Xiom Extreme S

This is a well manufactured 7 ply blade (limba , ayous , ayous, ayous, ayous, ayous, limba) by Xiom. It's in the same category as the Avalox P700 or Stiga Clipper. Fast but good control. Although it's a 7 ply blade it doesn't feel stiff. Excellent for playing close to the table or mid distance. Like all above mentioned blades it's also often used to play short pips.

Theoretically, stiff blade give better control than a flex blade. Medium hardness blade gives longer dwell time for ball feeling than a hard blade. And those two characteristics are true for Extreme S. It has enough dwell time and very good control for ball placement. Plus it is an OFF+ blade. Also provides easy block for those who like to block. I'm still comparing this blade with my other blades such as yinhe qiu yike rosewood, Y-13 and W-6. I'll update my review if there's anything new.

I recently converted over from ALL+ blades, so my first day playing with the Extreme S was awkward and disastrous. I kept overhitting the table when I did my normal strokes. I had to either shorten my strokes to get the ball on the table or just rely on a blocking game, which it did very well. I also have on it a TSP Curl P1R OX that is notorious for being hard to control. One would expect hard to control LP paired with an OFF+ blade equals disaster but surprisingly what results from the two is a really straight and deep shot that arcs back onto the table at the last second. Chopping with the Extreme S is surprisingly very effective and it was the only shot I could rely on on the first day of trying it out. After a few days, the Extreme S settled down some and I was able to get my loops on the table deep and low. I pair the blade with a Xiom Omega IV Euro, which is an OFF rubber but still considered by some a slower rubber compared to Tenergy. The power is evident, as everyone of my opponents so far have hurt their thumbs from getting hit by the ball coming from my paddle. They've all let out a very audible "OW!", which you can take as testimony to how fast this blade is.

My sample weights 88.3g, which, as far as I know, is quite hard to find since they usually run heavier. The frequency is 1518 Hz. In terms of speed, this blade is not for beginners; it’s meant for intermediate or pro-level players. The blade itself feels very solid and well-composed. The feeling is among the best I’ve ever experienced compared to other blades with the exact same composition. It feels very informative and lively, offering pleasant vibrations and crisp feedback. As for the rubbers, I paired it with Stiga Mantra H/XH, which are my main rubbers that I play with all the time. In my opinion, this is the best combination—it doesn’t dampen the blade's natural vibrations, but rather complements what the blade transmits, which heavily reflects in the gameplay. The blade offers great control. There are absolutely no issues staying close to the table to block, counter-loop, or counter-attack. Running back and playing in the third zone is just as effortless. I have highly positive impressions and feelings about this blade, not to mention that it is very budget-friendly considering the quality and performance it delivers. Some might not know, but this blade was designed following the Japanese style—mirroring how the Japanese themselves craft all-wood blades. This is highly noticeable when compared to variations from other manufacturers. Even after a quick test session yesterday, I can say this blade left a huge impression on me—honestly, I’ve never held anything better. Having experienced other all-wood blades like the Butterfly SK7, the classic Stiga Clipper Wood, and even the premium OSP Ultimate II, I can confidently say that this Xiom is fully on par with OSP. While OSP might have a slightly more distinct vibration and specific behavior, this blade doesn't yield to it at all. The quality, responsiveness, and overall feedback are on an exceptionally high level. It's one of the best blades I’ve ever held in my hands. Highly recommended.

Very good blade, fast with good control.