Weight
85.5g
Thickness
5.65mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Azalea Allround
Stiga Azalea Allround is a 5-ply all-wood table tennis blade celebrated for its exceptional feel, control, and lightweight design. Developed in collaboration with Japanese female players, it embodies a philosophy of balanced play, emphasizing a soft touch for controlled strokes. Handcrafted in Sweden, this blade features a smooth top surface and an even softer second layer, enhancing its tactile feedback and making it ideal for players who value precision and spin. Its construction is specifically tuned for the modern ABS ball, offering a perfect synergy of speed, weight, and control suitable for a wide range of playing styles, from beginners to intermediate players.
This 5-ply all-wood construction with Limba outer layers and Ayous inner plies creates a soft feel, good dwell time, and excellent control, characteristic of a classic allround blade, with a focus on tactile feedback and spin generation.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Stiga Azalea Allround offers a speed rating that leans towards the higher end of the allround spectrum. While not a blade for extreme offensive power, it provides sufficient speed for aggressive shots, especially when used close to the table. Its design prioritizes control and feel, meaning speed is a secondary characteristic, but it performs capably for its class, often feeling faster than its rating due to its excellent dwell time and feedback.
Control is the hallmark of Stiga Azalea Allround. Its exceptional rating stems from its soft feel, ample dwell time, and balanced construction, allowing for precise placement and consistent execution of shots. This makes it ideal for players developing their technique, executing spin-focused rallies, and maintaining consistency even under pressure.
Azalea Allround is renowned for its soft and direct feel, offering excellent ball-hand feedback. This characteristic is achieved through its all-wood construction with a softer second layer, providing a comfortable touch and enabling players to feel the ball's interaction with the blade clearly. This direct feel aids in shot development and precise control.
Azalea Allround generally produces a medium-high throw angle when looping. This characteristic is advantageous for clearing the net consistently, especially against backspin, and for developing spinny shots with a high arc.
The blade offers a significant dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade face, which is crucial for generating heavy spin. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for players who rely on brushing the ball during forehand and backhand loops, enabling them to impart maximum spin and achieve a high arc over the net.
The blade exhibits a medium level of flexibility. This allows for good ball compression during strokes, contributing to spin generation and a softer feel. While not excessively flexible, it offers enough flex to enhance the feeling of the ball and support a spin-oriented game.
Stiga Azalea Allround provides a low to medium level of vibration. While it offers clear feedback, the vibrations are well-managed, contributing to a comfortable playing experience. This controlled vibration profile enhances control and reduces hand fatigue during long sessions.
Stiga Azalea Allround is consistently praised for its high quality, reflecting Stiga's reputation for excellent craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Sweden, the blade exhibits superior materials and construction. This attention to detail results in a durable blade with a premium feel, making it a joy to play with and a reliable piece of equipment.
Technology
Stiga Azalea Allround is a testament to Stiga's commitment to quality craftsmanship, with each blade being handcrafted in Sweden. It utilizes a 5-ply all-wood construction, featuring Limba outer veneers and Ayous inner plies. This specific wood combination is chosen to maximize control, dwell time, and a soft, tactile feel, directly benefiting players focused on spin and precision. The design is influenced by Japanese table tennis culture and developed in collaboration with female players, emphasizing lightweight construction and outstanding feedback. It is also engineered to perform optimally with the modern ABS ball, ensuring consistent performance in contemporary table tennis.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Evolution
Stiga Allround Evolution is often mentioned as a contemporary alternative to classic allround blades and shares similarities with the Azalea Allround in its focus on control and feel. While both are 5-ply all-wood blades, the Evolution might offer slightly different speed characteristics and feel, catering to players seeking a modern interpretation of an allround game.
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is a legendary blade known for its exceptional control and feel. The Azalea Allround can be seen as a more modern evolution of this classic concept, offering a potentially lighter weight and slightly more refined feel tailored for the current ABS ball, while retaining the core allround attributes.