Yasaka Gatien Extra

Smooth Balance// I just recently switched to this blade from stiff Carbon and Titanium type blades. I really wanted to get back the control I lost with 7/9 ply composites, and feel like I'm playing much better. This blade doesn't play very fast on it's own, but if you combine it with fast/sticky rubbers, you can create some unique loop patterns and generate only the speed that YOU put forth. It's got a great impact feel, and it's light-weight is great for transitioning and pendulum service style.

2 of The best blade for looping all time , the other one is Stiga OC This is a very sensitive blade , different rubber on this blade can be very very different. If you use Chinese sticky rubber , it can be looping machine and very spinny but very hard to block Maybe you will tell this is a allround/slow blade , yes it is. But if you a good of looping , the speed is still ok and very accuracy . The handle , the design is thin and long. So very good for learn RPB

I have recently bought the Yasaka Extra. It's no longer called Gatien and i think it's different from the reviews here. Mine weighs 90 grams, it's off- and is a lot stiffer than expected. When you hit slowly it has a nice soft feeling to it. When you hit harder you can feel the second gear, it's way stiffer and this makes loops a bit more difficult and brush loops even more. It's even stiffer than the chinese copy, the Galaxy W-6. I appreciate the extra speed but i bought it because i wanted an flexy, soft, controllable wood with some bite, as described above. And it doesn't feel like one. It feels like a stiff blade with a soft feel, like many others. Another disadvantage is the low throw. After i swapped the W-6 for the Yasaka extra with the same rubbers , 80% of the balls got caught in the net. Still struggling to adjust to this one and it's an unpleasant surprise. To ayoushinoki : Yes only the one with Yasaka metal tag on the handle end, with JTTAA chop is available in store and it's not a great blade. The Galaxy copy, the W-5 is actually far better.

Very nice.Good for blocking.For recreational play no need better.

Reviewed with Friendship Cream Transcend 2.0mm rubbers. This blade is about control. It is light all+ 5 ply wood blade (anegre-limba-ayous-limba-anegre). Vibration are there but as positive feedback. Great for beginners and amateur players. People say it is too slow. If you know how to hit hard and the right way it is not slow. So you can measure you skill with this blade (meaning it will not play by itself, you need to get cracking). Pair it with Friendship Cream or 729-5 and you get very cheap and very serious paddle. Do not waste your money on Timo Boll Spirit and Tenergy because you may not need it. There is treasure to be found in these inexpensive blades and rubbers. Pozdrav svima koji ovo razumiju :-)