Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition

Weight

90g

Thickness

6.7mm

Plies

7-ply

Head Size

157.5x150.5

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Tibhar

Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition

2014

Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition is a premium 7-ply all-wood blade crafted for offensive players seeking a perfect harmony of speed, spin, and control. Developed with legendary player Vladimir Samsonov, it delivers exceptional ball feel and precise feedback, empowering you to control every shot. Its construction unleashes ample power for aggressive attacks while retaining the finesse needed for delicate placements and spin-heavy play. The elegant black finish complements its professional-grade performance, making it a top choice for advanced players who want a natural-feeling blade with potent offensive capabilities.

7-Ply Construction

The 7-ply construction uses Limba outer veneers and Ayous inner plies to create a balance of speed, flexibility, and feel. This all-wood composition provides a natural, sensitive touch and significant dwell time, enabling excellent spin generation and control.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
9.1

Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition is consistently rated as a fast blade, landing in the OFF+ to near OFF+ category. Its 7-ply all-wood build and thickness around 6.7-6.8mm enable powerful shots and strong acceleration, especially from mid-distance. Our testing shows it delivers more pace than a standard Clipper wood but generally feels slightly slower than composite blades like the Clipper CC, offering a speed that aggressive players can rely on.

Control
7.0

Despite its high speed, this blade earns high praise for its control. Players report excellent ball feel and feedback, which allows for precise placement and stable rallying. The significant dwell time provided by its wood construction helps you manage spins and execute a variety of shots with confidence. This balance makes it ideal for offensive players who also demand tactical precision in their game.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition delivers a sensitive feel with excellent ball feedback. While it's a 7-ply wood blade, it often feels slightly harder or more solid than other 7-ply options, especially on flat hits. This 'mild hard' character allows for precise shot execution without losing the tactile connection to the ball. Some players notice a bit more vibration than expected, which actually enhances the overall feedback.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

The combination of speed and dwell time on this blade tends to produce a medium to high arc on loops. This is great for clearing the net and landing shots deep on the opponent's side, especially when paired with modern rubbers.

Dwell Time
8.0

The 7-ply all-wood build, particularly with Limba outer plies, provides a generous amount of dwell time. This lets you feel the ball on your racket and impart heavy spin, making it highly effective for modern topspin play and loops.

Flexibility
6.0

Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition features a mild flex that contributes to its dwell time and spin-friendly nature. It's not overly flexible, but it gives enough on hard impacts to allow for significant spin generation, particularly on loops. This balanced flexibility ensures it performs well in both fast exchanges and spin-heavy shots.

Vibration
7.0

For a 7-ply wood construction, this blade has a noticeable level of vibration that transfers clearly to the hand, offering good feedback. Our testing classifies it with a somewhat higher vibration level, which some players find adds to the tactile feel. While it might feel pronounced initially, especially for those switching from carbon blades, this vibration is generally seen as beneficial for control and shot awareness.

Quality
8.5

Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition is widely regarded as a high-quality blade, particularly for its price point. The materials and construction are praised for their durability and consistency. Many players share positive long-term experiences, indicating solid manufacturing standards and a blade that holds up well over time, offering great value.

Technology

Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition showcases traditional table tennis craftsmanship with its pure 7-ply all-wood construction. It forgoes modern carbon or synthetic fibers, relying entirely on carefully selected wood veneers. The outer plies are typically Limba, known for its excellent feel and spin-friendly properties, while the inner plies are Ayous, chosen to add speed and stability. This design maximizes the natural characteristics of wood, delivering exceptional sensitivity, pronounced dwell time for spin generation, and a direct, tactile connection with the ball. The absence of synthetic materials results in a blade that is both forgiving and powerful, perfectly embodying a classic offensive playing style.

Pro Players Using This Blade

Vladimir Samsonov

Legendary player Vladimir Samsonov was instrumental in developing this blade, personally testing prototypes and providing feedback. He emphasized the blade's ability to deliver excellent feel and feedback on every shot, regardless of impact speed. Known for his consistent, powerful, and tactical all-around offensive game, Samsonov influenced the design to balance speed with exceptional control and spin, ensuring it meets the demands of top-tier competition.

Bernadette Szocs

Prominent European professional Bernadette Szocs has been observed using this blade. Her dynamic and aggressive style, characterized by powerful topspins and quick attacks, benefits from the blade's speed and spin capabilities. Its controlled offensive nature likely complements her ability to generate heavy spin and maintain constant pressure on opponents, making it a suitable choice for her competitive toolkit.

Similar Blades

Stiga Clipper Wood

Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition is often compared to the Stiga Clipper Wood due to their similar 7-ply all-wood construction and offensive focus. Both aim for a good balance of speed, control, and feel. However, our experts note the Samsonov blade is generally considered slightly faster and thinner (around 6.7-6.8mm vs. Clipper's ~7.0mm), offering more responsiveness and a distinct, more aggressive feel that some players prefer.

Butterfly Korbel SK7

Butterfly Korbel SK7 is another 7-ply all-wood blade that shares similarities with the Samsonov Force Pro Black Edition. Both are designed for offensive play and deliver good spin and speed. Players report the Korbel SK7 might be slightly slower, potentially offering a touch more control or a different sensation. The choice between them often comes down to subtle preferences in feel, speed, and how they complement your specific offensive style.