and looping from both close and mid-distances. While both are designed for combination play, the Gladiator leans more towards an offensive-defensive balance, whereas the Kung Fu is more specialized for control and disruption close to the table with anti-spin and long pimples.
TSP Balsa Plus 3.5
Some players note the Kung Fu has a similar feeling and speed to the TSP Balsa Plus 3.5. However, a key differentiator is the core material: the Kung Fu deliberately avoids balsa wood in its construction, while the TSP blade incorporates it. This comparison often positions the Kung Fu within a specialized niche for disruptive play.