Plies
5-ply
Head Size
155x151
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Kjell Johannson
Stiga Kjell Johansson is a legendary all-wood blade steeped in table tennis history, celebrated for its exceptional control and classic feel. This vintage Swedish blade offers a balanced playing experience that merges offensive capability with defensive precision. Its distinctive conic handle provides a uniquely comfortable and secure grip. While considered a collector's piece, it remains sought after by players who value the distinct touch, sound, and craftsmanship of traditional all-wood designs over modern composites.
This is a 5-ply all-wood construction. Different historical versions existed with variations in the second veneer (such as dyed limba, hard padauk, or pine), which could subtly affect playing characteristics. This layered wood build contributes to the blade's balanced feel, good dwell time, and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Stiga Kjell Johansson is primarily an all-round blade with moderate speed. By modern standards, it sits in the all-round to slow-offensive category. While it can generate decent pace with modern rubbers, its core speed relies more on player input and technique than inherent blade propulsion.
Control is the standout feature of this blade. Its all-wood construction delivers excellent feedback and a generous sweet spot, enabling precise shot-making and consistent placement. This makes it an ideal choice for players developing their skills or those whose game relies on spin and tactical accuracy.
The feel offers a good balance between directness and flex, providing a distinct wooden sensation with noticeable vibration for clear feedback. Players often describe it as having a classic, solid touch that communicates ball contact effectively.
With its combination of good dwell time and moderate stiffness, the blade generally produces a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for generating topspin and effective looping play.
The 5-ply all-wood construction provides good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This enhances spin generation and offers a softer feel for control-oriented shots, which is crucial for developing spin-heavy techniques.
The blade has a stiffer, harder feel, indicating lower overall flexibility. This contributes to its direct response and ability to punch through slower balls, while the inherent dwell time of the wood still allows for controlled looping.
Players report above-average vibration, which translates to excellent feedback and feel. This helps players intuitively understand the contact point and make micro-adjustments to their strokes, contributing significantly to the blade's high control rating.
Vintage Stiga blades are renowned for their robust construction and high-quality wood selection. The Kjell Johansson exemplifies this craftsmanship, with many examples remaining in good playing condition despite their age. However, as a vintage item, individual blade condition can vary.
Technology
Stiga Kjell Johansson embodies classic Swedish table tennis engineering. Its construction relies on meticulous selection and layering of high-quality wood plies, a hallmark of Stiga's golden era. The absence of modern composites emphasizes a pure, traditional playing feel that prioritizes dwell time, control, and feedback. The distinctive conic handle is a key ergonomic design, offering a unique grip profile that bridges the gap between straight and flared handles to enhance player comfort and in-hand control.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kjell Johansson
Kjell Johansson was a Swedish table tennis legend who won multiple World and European Championship titles. While this blade bears his name and embodies the all-round, controlled offensive style that characterized his successful career, specific documented usage of this exact model during his prime is not widely available. His aggressive yet precise play would have benefited greatly from a blade offering such exceptional control and spin capability.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is another iconic all-wood blade that shares many characteristics with the Kjell Johansson. Both are renowned for exceptional control, good dwell time, and suitability for all-round play. The Allround Classic is more widely available today and is often considered a benchmark for all-round blades, making it an excellent modern alternative for players seeking a similar feel and performance profile.
Stellan Bengtsson
The Stellan Bengtsson blade is a vintage Stiga offering often mentioned alongside the Kjell Johansson. While the Kjell Johansson is known for its conic handle, the Stellan Bengtsson typically features a straight handle. Both blades are celebrated for their all-wood construction and excellent control, appealing strongly to players who prefer a classic feel and balanced performance.