Instinct & Instinct +

Toxic3 & Toxic5

Price = $16

Ply Selection

Instinct (5ply)Instinct+ (7ply)

Combo Price = $35

Price = $22

Ply Selection

Toxic 3 (3ply) ComboToxic 5 (5ply) Combo

Combo Price = $40

Don't let the price fool you.  These are probably the best playing all wood blade I carry. 

The Instinct is a 5ply ayous blade that weighs around 74g.  I would label it all+ to off- in speed.  It's very flexible and very spinney with still just enough smashing power to put the ball away when the opportunity arises.

The Instinct+ is the 7ply version of the same blade.  Therefore it's a little heavier (~85g) and faster.  I'd put it at offensive (not + or -).  For a reasonably fast blade, it's still got awesome control for sure.

I would recommend one of these two blades to virtually any player under 2000, and probably to most players over that depending on their style. 

This is Friendship's answer to the popular defensive "Hock" blades.  They have that low tone that screams control.  However, even the Toxic3 isn't as slow as some of the 3ply hocks I've tried.

The 5ply still has that low tone, although not quite as pronounced.  However when you take a bigger cut that tone disappears and it feels more like a normal all-around blade.

Both rackets have the distinctive Hock shape, with an exaggerated oversized head.

This racket will most likely be covered on at least one side with some sort of pips-out rubber.  Often long pips.  The typical choppers forehand will be a sticky topsheet on a thin (<1.5), dead sponge.  If the player wants to be able to loop with the forehand they will sometimes go to a sponge around 1.8 thickness.

Galaxy 896

Faster 1 Off

Price = $16

Combo Price = $35

Price = $22

Combo Price = $45

I commonly refer to this blade as the "best looping blade I carry."  It's built very similarly to the Instinct, containing 5plies with ayous outer layers.  If somebody tells me they like to stand a couple of steps back and loop the ball back with an emphasis on spin, this is what I recommend.  Very flexible and springy, this blade has that "boing" effect when you step back and take a big cut, even though overall the blade's speed is correctly labeled "medium."

I also carry this blade in penhold.  I often sell it to Ma Lin/Wang Hao fans that want a blade that feels most like the Yasaka Extra.  

The flex and springiness of this blade makes the short game not quite as good as the Instinct.  So it's a tradeoff for people that prefer a control loop or flip to a push whenever possible.

Not available in the US.  This is probably the only one I'll import, so if you want to be the one that tries it let me know.  7ply Off

Mind Game

LKT One

Price = $18

Combo Price = $40

Price = $32

Combo Price = $55

The blade is thick, and feels something like a thick balsa.  However, the inner layers are balanced in thickness.  Not a single thick middle layer like the traditional balsa blade.  However it is fast like a balsa blade.  Fast enough to qualify for traditional Chinese serve and attack strategies.  Yet it's softer and retains a

This blade does vary from the traditional Japanese style in that the backside of the blade does NOT have the cork built up, so that it can accommodate the increasingly popular reverse penhold backhand stroke without the owner having to rip off the cork like they have with Japanese pen blades in the past.

Even if you don't plan on using it, this one is worth owning just to keep it "parked in the garage."  It's that nice.  And once this batch is gone it's gone for good.  Friendship happened upon a very high grade batch of ayous. It's not likely we'll see another batch good enough to make one ply blades out of again.

Faster-2 All

Galaxy H-1

Price = $20

Combo Price = $40

Price = $25

Combo Price = 45

Again, probably the only one I'll import since it's not available through proper channels.  Very fat handle.  Feels like a control balsa.  I'd call it off-.

This one has a solid feel and borders between off and off+.  Dark stain, almost walnut.

Galaxy 2004

Galaxy W6

Price = $25

Combo Price = $45

Price = $39

Combo Price = $60

This one looks like stiga offensive cr, huh?  It doesn't have a factory listed rating that I can find, but it's probably on the border between off- and off.  It's wrb (hollow handle), so it tends to balance toward the head.

Some forum lists have pegged this blade as a sub for Yasaka Extra.  I've never tried YE, but I always hear it's slow.  This one isn't that slow to me.  I'd call it on the up side of off-.  Different wood grain from the others.  More like you'd see in some of the upper level butterfly or yasaka blades.  Not ayous.  This is the blade I'm currently using.  It's very important that you treat this one heavy along the outside edge.  Mine chipped really badly until I did.  Of course, I do that here before I send it out.

Galaxy M3

Galaxy 961 or 960

Price = $25

Combo Price = $45

Price = $7.50

Combo Price = $15-20

 85g +/- 5

XuShaoFa 090

Globe 582 (out of stock)

Price = $19

Combo Price = $40

Price = $21

Combo Price = $40

This is probably the nicest looking blade I have.  It plays well too.  Marked all, I'd put it at all+ to off-.  The walnut stain is great...even on the edges of the blade. Trimmed nicely with some red stain. Great short game, but still has put-away power.  Handle inlay is cool.  Possibly the best allaround wood blade I have.

This is an impressive blade.  You could tell me it was a bt555 or stiga offensive and I'd believe you.  It's got a really springy "boing" feel to it.   Very Swedish feel.  I was actually quite surprised.  I think this is supposed to be an avalox copy or something.  Or maybe a Korbel?