Weight
84g
Thickness
5.6mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Drinkhall Allround Classic
Tibhar Drinkhall Allround Classic is a meticulously crafted 5-ply all-wood blade designed for players who prioritize control, feel, and consistency. Developed with British professional Paul Drinkhall, it delivers a traditional allround experience with enhanced dwell time for effective spin generation and precise placement. Its harmonious blend of Ayous and Limba woods creates a soft feel and excellent feedback. This blade is an ideal choice for developing and intermediate players looking to refine their strokes, execute accurate shots, and build a solid foundation. It offers a balanced playing experience, versatile for powerful topspins and precise short game tactics.
This 5-ply all-wood construction uses Limba for the outer plies, providing a soft touch and good spin-carrying capability, while the Ayous inner plies contribute to the blade's overall feel, flexibility, and control. This combination is typical for classic allround blades, aiming for a balance between feel and directness.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Tibhar Drinkhall Allround Classic offers a speed rating around 7.0 out of 10. As an allround blade, it provides enough pace for developing offensive play, especially when paired with modern rubbers. It's not designed for raw power like offensive or carbon blades, but delivers adequate acceleration for spin-based attacks and controlled rallies, making it versatile for various playing styles.
Control is the standout feature of the Drinkhall Allround Classic. Its soft feel, significant dwell time, and excellent feedback allow you to place the ball with exceptional accuracy. It's ideal for players who rely on precise placement, consistent blocking, and spin variations, offering a forgiving platform for skill development.
The combination of Limba and Ayous wood layers creates a soft to medium-soft feel. This characteristic provides excellent ball feedback and significant dwell time, allowing players to feel the ball on the blade and impart more spin. It delivers a comfortable, responsive touch that enhances control during rallies.
With its emphasis on control and dwell time, the blade tends to produce a medium-high throw angle. This characteristic is beneficial for generating heavy spin on topspin shots and clearing the net comfortably, supporting offensive play with good margin for error.
The blade offers exceptional dwell time, a key factor contributing to its high control and spin-generating capabilities. This allows the ball to sink into the wood, giving players more time to control and manipulate their shots, particularly effective for looping and counter-topspin maneuvers.
The blade features good flex that complements its dwell time and control. This flexibility allows for deeper ball pocketing during strokes, enhancing spin generation and providing a comfortable, responsive feel during rallies and defensive exchanges.
Some players describe a slightly hollow feel with moderate vibrations, which is typical for all-wood blades and contributes to the feeling of the ball. These vibrations are generally not excessive and add to the overall feedback and control the blade offers, providing useful tactile information during play.
The blade is generally praised for its build quality, with a pleasant feel and consistent construction. Players report good durability and a solid finish for its price range, making it a reliable option for developing players. While some note variations in surface finish, the overall consensus points toward good craftsmanship that holds up well over time.
Technology
Tibhar Drinkhall Allround Classic employs a traditional 5-ply all-wood construction, a design philosophy that has been a cornerstone of table tennis blade manufacturing for decades. The composition utilizes Limba for the outer plies and Ayous for the inner core plies. Limba wood is known for its soft feel and ability to impart spin, while Ayous provides a good balance of flexibility and responsiveness. This specific combination maximizes ball control, enhances dwell time, and provides excellent feedback to the player, allowing for precise stroke execution and consistent spin. The blade focuses purely on the inherent qualities of wood to deliver a classic allround playing experience without advanced composite materials.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Paul Drinkhall
Paul Drinkhall, a professional table tennis player from Great Britain, has his name associated with this blade, indicating it was developed in collaboration with him. The blade is designed to reflect his playing style, which emphasizes control, spin, and consistent allround play. While it's his signature blade, it's positioned for developing and intermediate players rather than exclusively for elite professionals, suggesting it offers a solid foundation that even a top player might appreciate for training or specific aspects of their game requiring high control and feel.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Classic
Tibhar Drinkhall Allround Classic is frequently compared to the legendary Stiga Allround Classic. Both blades share a similar 5-ply all-wood construction, often featuring Limba and Ayous or similar woods, and are renowned for their exceptional control, feel, and dwell time. The Drinkhall Allround Classic is seen as a modern interpretation or direct competitor, aiming to offer a comparable playing experience with a focus on developing players seeking classic allround performance.