Weight
88g
Thickness
6.3mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157.5x151
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
S4
Palio S4 is a 7-ply all-wood table tennis blade crafted for players who want a harmonious blend of control and speed. It delivers a balanced performance ideal for all-round play, making it a fantastic choice for developing players honing their technique and intermediates seeking reliable power. Known for its consistent feel and generous dwell time, it excels at generating spin on serves and during rallies. This blade offers a classic wooden sensation with modern performance, creating a solid platform that bridges defensive stability with offensive potential for a versatile playing experience.
The blade is constructed with seven layers of pure wood. This 7-ply all-wood build is typical for blades aiming to provide a good balance of speed, control, and feel. The multiple wood layers contribute to a softer feel and increased dwell time compared to composite blades, allowing for better ball feedback and spin generation.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Palio S4 offers a speed rating that leans towards the offensive side of all-round play. While not as explosive as many composite blades, it provides ample pace for aggressive shots and counter-attacks. The 7-ply wood construction gives a solid foundation for generating speed, especially when paired with faster rubbers. Players report it feels a bit quicker than some other classic all-round blades, making it suitable for those transitioning to a more attacking game.
Control is a significant strength of the Palio S4. Its 7-ply wood composition delivers excellent ball feedback and dwell time, allowing players to feel the ball and place shots with precision. This makes it ideal for developing players working on technique and consistency. Even when paired with more expansive rubbers, it maintains good control for intermediate players, offering a forgiving and predictable response.
Palio S4 provides a medium-soft to medium feel. The 7-ply wood construction offers good dwell time and palpable feedback, letting players feel the ball on the racket face. This creates a forgiving and enjoyable, connected sensation that appeals to those who prefer a classic table tennis touch.
The combination of good dwell time and the ALL+ speed rating means Palio S4 likely produces a medium-high throw angle. This is particularly beneficial for looping and clearing the net with safety, giving shots a good arc and margin for error.
The all-wood, 7-ply construction results in a good amount of dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the rubber and blade surface, which significantly aids spin generation and provides a more controlled, connected feel during strokes like loops and blocks.
As an ALL+ blade with good dwell time and a soft feel, Palio S4 has a moderate, medium flexibility. This allows for a effective combination of power on drives and control on touch shots, making it adaptable to various playing styles and strokes.
The medium-soft feel and good control suggest medium levels of vibration. This means the blade transmits sufficient, clear feedback to the player's hand without being overly harsh or numbing, offering a comfortable playing experience.
Palio S4 is generally regarded as having good build quality for its price point. Players report high consistency, suggesting reliable manufacturing where each blade performs as expected. The solid all-wood construction contributes to its durability and stable performance over time, making it a trustworthy piece of equipment for regular play.
Technology
Palio S4 utilizes a traditional 7-ply all-wood construction. This time-tested method involves layering multiple thin sheets of wood, which are compressed and bonded together to create the blade's structure. This approach is favored for delivering a classic table tennis feel, generous dwell time for spin, and balanced performance. Unlike blades with composite materials, the S4 relies solely on wood to achieve its playing properties, making it a reliable choice for players who prefer a natural, responsive, and connected sensation in their game.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is a benchmark for ALL blades, renowned for its excellent control, feel, and balance. Like the Palio S4, it's an all-wood blade suitable for developing players. While the S4 has 7 plies and is rated ALL+, the Allround Classic is a 5-ply blade typically rated ALL, offering a slightly softer feel and potentially more control. It's a good comparison for players who might find the S4 a bit too fast or prefer a more classic, controlled all-wood experience.
Donic Appelgren Allplay
Donic Appelgren Allplay is another highly respected 5-ply all-wood blade that is a staple for all-round play. It offers a similar balance of speed and control to the Palio S4, but with a slightly different feel due to its 5-ply construction versus the S4's 7-ply. Players looking for a blade with good dwell time and control for developing technique might consider both, with the S4 generally offering a bit more inherent speed due to its extra layers.