Re-Impact Rapier 44

I played table tennis at school, 20 years ago, as an amateur and never had a coach. The biggest problem I'm still facing now is something I carried over from childhood: playing with one hand (RH), not using my left at all (BH), not being able to hit a single ball.
Because I have a strong right hand, opponents started to exploit the left side of the table, which I don't always manage to return to. 4 months ago, my friends in the game suggested that I try long pips (BH), so that I can at least defend a little on the left, reject a more awkward ball, etc. I have tried several defensive table tennis rackets such as Spinlord Defender, Butterfly Diode Pro, Sauer and Toger, and also endless table tennis rubbers: Der Materialspezialist Fakir, Giant Dragon Dragon Talon, Butterfly Feint Long III, Dr. Neaubauer Viper Soft, Curl P1..all table tennis rackets and rubbers in my BH were too fast, I was completely unable to control them and counter hard hits.Due to my relatively large hand and long fingers, I could not hold the racket correctly, used GRIP thickeners. Until I heard about RE-Impact.
After corresponding with Achim, to whom I explained my problems, he suggested that I try the Re-Impact Rapier 44 with the ergonomic ship screw handle. And I decided to try.
After receiving the Re-Impact Rapier 44, made specifically for my hand measurements, my first impression was...wow, it looks so "massive". But it's so easy.. I picked it up and..wow..it has never been so comfortable, it's like an extension of my hand. I couldn't wait to try it.
Following Achim's recommendations, I chose FH rubber with a catapult effect: Donic Blue Storm Pro AM (2 mm), and BH what I wanted to try for a long time - Tibhar Gras Dtec OX.
I've only had three training sessions at this point, but first impressions..it's something incredible.
FH: The controls are simply incredible. I can put the ball exactly where I want. The "speed control" was also very surprising: I can drop the ball very close to the net or in the middle of the table, but I just need a "faster hit" and the speed is very good. In the first training, the FH appeared to be a little too slow for my style, but this was a false impression: I can safely retreat to the second zone and when I put in the kick (hand bridge) speed, I have an incredible catapult.
BH: it feels like I started playing with BH not 4 months ago, but a good year ago. According to online descriptions, the Tibhar Grass Dtec is a fast, hard-to-handle rubber. Did the internet lie to me or did the Re-Impact Rapier 44 work a miracle? The control is excellent, blocking the ball is reasonably easy, the trajectory with the "chop block" close to the table is very flat and low. Opponents complained about "awkward balls", and very often a simple, passive block that beautified the ball after their top spin simply went into the net. They are stunned. Like me.
Verdict: before ordering this racket I was a bit doubtful..the price is not small for me. But it was the best choice I ever made. I believe it will only get better every day, I can't wait to play, learn and "tame" my Re-Impact Rapier 44 and get the most out of it. If anyone still doubted what Re-Impact can offer, then don't doubt it..don't spare money for a table tennis racket that will be created for you. Because you will spend the same amount, and even more, buying other, mass-produced table tennis rackets and rubbers, but, possibly, due to certain personal characteristics of your body or game (like my big hand), you will never find the right one. Write to Achim, state your problems, and you will find a solution, as I found mine.

If someone thinks it's an advertisement, you're wrong, because it's just the sincere joy of finding something I didn't expect to find. Thanks Re-Impact.

P.S. I'm very protective of my table tennis racket, but a lot can happen, so I'll definitely be ordering another one in reserve.

Das Rapier 44, dass ich spiele, besitze ich bereits seit Ende 2014. Mittlerweile besitze ich noch eine Reihe andere Modelle von Re-Impact z.B. das Barath und das Rapier Active. Das 44er spiele ich aber immer noch regelmässig beim Training. Nachdem nun die Plastikbälle Pflicht sind, habe ich aller älteren Modelle nach der Anleitung von Achim umgestellt, indem ich den obersten (den ersten, vom Schlägerblatt aus) Querschlitz von vieren mit Tesafilm "geschlossen" habe. Damit ergibt sich nun auch mit Plastikbällen das gewohnte sichere Platzierungs- und Spinspiel und die relative Unanfälligkeit bei gegnerischem Spin. Der Grund, dass ich andere Hölzer vorziehe, war lediglich der etwas größere VH-Druck, den ich z.B. mit dem Rapier Active und dem Barath aufbauen kann. Meine aktuelle Kombination ist Joola Maxxx 450 in 1,8 für die VH und auf der RH DerMaterialspezialist Elite Long in Ox. Es haben folgende Langnoppen (alle in Ox) ähnlich gut (mit ABS-Ball z.B. Joola Prime, TSP CP40+, aber auch mit Nicht-ABS z.B. Hanno) funktioniert:
Giant Dragon Talon, DerMaterialspezialist Kamikaze (hoher Störeffekt), Neubauer Troublemaker, SpinLord Dornenglanz, SpinLord Agenda.
Die Hauptstärke ist die hohe Sicherheit, weshalb das Holz auch ich immer wieder gern bei Doppeln einsetze. Ich spiele die lange Noppe sehr aggressiv, habe aber mit dem Holz jederzeit die Option, das Tempo zu reduzieren und z.B. Stoppbälle einzustreuen.
Die vollen 5 Sterne gebe ich nur nicht, weil mir z.B. das Barath und das Rapier Active auf der VH noch besser gefallen.

Re-Impact Rapier 44: First Impressions by Tommy Zai

I've owned hundreds and hundreds of blades over the years, but only a few of them were custom-made specifically for me. Until now, a high quality, handcrafted, made-to-order Re-Impact blade has eluded me. I contacted their master blade designer, Achim Rendler. After he answered a few of my concerns and questions, I zeroed-in on the model best suited for me:

*Rapier 44
*Medium size, which is close to a standard oversized blade but asymmetrical at 162 mm x 162 mm.
*Made to order - I provided my finger, hand, and forearm measurements.
*Special MCP handle system with Screw handle design . . . I figured . . . why not? It makes this blade even more unique in comparison to all others I've owned and used. It has a 45 degree twisted grip.

It cost more than the average mass production blade, but less than Butterfly’s high-end offerings.

I finally received my custom order. It took a few weeks, but in all fairness to Re-Impact, it was stuck in customs for a week. Initial thought . . . Whoa! It's a super light, medium round-ish oversized blade with a special handle notches and a swirl handle sized to fit my arm, hand, fingers. The craftsmanship is fantastic — a big step up from a mass production blade. I won't need to detail it before gluing-up. It has super smooth beveled edges on the wings and anywhere else fingers touch. I normally seal my blades, but this one came pre-sealed with a secret formula so I best not mess with it. Rubbers fit nicely. I imagine the extra-large oversized version might be problematic for some smaller racket coverings. It appears to have a two-layer balsa type core. The top plies are unique, and I have no clue what they are.

I glued up a 2.0 mm inverted on FH and OX LP on BH.

In play, this is an active, lively blade with excellent control. FH blocks/counters swimmingly, even against devastating loop drives. BH chop blocks and side-swipes with precision and touch. Many blades have subtle gears, but this blade boasts an obvious shift like jumping from second to fourth gear in a high performance automobile. The gears are engaged via aggression/power, and there is a noticeable catapult and brake-effect on both FH and BH. With my game, it's important that I control the pace and make my opponent uncomfortable. With Rapier 44, I am able to adjust the tempo on both sides of the racket, effortlessly dropping the ball short and driving it long. Even though this is not listed as a combination blade, I notice a difference between the two sides. Yes, my rubbers are dissimilar I'm a combination player. Still, I can feel a blade induced contrast. Upon a careful inspection, I wonder if the two layers of the core are different. There's something else about this blade that took me a while to understand. When I tilt the blade, it reacts uniquely. It's almost like a variation in degree transform it into a slightly different blade.

There is plenty of control throughout with more than enough speed for all-out attack. Normally, these balsa blades are associated with close-to-the-table pips play, and that's mostly how I’ll use it. However, taking a step back to mid-distance and blasting away with or without top or chop is equally delightful. I'm not a long-distance looper, so I can't say if this blade would be good for that style of play. If that's your game, and you'd like to give Re-Impact a try, I'd suggest checking out their OFFensive line. I previously hit with a specially designed Re-Impact Smart blade. I'm not sure about the speed rating, but I can tell you that that particular bat was an aggressive beast.

Throughout play, regardless of the type of stroke, gear, or angle . . . there is a lot of communication . . . ”talk” without unwanted vibration. The racket feels like an extension of my hand, especially thumb.

The sweet spot covers most, if not all, of the head. In short, the sweet spot is SWEET!

For those who know me, know that I struggle with an upper body disability. I'm often in pain, weakened, and recovering from various surgeries. I need a setup that promotes play, not hinders it. With this blade, I am able to play longer and more comfortably. My wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck doesn't suffer as much, and I am ready to play again the following day. I asked Achim about this and he explained, “The counter pressure on the ball during the forward movement is reduced by the asymmetrical alignment of the club surfaces.” I'm not a scientist or engineer, but I can tell you that there is a difference and I like it!

Who is this blade NOT for? I’d say a two-winged looper who uses max inverted rubbers on both sides. Yet, having said that . . . the smaller size might work nicely. I’m not a looper, so who knows? There are no absolutes in table tennis with regard to matching equipment to players. I know a high level combo player who uses a “defensive” long pip on his FH, and he ONLY hits . . . not blocking. I also know an extremely handsome player (m...

Good frame, but a little to slow to put enough "time"pressure on the opponent.

Meine Beste Saison. Ich bin Jahrgang 1940. Nachdem ich 2015 einen Herzinfarkt hatte mit nachfolgender Herzklappen- und Bypassoperation habe ich 2016/2017 mit dem Rapier 44 (geliefert Okt. 2016) meine beste Saison überhaupt gespielt. Mit den von Achim empfohlenen Belägen VH Coppa X1 1,8 Gold rot und RH Grass D-Tec. ox sw war die Ballsicherheit sofort da.