Weight
85g
Thickness
6.4mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
156x149
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Way 005
Palio Way 005 is a 7-ply all-wood offensive blade built for the modern game. Its construction combines hard black walnut outer plies with an ayous core, delivering a stiff, crisp feel that excels in close-to-the-table attacks and aggressive looping. Designed for the 40+ ball, it enhances spin generation while providing a direct connection and exceptional control, making it a reliable choice for intermediate to advanced players who value precision and feedback.
The 7-ply all-wood construction features hard black walnut on both the outer and inner plies, with ayous forming the central core. This combination creates a stiff blade that delivers direct feedback and excellent control, while the hard outer plies contribute a crisp feel and good elasticity.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Palio Way 005 delivers solid speed for an all-wood blade, fitting for offensive play. It doesn't match the explosive power of composite blades, but its construction supports fast attacks, especially for players operating close to the table. The stiff nature contributes to its offensive capability without introducing an excessive catapult effect.
Control is a standout feature. The stiff feel and direct feedback provide outstanding precision, making accurate ball placement straightforward. This makes the blade highly suitable for players who rely on consistent placement and control, even during the most aggressive rallies.
The blade delivers a hard and crisp feel, a result of its 7-ply construction and hard black walnut outer plies. This provides direct feedback on ball impact, allowing for precise adjustments. Players often describe it as one of the hardest-feeling 7-ply all-wood blades, which significantly aids its controllability.
The throw angle is medium, which is common for stiff, all-wood offensive blades. This provides a good balance for executing both topspin loops and flat drives, enabling aggressive attacks without the ball consistently sailing long.
The 7-ply construction with hard outer plies suggests a medium to medium-high dwell time. This allows for effective spin generation on serves and topspin shots while maintaining the crisp feel needed for controlled blocks and flat hits. The dwell is sufficient to grip the ball well for spin.
Palio Way 005 is a very stiff blade. This stiffness is a defining trait, contributing directly to its control and direct feel. It offers minimal flex, which is advantageous for fast, close-to-the-table play and for executing precise shots without the blade bending much.
The stiff nature of the blade suggests a moderate level of vibration. While the hard wood construction limits excessive flex, some vibration is present, contributing to the direct feel of the ball. This is typical for stiff, all-wood offensive blades and helps in sensing impact.
Our assessment finds the Palio Way 005 to be a well-constructed blade offering good value. It uses pure wood materials like black walnut and ayous, known for their durability and performance in table tennis. The build is solid and reliable for its intended offensive purpose.
Technology
Palio Way 005 is a 7-ply all-wood blade constructed from pure wood. It features hard black walnut for the outer and inner layers, with ayous wood forming the core. This specific layering is optimized for the modern 40+ ball, aiming to enhance spin generation and overall performance. The use of these high-quality, sustainably sourced woods contributes to the blade's durability and consistent play. The manufacturing process focuses on carefully gluing the layers to achieve optimal stiffness and responsiveness, resulting in a blade renowned for its exceptional feel and control for offensive play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ma Lin
While not definitively confirmed for this specific model, community discussions note that top professionals like Ma Lin have used blades featuring walnut. The Palio Way 005's construction with black walnut outer plies aligns with the type of material characteristics—such as a stiff feel and good elasticity for powerful strokes—that elite players often seek.
Xu Xin
Similar to Ma Lin, Xu Xin is also mentioned in discussions regarding the use of walnut in blades. The Palio Way 005's use of black walnut places it within a category of materials known to be favored by elite players for specific playing traits, including a crisp feel and control suitable for high-level offensive play.
Similar Blades
Palio Way 004
Palio Way 004 is another 7-ply all-wood offensive blade from the same series, suggesting a similar construction philosophy. It likely offers a comparable performance profile in speed and control but may differ subtly in the specific wood types used, resulting in variations in stiffness, dwell time, or overall feel.
Palio Way 006
As part of the Palio Way series, the Way 006 is also an all-wood blade built for offense. While specific construction details may vary, it is designed to deliver a similar playing experience focused on offensive capabilities, likely with nuanced differences in speed, control, or feel compared to the Way 005.