Is penhold or shakehand better?
Neither grip is better for everyone. Shakehand gives a more natural, powerful backhand and is what most players learn today. Penhold gives excellent wrist freedom for serves and short play over the table, and the modern reverse penhold backhand has closed much of the backhand gap. Choose the grip that feels natural and that your coach can teach.
Quick comparison
| Shakehand | Chinese penhold | Japanese penhold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you hold it | Like shaking hands; handle in the palm | Like a pen; fingers curled behind | Like a pen; fingers straighter behind, often with a cork block |
| Forehand | Strong | Strong, very wristy | Very strong; traditionally the main weapon |
| Backhand | Natural and powerful | Push-block or reverse penhold backhand | Mainly push-block |
| Short game and serves | Good | Excellent wrist freedom | Excellent |
| Crossover point | A weak spot near the elbow | Fewer transitions | Fewer transitions |
| Rubbers | Usually two | One or two (two needed for RPB) | Usually one |
Shakehand
The shakehand grip is the most common in the world, especially in Europe. You hold the handle as if shaking hands, with the index finger along the bottom of the blade on the backhand side and the thumb resting on the forehand side. Both faces are used, so forehand and backhand feel equally natural.
The big advantage is the backhand. A shakehand backhand can be opened up into powerful topspins and drives from almost anywhere. A kinematic study of skilled players found the shakehand backhand produced higher racket and ball velocities than a penhold backhand (PMC7675628). The main weakness is the "crossover" point near the playing elbow, where you must decide quickly between forehand and backhand.
Chinese penhold and the reverse penhold backhand
In the Chinese penhold grip, the thumb and index finger wrap around the front of the handle like holding a pen, and the other fingers curl behind the blade. The wrist is very free, which makes serving, flicking and touch play over the table excellent. An ITTF feature on pen-hold vs shake-hand notes that penholders are often seen as stronger close to the net.
Traditional penholders played the backhand with the same face as the forehand, using a push or block. The modern answer is the reverse penhold backhand (RPB): the player turns the blade and hits with the back face, using a second rubber. Newgy's coaching guide explains how the RPB lets penholders topspin on the backhand like shakehand players. Today most top penholders use it, which is why most Chinese penhold blades carry two rubbers.
One of the best-known current penholders is France's Félix Lebrun, who plays with a Tibhar Hyper Carbon blade, according to Racquet Rank's 2026 pro set-ups.
Japanese penhold
The Japanese penhold grip uses a blade with a straight handle, often with a cork block on the back to rest the fingers. The fingers sit straighter behind the blade than in the Chinese grip. Japanese penhold blades are traditionally single-ply or thicker, faster frames with one rubber, built around a dominant forehand and fast footwork. It is now rare at the top level, but still loved for its feel and forehand power.
Why do fewer pros use penhold?
Modern table tennis rewards strong topspin from both wings and fast transitions. Before the reverse penhold backhand became common, penholders had to cover much of the table with their forehand, which demanded exceptional footwork. Shakehand made a strong backhand easier to develop, so more coaches and players chose it. The RPB has narrowed that gap, but shakehand remains the default for most new players.
Which grip should you learn?
- Starting out: shakehand is easier to coach in most UK clubs and gives a balanced game from day one.
- Already play penhold comfortably: keep it. Learn the reverse penhold backhand and use a two-rubber Chinese penhold blade.
- Love touch play and serving: penhold's wrist freedom is a real asset.
- Coming from another racket sport: shakehand usually feels more familiar.
Blades and handles
A penhold grip needs a penhold handle. Chinese penhold (Ch.Pen) handles are short and shaped to fit between the thumb and finger; Japanese penhold (Jp.Pen) handles are longer and squarer. On our site, penholder-only blades always say so in the product name. Prices below were checked on spinfinity.uk on 20 October 2026 and can change.
- Neottec Magic Control (Ch.Penholder Only) (£24.99): a best-selling learning blade with excellent ball feel, ALL+, five plies.
- Stiga Energy Wood WRB (Penholder Only) (£34.99): a light five-ply wooden blade, ALL+, with a soft feel.
- DHS Power G7 OFF+ (Ch.Penholder Only) (£34.99): seven plies of wood, OFF+, balancing looping and driving.
- Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon (PEN) (£59.99): the classic attacking blade with two added carbon layers for more power and stability.
- Neottec HC-RS Off (Jp.Penholder Only) (£69.99): a very light Japanese penhold attacking blade, about 67 g, head 134 x 139 mm.
- Tibhar Felix Lebrun Hyper Carbon Inner (£139.99): designed with Tibhar for Félix Lebrun, with synthetic carbon fibres directly around the core. Check the handle options on the product page.
Can you use a shakehand blade for penhold? You can, but it is uncomfortable for most players, because a shakehand handle is longer and thicker than a penhold one. A proper penhold handle makes the grip far easier. New to choosing a blade? Our beginner blade guide explains speed classes and construction.
FAQ
Is penhold or shakehand better?
Neither is better for everyone. Shakehand gives a more natural backhand and is easier to coach. Penhold gives excellent wrist freedom for serves and short play. The reverse penhold backhand has made penhold far more balanced.
Why do fewer pros use penhold?
Modern play rewards topspin from both wings. Before the reverse penhold backhand, penholders had to cover more of the table with the forehand. Shakehand made a strong backhand easier to develop, so it became the default.
What is the reverse penhold backhand?
A penhold backhand played with the back face of the blade, using a second rubber. It lets penholders topspin on the backhand like shakehand players, and most top penholders now use it.
Can I use a shakehand blade for penhold?
You can, but most players find it uncomfortable because the handle is longer and thicker. A dedicated Chinese or Japanese penhold handle makes the grip much easier and more secure.
Which pros use penhold?
France's Félix Lebrun is one of the best-known current penholders, and plays the reverse penhold backhand with a Tibhar Hyper Carbon blade.
Penhold or shakehand, we stock both handles
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