Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x161
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Strategy
Hallmark Strategy is a 5-ply all-wood defensive blade built for players who prioritize control and spin manipulation. Its slower playing speed makes it ideal for close-to-the-table play, especially when paired with long pips rubbers. The blade excels at absorbing incoming speed and spin, allowing for precise placement and enabling defenders to control the game's tempo. While offering excellent control for blocking and chopping, it provides enough power for controlled counter-attacks and topspin shots, supporting a modern and unpredictable defensive style.
A standard 5-ply all-wood construction, typical for defensive blades, providing a good balance of control, feel, and flexibility. The construction aims to absorb speed and maximize dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Hallmark Strategy is rated as a slow blade, designed for defensive play. Its speed rating reflects its primary function of absorbing pace rather than generating it. While not an attacking blade, it offers enough speed for controlled counter-attacks and occasional offensive shots.
Control is the standout feature of Hallmark Strategy. Its high rating highlights an exceptional ability to place the ball accurately and absorb incoming pace. This makes it ideal for defensive players who rely on precise placement, blocking, and chop variations.
The blade offers a soft to medium-soft feel, which contributes to its high dwell time and control. This feel allows players to impart spin effectively and absorb the impact of fast incoming balls without excessive vibration.
Given its defensive nature and focus on control and absorbing pace, Hallmark Strategy produces a medium-low to medium throw angle. This allows for flatter trajectories on chops and more controlled resets.
Hallmark Strategy provides significant dwell time, allowing the ball to grip the blade longer. This is crucial for defensive players to generate spin on chops and blocks and for absorbing pace effectively.
The blade possesses a moderate level of flexibility, which aids in its ability to absorb pace and provide dwell time. This flexibility is key to its defensive capabilities, allowing for controlled arcs on chops and effective blocking.
While some vibration is present, it's generally described as manageable and contributes to the blade's feel. The handle construction appears to mitigate excessive jarring, providing a comfortable playing experience.
Hallmark Strategy is generally regarded as a well-constructed defensive blade. The consistent 5-ply all-wood build suggests good durability for its intended purpose. Players often recommend sealing the blade to prevent potential splintering, which is common for many wood blades.
Technology
Hallmark Strategy uses a traditional 5-ply all-wood construction. The emphasis is on careful selection of wood plies to achieve a slower speed rating while maximizing control and dwell time. This classic construction method allows for a natural feel and excellent vibration dampening, which are critical for defensive play. Hallmark, a brand originating from the UK, has a history of producing equipment for defensive players, and the Strategy embodies this philosophy through its straightforward, yet effective, material choices.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Carl Prean
Carl Prean, a notable British table tennis player, was associated with Hallmark products in the past. Hallmark's reputation for producing quality defensive equipment suggests that players like Prean likely utilized their blades for defensive strategies during their careers.
Similar Blades
Hallmark Aurora
Hallmark Aurora is another defensive blade from Hallmark. Like the Strategy, it is praised for its control and suitability for defensive play, often used with long pips. It offers a balanced feel and is a reliable defensive platform.
Victas Koji Matsushita Defensive
Victas Koji Matsushita Defensive is a high-quality 5-ply all-wood blade specifically designed for modern defensive play. It shares similarities with Hallmark Strategy in its focus on control, dwell time, and ability to handle long pips rubbers, offering a solid foundation for spin-oriented defensive tactics.