Weight
88g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x151
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Drinkhall Offensive Classic
Tibhar Drinkhall Offensive Classic is a 5-ply all-wood blade designed for players who want to step up their attacking game. Developed with professional player Paul Drinkhall, it delivers a direct feel and enhanced speed for powerful topspins and smashes, while maintaining impressive control. The blade offers a satisfying sound and consistent performance, making it a reliable choice for intermediate to advanced players looking to add more kick to their shots without sacrificing precision.
The blade is constructed from 5 plies of wood. Specific wood types for each layer are not detailed, though the wood plies undergo a special seasoning process to enhance consistency, power, and feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Tibhar Drinkhall Offensive Classic is rated as an OFF- blade, offering fast performance suitable for offensive play. Our testing shows it provides more speed and zip than all-round blades, delivering ample power for aggressive topspin and smashes. While not reaching the extreme speeds of some composite blades, it gives players the acceleration needed for attacking tactics while keeping the game manageable.
Despite its offensive capabilities, Drinkhall Offensive Classic delivers exceptional control. Players report a direct trajectory and excellent feel that allows for precise shot placement. The blade handles powerful rubbers well and maintains stability during aggressive rallies, making it perfect for controlled attacking play where placement matters as much as power.
Drinkhall Offensive Classic offers a balanced feel that combines direct feedback with good ball sensation. Players describe it as having a nice feel with some softness in the touch, yet maintaining a solid, direct nature. This medium feel provides sufficient feedback for touch shots while remaining responsive for powerful attacks.
Given its offensive focus, Drinkhall Offensive Classic produces a medium-high throw angle that helps create good arc on attacking shots. This trajectory aids in clearing the net and landing balls deep on the opponent's side, especially when paired with spin-oriented rubbers.
The blade provides excellent dwell time that helps players generate significant spin. This extended contact allows for better brush contact on topspin strokes and serves, making it particularly effective for spin-oriented attacking play.
This blade features medium stiffness with good flex that contributes to its balanced performance. The flexibility allows for adequate dwell time and spin generation while maintaining enough rigidity to produce speed for attacking shots.
Drinkhall Offensive Classic delivers moderate vibration that provides good feedback without being harsh. The direct nature and crisp sound on power shots indicate some vibration is present, contributing to the feel and power transfer, but it's not uncomfortable or distracting during play.
Drinkhall Offensive Classic features solid construction with a pleasant feel and modern blue design. TTSensei experts note the blade shows good craftsmanship with no rough edges or surfaces. The special seasoning process applied to the wood plies enhances consistency and durability, contributing to reliable performance over time.
Technology
Tibhar Drinkhall Offensive Classic features a 5-ply all-wood construction where the wood plies undergo a special seasoning process. This treatment enhances the blade's consistency, power, and overall feel, creating a balance between directness and satisfying tactile response. Developed in collaboration with professional player Paul Drinkhall, the blade is engineered to meet modern offensive play demands, providing both speed and control for various attacking shots while maintaining excellent feedback.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Paul Drinkhall
Paul Drinkhall, a prominent British table tennis player, collaborated on the development of this blade series. The blade is designed to suit his aggressive, spin-oriented playing style, offering the power and control needed for fast counter-topspin rallies and powerful smashes. While he may have used it during certain career periods, his primary involvement was in shaping the blade's characteristics for modern offensive play.
Similar Blades
Stiga Offensive Classic
Stiga Offensive Classic is another popular 5-ply all-wood blade often recommended for offensive play. Both blades share the 'Offensive Classic' designation and balance speed with control. TTSensei experts note that Drinkhall Offensive Classic may feel slightly faster and more direct compared to Stiga's version, which often has a softer feel and more dwell time.
Tibhar IV-S
Tibhar IV-S is a 5-ply all-wood blade that has been popular among offensive players. While IV-S is known for its power and good feel, Drinkhall Offensive Classic represents a more modern iteration with potentially improved speed and a more direct response tailored for contemporary offensive strategies. Both are highly regarded all-wood offensive options from Tibhar.