Weight
80g
Thickness
5.55mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
164x155
Handles
ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Toni Hold White Spot
JOOLA Toni Hold White Spot is a classic 5-ply all-wood defensive blade crafted for players who prioritize exceptional control and feel. Its soft poplar veneers deliver a noticeably softer touch and extended dwell time, making it ideal for defensive maneuvers like chopping and blocking. This design allows for precise placement and effective absorption of incoming power, excelling with anti-spin rubbers. While inherently slow for strategic pace control, it offers surprising versatility for controlled offensive plays when opportunities arise.
The blade is constructed from five layers of soft poplar wood. This symmetrical all-wood construction is key to its characteristic soft feel, long dwell time, and excellent control, making it ideal for defensive play and absorbing opponent's pace.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Toni Hold White Spot is intentionally designed as a slow blade, prioritizing control over raw speed. This low speed rating reflects its primary function as a defensive tool, excellent for absorbing pace and controlling the game. While not ideal for powerful attacks, it allows for controlled offensive shots when needed, making it a strategic choice for players who dictate rallies through placement rather than power.
Control is the standout feature of Toni Hold White Spot, with ratings consistently high across expert and user reviews. Its soft poplar construction and long dwell time allow for exceptional ball feeling and precision, enabling players to execute precise chops, blocks, and placement shots with confidence. This level of control makes it a top choice for defensive specialists and players using anti-spin rubbers.
The blade offers a distinctly soft and elastic feel due to its all-poplar wood construction. This provides excellent feedback, allowing players to sense the ball's contact and trajectory precisely, which is crucial for control-oriented play and executing delicate defensive shots.
While primarily defensive, the blade's flexibility and long dwell time allow for a medium-high throw angle, particularly on controlled attacking shots and serves. This aids in spin placement and helps in creating effective offensive opportunities from a defensive foundation.
The soft poplar veneers create a significant dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade's surface. This extended contact time enhances control and spin generation, particularly for defensive shots like chops and controlled attacks, giving players more time to manipulate the ball.
Toni Hold White Spot is a highly flexible blade. This flexibility aids in absorbing speed and generating spin, allowing for a more controlled and feeling-oriented game. It bends easily upon impact, which helps in cushioning powerful shots and adding dwell time for tactical placement.
The blade exhibits very low vibration, contributing to its exceptional control and comfortable feel. The soft wood construction absorbs most of the impact shock, providing a smooth playing experience that reduces fatigue and increases precision during long defensive rallies.
Toni Hold White Spot is known for its consistent quality and durability, as evidenced by its long production run with minimal changes. Players frequently praise its excellent feel and construction, especially considering its defensive capabilities. The blade offers reliable performance and a well-crafted finish that meets the demands of control-oriented play.
Technology
JOOLA Toni Hold White Spot utilizes a classic 5-ply all-wood construction, with each layer composed of soft and elastic poplar veneers. This specific material choice is fundamental to the blade's performance characteristics. The poplar wood's inherent properties result in a soft touch, extended ball dwell time, and a significant reduction in vibration, all crucial for a high-control defensive game. The design emphasizes maximum absorption of pace and precise ball placement, making it particularly effective when paired with anti-spin rubbers and for close-to-the-table defensive tactics. Its consistent manufacturing over many years speaks to its established efficacy in its niche.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Toni Hold
Toni Hold is a former German professional table tennis player and a renowned defensive specialist. He is the namesake for this blade, which was designed to complement his defensive style of play. The blade's characteristics of extreme control, soft feel, and long dwell time are directly aligned with Toni Hold's strategy of patient, precise defense, effective chopping, and utilizing anti-spin rubbers to neutralize opponent's attacks. The 'White Spot' designation likely refers to a specific version emphasizing these defensive qualities.
Similar Blades
JOOLA Chen Defender
JOOLA Chen Defender is mentioned as a similar and possibly better alternative, noting shared lineage or design philosophy focused on defensive play. Both blades emphasize control and feel, likely constructed with soft wood plies to achieve similar playing characteristics for defensive players seeking reliable performance.
Donic Defplay
Donic Defplay is suggested as an alternative that offers more speed and less absorption while maintaining good control. This makes it a viable option for players seeking a slightly more dynamic but still control-oriented defensive blade, providing a different balance between pace and precision for chopping and defensive play.