What is the difference between allround and offensive blades?
Allround (ALL) blades are slower and more forgiving, giving control and feel for learning and all-round play. Offensive (OFF) blades are faster and usually stiffer, giving more pace for attacking. Defensive (DEF) blades are the slowest, made for chopping. The labels are set by each brand, so compare them within one brand.
The blade class scale
| Class | What it means | Typical player |
|---|---|---|
| DEF / DEF+ | Slowest; maximum control and dwell | Choppers and defenders away from the table |
| ALL- / ALL | Slow to medium; very forgiving | Beginners and control players |
| ALL+ | Allround with extra pace | Improving players, all-round attackers |
| OFF- | Moderate attacking speed | Developing attackers, first step up |
| OFF | Attacking speed | Established club attackers |
| OFF+ | Fastest | Strong attackers, often composites |
Why ratings vary by brand
There is no independent test that puts every blade on one scale. Each manufacturer rates its own range, and the rating describes where a blade sits within that brand's line-up. Guides from TT-Shop and Table Tennis Direct both stress this. In practice, one brand's ALL+ can feel similar to another brand's OFF-.
Construction also changes how a blade plays, beyond its rating. All-wood blades tend to flex more, giving more dwell and feedback; composite blades are stiffer and faster with a larger sweet spot (Open TT, all-wood vs composite). Ply count matters too: within the same range, seven-ply blades are usually firmer and faster than five-ply. Our guide to carbon vs all-wood blades goes into more detail.
So use the class as a starting point, then read what the product page says about feel and construction.
Allround blades: who they suit
An allround blade is the right choice if you are learning, if you rely on placement and consistency, or if you play a mixed game of blocking, pushing and controlled topspin. The slower speed gives you time and margin, and the extra feel helps you learn how to vary spin. Allround does not mean defensive: plenty of league players attack with ALL+ blades and fast rubbers.
Allround blades we stock (class and construction from each product page, prices checked 20 October 2026):
- Neottec Gamma All+ (£24.99): five-ply all wood, ALL+, flexible for spin strokes.
- Tibhar Felix Lebrun ALL (£38.99): seven veneers with a soft touch and good control.
- Stiga Allround Classic (£39.99): a light five-ply blade and one of the best-selling allround blades of all time.
- Andro Timber 5 ALL (£42.99): five-ply all wood, focused on control with speed in reserve.
- Donic Original Dotec ALL+ (£57.99): five plies with CBF synthetic fibre, fast and fairly hard, for power all-round players.
New to the game? Our best blade for beginners guide has a full shortlist.
Offensive blades: who they suit
An offensive blade suits you once your strokes are consistent and you want the ball to travel faster without swinging harder. OFF- blades are a gentle step up from ALL+; OFF and OFF+ blades suit players who attack from both wings and play topspin rallies from mid-distance.
- Andro Timber 5 OFF (£42.99): five-ply all wood, offensive speed with high control.
- Xiom Classic Offensive S (£44.99): designed to reduce vibration, for secure topspin attack close to the table and from mid-distance.
- Stiga Offensive Classic (£49.99): a light five-ply offensive blade with exceptional feel.
- Yasaka Extra Offensive 7 Power (£54.99): a very hard outer veneer with a thin, light carbon layer.
- Stiga Clipper (£57.99): a seven-ply all-wood classic with real punch.
For more ideas when you are ready to step up, read best blades for intermediate players.
Defensive blades
Defensive blades are made for choppers who stand back and return heavy backspin. They are usually slower, often have larger heads, and give the most dwell and control so that chops stay low and heavy. Modern defenders also counter-attack, so many defensive blades keep enough pace for the occasional loop.
- Yasaka Sweden Defensive (£39.99): DEF+, the most controlled blade in Yasaka's Sweden series, with a larger head and softer outer plies.
- Andro Timber 5 Def (£42.99): five-ply all wood for chopping and blocking.
- Tibhar Li Qian Def (£82.99): a five-ply Japanese defensive blade endorsed by the 2018 European Champion.
How to choose your class
- Beginner or control player: ALL or ALL+.
- Consistent topspin, mainly close to the table: ALL+ or OFF-.
- Two-winged attacker, playing from mid-distance: OFF or OFF+.
- Chopper: DEF or DEF+.
Remember that rubbers change everything. A fast tensor on an ALL+ blade can be quicker than a control rubber on an OFF blade.
Blade or rubber: which matters more for speed?
Both, but in different ways. The blade sets the baseline: how much energy the frame returns and how it feels on contact. The rubbers then add or remove speed and spin on top of that. A soft control rubber on an OFF blade can feel calmer than a hard tensor on an ALL+ blade.
This is why it makes sense to change one part at a time. If your current set-up feels too slow, try a faster rubber first, which is the cheaper change. If you still want more pace, or you want a firmer, more direct feel, then move up a blade class. When you do change blade, consider keeping your rubbers for a few weeks so you can feel what the new frame does.
Weight matters too. Faster rubbers in Max thickness add weight, and heavier bats are slower to move between forehand and backhand. Check the weight on the product page where the manufacturer gives one, and remember that glue and edge tape add a little more.
FAQ
What is the difference between ALL and OFF blades?
ALL blades are slower and more forgiving, giving control and feel. OFF blades are faster and often stiffer, for attacking. The labels come from each manufacturer and describe where a blade sits within that brand's range.
Is OFF- good for beginners?
Usually it is better as a second blade. An OFF- blade is manageable for a fast learner, but most beginners progress more quickly on an ALL or ALL+ blade, which gives more time and margin on each stroke.
Are blade speed ratings the same across brands?
No. Each brand rates its own blades, so ratings are only directly comparable within one brand. Use the class as a guide and read the product description for construction and feel.
What is a defensive blade?
A slow, controlled blade designed for chopping from away from the table. Defensive blades often have larger heads and give maximum dwell, helping you keep chops low and vary spin. Examples include the Yasaka Sweden Defensive and Andro Timber 5 Def.
Should I move from ALL to OFF?
Move up when your topspin is consistent and your current blade feels short of pace from mid-distance. An ALL+ or OFF- blade is a smoother step than going straight to OFF+.
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