Weight
88g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Yinhe M101
Yinhe M101 is a hybrid offensive blade designed for modern all-round players. It combines five wood layers with two Polyethylene-Carbon (PLC) layers to deliver a blend of speed, control, and a unique feel. Limba outer plies contribute to a softer touch and deeper ball dwell, making it excellent for close-to-table play and aggressive topspin. This construction offers a more accessible alternative to high-end European blades, providing significant performance at a competitive price. Recommended for intermediate to advanced players seeking versatility and a crisp yet forgiving playing experience.
Yinhe M101 features a 7-layer construction consisting of an outer Limba ply, followed by a Polyethylene-Carbon (PLC) layer, then an Ayous middle ply, a Kiri core ply, another Ayous middle ply, a second PLC layer, and finally an inner Limba ply. This hybrid design aims to blend the characteristics of wood with the added stiffness and speed of carbon fibers, with the PLC offering a distinct feel and performance profile compared to traditional Arylate-Carbon.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Yinhe M101 is a very fast blade, consistently scoring high marks. With a speed rating around 9.5 to 9.7, it offers significant power for offensive shots, allowing players to generate high-velocity topspins and powerful drives. This speed makes it suitable for aggressive playstyles, especially close to the table.
Despite its high speed, Yinhe M101 maintains a strong control rating, typically around 9.0. This balance suggests the blade provides ample feedback and predictability, allowing players to execute precise shots, engage in short game tactics, and manage defensive situations effectively even with its offensive capabilities.
M101 is described as having a softer feel compared to many carbon blades, with a deep dwell time that allows the ball to 'hug' the blade. The Limba outer plies and the specific nature of the PLC material contribute to this characteristic, providing a crisp yet forgiving sensation, especially noticeable in the index finger during impact.
The blade is noted for producing a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for generating steep, attacking topspin shots. This characteristic helps in clearing the net with authority and putting significant pressure on the opponent with aggressive offensive strokes.
The blade offers a significant dwell time, allowing players to feel the ball on the racket for longer. This is attributed to the combination of wood layers and the PLC material, which contributes to a deeper ball pocketing and enhanced spin generation capabilities, especially beneficial for players who rely on spin-oriented attacks.
With a rating of 7.0, Yinhe M101 is considered to have medium flexibility. This characteristic allows for a good blend of power and control, enabling players to flex the blade slightly on heavier shots for added power and spin, while still retaining a degree of stiffness for directness and speed.
Yinhe M101 exhibits a medium level of vibration. While it's a fast blade, the construction, including the PLC and wood layers, helps to manage excessive harshness, providing a balanced feedback that is noticeable but not overwhelming. This allows players to feel the ball's contact without discomfort.
Yinhe M101 is generally regarded as a blade of good quality, especially considering its competitive price. Players report its solid construction and consistent performance, which is a hallmark of Yinhe's reputation for offering excellent value in the table tennis market. While not matching the premium finish of top-tier Japanese or European brands, its build quality is more than sufficient for its performance class.
Technology
Yinhe M101 features the 'Mars' series technology, utilizing Polyethylene-Carbon (PLC) as its composite fiber. Developed by Yinhe, PLC is designed to offer a less stiff feel than traditional carbon fiber while enhancing elasticity and speed. The 'Mars' series, including the M101, was introduced in 2017, aiming to provide high-performance blades with unique material compositions at accessible price points. M101 specifically uses PLC in an outer ply configuration, combined with Limba top layers, to achieve a balance of speed, dwell time, and a distinct playing sensation.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Yinhe M101 is frequently compared to the Butterfly Viscaria due to similar construction and performance characteristics, particularly its speed and offensive capabilities. Both blades feature a combination of wood and carbon-like materials, aiming for powerful topspin play. However, M101 is noted to be softer and offer deeper ball dwell, providing a different feel and potentially more control in certain aspects, while the Viscaria is often described as crisper and bouncier.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
Similar to the Viscaria, Yinhe M101 is often seen as an affordable alternative to the Timo Boll ALC. Both blades are designed for aggressive, spin-oriented play and feature a hybrid construction. While the Timo Boll ALC is a benchmark for high-performance offensive blades, M101 aims to replicate its speed and spin potential with its PLC material and Limba outer plies, offering a comparable offensive experience at a significantly lower cost.
Yinhe Pro-01
Yinhe Pro-01 is another blade in Yinhe's lineup that is sometimes compared to high-end Butterfly blades like the Viscaria. While the Pro-01 features an ALC outer layer and Koto top ply, M101 has a PLC outer layer and Limba top ply. Many players find the Pro-01 might be closer to the Viscaria in terms of crispness, while M101 offers a softer feel and deeper dwell time, making them distinct but both viable offensive options from Yinhe.