Weight
82.5g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
E. Lebesson
Tibhar E. Lebesson is a 5-ply all-wood blade crafted for the modern attacker. Developed with European Champion Emmanuel Lebesson, it embodies the aggressive French style, focusing on continuous pressure and swift action. This blade offers enhanced speed over traditional all-round models while maintaining excellent control and a pleasant, woody feel. It's designed to support powerful topspins, effective smashes, and controlled defensive shots, making it a versatile choice for players seeking offensive capability without sacrificing precision.
A symmetrical 5-ply construction. Limba outer plies provide feel and control, while the harder Mahogany second layers contribute to increased tempo and a stiffer feel. The Ayous core offers a solid foundation. This combination creates a blade faster than traditional all-round models but one that retains good ball feeling and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
E. Lebesson offers a speed rating around 8.4, placing it in the OFF- category. It's noticeably faster than classic all-round blades but isn't considered super-fast. The inclusion of a harder mahogany inner veneer boosts its tempo, making it well-suited for aggressive topspin and powerful shots, particularly when combined with modern rubbers.
This blade excels in control. Its linear response ensures predictable ball behavior, which is crucial for precise placement in serves, pushes, and blocks. This high level of control makes it an excellent tool for players developing their technique or anyone who values consistency in their game.
Feel is described as woody with a crispness, slightly harder than typical soft 5-ply offensive blades. The mahogany layer contributes a firmer sensation, yet it maintains comfortable feedback at the fingertip without being jarring, allowing players to accurately gauge their shots.
E. Lebesson likely produces a medium-high throw angle, which facilitates aggressive looping and powerful offensive shots. This trajectory is conducive to creating challenging arcs for opponents, especially when paired with suitable rubbers.
E. Lebesson provides sufficient dwell time for generating spin and executing controlled shots. The all-wood construction and Limba outer plies contribute to a pleasant ball-holding characteristic, effective for looping and spin-oriented play, though it doesn't match the extremely long dwell of thinner, more flexible blades.
Flexibility is in the medium range. While it has a little flex, the mahogany ply makes it stiffer than very soft or flexible blades. This moderate flexibility is key to its blend of speed and control.
Vibration levels are moderate. The blade is designed to provide clear feedback without excessive harshness. It strikes a balance that offers a connected feel to the ball, though players very sensitive to vibration might prefer a softer option.
Overall quality is regarded as good, especially for its price point. The all-wood construction is appreciated for its feel and build. However, players report that consistency can vary between samples, and some have noted the handle size or specific build details may not meet the absolute highest standards, though these are not widespread complaints.
Technology
Tibhar E. Lebesson is a testament to traditional blade-making, utilizing a 5-ply all-wood construction without carbon or synthetic fibers. The design focuses on the synergistic properties of carefully selected wood veneers. A hard mahogany inner veneer is integrated to enhance tempo and power for aggressive play. The outer Limba plies are chosen for their contribution to ball feel and control, creating a responsive hitting surface. This construction aims to provide a linear, predictable response, ensuring the blade's reaction is consistent and fosters confidence in executing both powerful attacks and sensitive touch shots.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Emmanuel Lebesson
Emmanuel Lebesson, the blade's namesake, has used it extensively throughout his successful career, including his 2016 European Championship win. His aggressive, modern attacking style—characterized by constant pressure and swift action—is directly embodied by this blade. Its balanced speed and control, along with its predictable response, perfectly complement his dynamic game, allowing for powerful topspins, effective blocks, and precise placements.
Similar Blades
Tibhar Samsonov Alpha
E. Lebesson is very similar in construction and feel to the older Tibhar Samsonov Alpha, with some noting the constructions are identical. The E. Lebesson is often described as having a slightly larger head size and being a thinner blade. Both are favored for their all-wood build, balanced playability, and suitability for aggressive, yet controlled table tennis.
Yasaka Extra Offensive (YEO)
E. Lebesson is compared to the Yasaka Extra Offensive in terms of playing characteristics. While the YEO is known for its woody feel and good control, E. Lebesson plays like a synergy of the YEO and a Primorac OFF-, offering a touch more hardness and stiffness from its mahogany ply while retaining a comparable dwell time and woody feel.