Throw angle, blade weight, and handle design all affect how a blade plays — but most players never consider them when buying.
# Module 7 — Three Hidden Variables
Most blade discussions focus on wood species and composite material.
These three factors are equally important but rarely discussed.
## 1. Throw Angle
Throw angle is the upward trajectory of the ball after contact.
It is primarily a rubber property — but blade stiffness changes it:
- **Stiffer blade** → lower throw (ball redirected more directly)
- **Flexible blade** → higher throw (blade flex creates a curved launch path)
- **Inner carbon** → tends to preserve wood-level throw (higher throw)
- **Outer carbon** → tends to reduce throw compared to all-wood
Even two blades with the same composite material but different placement
have different throw: *"TB ALC has slightly lower throw than Viscaria"*
— same fibre (ALC), different position. *(Revspin.net)*
> **Key point:** Throw angle is a *blade-rubber system* property.
> The same blade can play high-throw with one rubber and low-throw with another.
## 2. Blade Weight and Weight Distribution
**Weight matters two ways:**
**Total weight:** Greg Letts (ITTF coach) recommends *"the heaviest blade
you can still swing quickly."* Heavier blades generate more momentum and
can create more power. However, too heavy = slower reaction time.
**Centre of gravity (CoG) / Balance:**
> *"Loopers and hitters tend to prefer head-heavy blades which help them
> generate extra spin and speed. Blockers and defensive players often prefer
> blades with the centre of gravity towards the handle, which can increase
> the feeling of control."*
> — Greg Letts, Megaspin.net (ITTF International Umpire)
**Important note from Greg Letts:** *"Bear in mind that the centre of gravity
of a blade can change quite a bit depending on the weight of the rubbers
you choose."* — Chinese tacky rubbers are typically heavier than European
high-tension rubbers. This shifts CoG blade-ward.
## 3. Handle Technology
**Stiga WRB (Weight Redistribution Balance):** A hollow handle shifts CoG
toward the blade head — making the blade feel more head-heavy without
increasing total weight. The Clipper CR uses this technology.
**Stiga VSG and Senso:** Similar hollow-handle engineering for CoG control.
> Greg Letts' caveat: *"These are best treated with a grain of salt.
> Try them out and see for yourself whether the reality lives up to the
> marketing pitch."*
## Handle Shape (Grip Type)
| Handle | Name | Best For |
|--------|------|---------|
| **FL** | Flared | Most popular; flared bottom for a secure grip |
| **ST** | Straight | Allows changing grip position mid-rally; preferred by some Chinese-style players |
| **AN** | Anatomic | Pre-shaped for a specific hand position; controversial |
| **PEN** (Chinese) | Penhold | Short handle; Chinese or Japanese grip styles |
| **PEN** (Japanese) | Penhold J | Wider blade, traditional Japanese penhold |
Handle shape does not change blade speed — it changes *how you connect* with the blade.