Table Tennis / Ping-Pong guide Digg it! del.icio.us Google it! Yahoo! Reddit! Furl! Blogmarks!Blinklist! Simpy it! NetVouz! Tagza!  
Forum Home Forum Home > Table Tennis Forums > Equipment
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Sanding flared handle + grip tape
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Sanding flared handle + grip tape
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Jujo View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 16 October 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 71 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jujo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Sanding flared handle + grip tape
    Posted: 15 December 2006 at 21:39
I've got a BTY Petr Korbel blade with flared handle and I'm kind of of wishing I bought a straight handle now. The flared part at the bottom of the handle digs into my palm on a backhand, limiting my stroke.

My first idea is to sand one side of the flared down to make it straight, so it plays more like a straight handle.

Second idea is to wrap some grip tape around it. I find the handle to be too small on this blade, most other blades I've tried are fatter, and feel better in my hand.

I already have a sweaty hands problem that I'm trying to figure out how to conquer.. It feels like I have hyperhidrosis (severe palm sweating). If I used grip tape like the kind they use in tennis, it would be able to absorb as well as beef up the skinny handle.

Here's the overgrip I'm considering: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACBAB-BVSOG.html

I'm a newbie (played 3-4 months now) and I've never seen anyone with grip tape on their paddle. I figure I'd ask the experts here if these are good ideas or not.
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
agooding2 View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 13 March 2005
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 598 		Post Options Post Options   Quote agooding2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 December 2006 at 21:49

Nothing wrong with sanding down the handle.  Try that first and see if it helps at the handle end.  A few companies actually make that design.

I know a few players who use grip tape or a rubber overgrip if their handle is too small at the throat.  It's worth trying as it's much cheaper than a new blade. 

Tennis racket tape is pretty wide, maybe look for the narrower stuff designed for smaller handles, like these or for racquetball: http://www.butterflyonline.com/glue_clean_all.asp?frompg=gri ps

-- Andrew
Back to Top
Jujo View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 16 October 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 71 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jujo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 December 2006 at 23:26
Thanks for the reply Andrew. I'll have check around the local sporting goods stores to see if they got any smaller sized tape.

I'm gonna try and sand the handle down this weekend. I'll try to post pics of the results.
Back to Top
agooding2 View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 13 March 2005
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 598 		Post Options Post Options   Quote agooding2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 December 2006 at 23:49

Finding the grip wrap locally is a good option.  Once you add shipping a simple $5 item rises dramatically in price.  That's why I buy my glue locally.

Let us know how it goes.

-- Andrew



Edited by agooding2
Back to Top
aeoliah View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 29 April 2004
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 845 		Post Options Post Options   Quote aeoliah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 December 2006 at 03:48
If I were you, before I make any change on the handle, I would try the grip tape first (considering what you said that the handle is too small for you). If afterwards you are still not satisfied, then you can sand the handle.
9,5 mm Darker Speed 90
Red Coppa JO Gold
Back to Top
Jujo View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 16 October 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 71 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jujo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 December 2006 at 01:09
Couldn't find any smaller sized grip tape at the local shops, so I ended up using Tournagrip XL, and cutting it in half. It feels alright on the handle and makes up for the lack of mass in the upper part making the flared handle less noticible.

I had a premade that I sanded down the flared on one side to make it straight as a test, before I FUBAR the Korbel. It turned out quite nice and the feeling is just what I hoped.

I think in the end I'm going to just purchase a new blade with a straight handle. I feel like I'm just trying to ghetto rig something, when the real problem is that I got the wrong type of handle to begin with.

Thanks for the advice fellas.
Back to Top
Opticon View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 April 2005
Location: Singapore
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Opticon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 January 2007 at 15:27
Sorry to hijack but will adding the grip tape take away some of the blade feeling?

Btw Happy New Year!
Success is NOT a product of confidence.
Back to Top
dadonche View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 24 November 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dadonche Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 January 2007 at 17:03
Originally posted by Opticon

Sorry to hijack but will adding the grip tape take away some of the blade feeling?

Btw Happy New Year!


it sure will somehow take away some of the feeling...if you're using a pure 5-ply wood or 7-ply wood blade. I dont know if it will affect carbon blades such as schlager carbon
Back to Top
Opticon View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 April 2005
Location: Singapore
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Opticon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 January 2007 at 03:04
Ok thanks.
I supposed it's time to look for a new blade then!
Success is NOT a product of confidence.
Back to Top
mdjenders View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 19 March 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 192 		Post Options Post Options   Quote mdjenders Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 January 2007 at 05:54
I had the same problem with flared handles before I switched to straight.  The Butterfly handles are a bit shorter and thinner generally than others, which leads to that nasty pressure on the base of the palm while flexing the wrist for backhands. Even with the ST handle, you might have to sand the edges rounder near the base of the handle.  Good luck.
Back to Top
TT_Freak View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 26 December 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947 		Post Options Post Options   Quote TT_Freak Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 January 2007 at 08:10
It won't affect your touch, most of the feedback goes to your thumb and pointer anyway.
Back to Top
Opticon View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 April 2005
Location: Singapore
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Opticon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 January 2007 at 13:57
The problem I have is that the handle is too small for my grip, and I don't change grips between forehand and backhand. Hence, this makes my game less consistent and gives my palms blisters (ouch!)

Have yet to decide on a nice new blade from my opticon yet...
So most probably stick to my current one. Regarding the grip tape do you guys recommend those thick rubber type or thin sweat absorbing type? If it's the latter I may have to wrap a lot more layers to increase the thickness of the handle.

Thanks in advance
Success is NOT a product of confidence.
Back to Top
dadonche View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 24 November 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dadonche Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 January 2007 at 14:18
Originally posted by Opticon

The problem I have is that the handle is too small for my grip, and I don't change grips between forehand and backhand. Hence, this makes my game less consistent and gives my palms blisters (ouch!)

Have yet to decide on a nice new blade from my opticon yet...
So most probably stick to my current one. Regarding the grip tape do you guys recommend those thick rubber type or thin sweat absorbing type? If it's the latter I may have to wrap a lot more layers to increase the thickness of the handle.

Thanks in advance

blisters....
when holding the handle, try to use force only by your thumb and index finger and then grip the handle with your palm loosely
Back to Top
Vassily View Drop Down
VIP
VIP
Avatar
El Presidente, ELC

Joined: 03 March 2004
Location: New Zealand
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1235 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Vassily Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 January 2007 at 15:16
You are not supposed to change grips between FH and BH. Well, you can but current theory is that its better not to.

Yes grip tape will take away feeling. I think its probably best to get the thinner stuff and do more layers as the total result will be harder and will remove less of the feeling... But then the bat might be heavier overall.
Nittaku Acoustic (FL)
Donic F1 2.0mm

El Presidente ELC.
Back to Top
Opticon View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 April 2005
Location: Singapore
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Opticon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 January 2007 at 00:23
Now still sticking to my current blade. My skills are not good enough to upgrade now.

Sigh.

Will be visiting a local store selling sporting goods soon. Hopefully it doesn't take away too much feeling.
Success is NOT a product of confidence.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.68
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz