Customer Reviews

Butterfly 8292 Shido (Japanese Penhold) Table Tennis Racket

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great paddle for making desperate shots. Shots from a distance take a little bit of uumph to get over the net, but its worth having those shots drop right over the net. For up close play its good at returning shots and having them go right where you want them.

The one negative I have about this paddle is its extremely weak. I've only had it about a month and I've put several dents in it. The layers of maple cracked on one side and split apart after I hit the table once. So all i have to say is if you're a serious player you probably don't have to worry about hitting the table, but if you're an amateur enthusiast be careful of making wild shots because this isn't exactly the most durable of paddles lol.

This is a beginner's blade - I have one similar to this when I was 6 years old. I saw a comment about this not recommended for beginner. Would a serious player use this pre-assemble blade?

The rubber is designed to be for all round purposes.

I have played competitively in my younger days. I left my own blade, which is Butterfly Senkoh-1 Japanese Style which I paired it with a Yasaka Mark V rubber, in my home country and never thought that I would be challenged a game or two in the US. I thought of having it shipped to me here in the US but it would be too much trouble, and this bat appears to be reasonable for non-competitive play.

If you are a penholder who uses Japanese style blade and you are a beginner (or not playing competitively), this bat is for you. However, if you are a much more advanced player who like either heavy topspin or backspin, you will be greatly disappointed with its ability.

As this is designed for beginners, it does have good control and it is extremely light. The flipped side is they does not give you enough spin, speed and power.

For the asking price and if you just play for fun.... sure, go for it.

Ok, so it's not expensively made and looks it. However, I can realistically play with it almost as well as I can with my Senkho Proline, and I actually practice with the Shido to save wear and tear on the Senkho's rubber. The rubber on the Shido is not the best, but I think beginners would actually benefit from the slower, more controllable feel it provides, versus a high-end rubber that is often too fast for them. The average intermediate will play just as good a game with this racket, and after changing rubber it makes a fantastic backup for your main TT weapon. You can't beat it for this price.

It was a pain using a Shakehand Paddle for the Japanese Penhold grip. I find it much easier using my Japanese Penhold grip paddle than using a Shakehand Paddle because of the shape of the grip, the material of the grip, and the space between the grip place and the rubber. This is worth the buy for a Japanese Penholder looking for a very cheap paddle.

You have to be use to penhold style to play with this paddle well. It's very light, so it's very easy to smack the ball and move with your hand. One side rubber, and the other side is wood. This is made for attack and short distance defense. Spin is normal, but you have to know how to use it. Not recommened for beginner.

My wife uses the penhold and I use the handshake grip. Previously, we both used the handshake rackets until a gentleman noticed her grip and offered to loan her his new penhold racket to try out. Needless to say, she loved the feel and we immediately searched the Internet for the same racket and bought it. It has made a huge difference, especially that she is a tiny person with small hands and this made the grip much more natural and comfortable for her. The only drawback is that this racket is covered with rubber on the front side only. She is planning on buying another penhold racket for her collection with rubber on both sides.

ONLY thing good about this racket: the lowest priced Butterfly paddle available. Both rubber and paddle (mainly plywood) extremely weak. The "Butterfly SHIDO" name on handle is a cheap looking, removable sticker.