Flared or straight?
The handle doesn’t change how the ball comes off the blade — it changes how the blade sits in your grip. Pick by how you hold it, not by looks.
| Handle | Code | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flared | FL | Widens at the base, seats into the palm, resists twisting | Most players, shakehand grips, anyone new to the game |
| Straight | ST | Even width top to bottom, free to rotate in the hand | Loopers who spin the bat between forehand and backhand |
| Anatomic | AN | Contoured bulge in the middle to match the grip’s curve | Players who want a locked, molded fit (special order) |
| Penhold | CS / JS | Short handle gripped like a pen, one dominant face | Penhold styles — Chinese (CS) or Japanese (JS) |
When in doubt, go Flared
Flared is the safe coin for nine out of ten shakehand players. It won’t rotate on a hard hit and it’s comfortable straight out of the box — every ready-to-play bat we rack ships flared unless you ask.
Loose grip? Try Straight
If you relax your fingers and let the bat pivot between wings — classic European looping grip — a straight handle gives you that freedom. It feels alien at first, then you never go back.
How thick is your sponge?
The sponge under the topsheet is the engine. Thicker sponge stores more energy for speed and spin; thinner sponge trades that gear for control and touch. Measured in millimetres.
| Thickness | Character | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–1.8 mm | Slow, controlled, easy to place. Least catapult. | Beginners, defenders, control blockers |
| 1.9–2.0 mm | Balanced all-round gear — spin and touch in one | Improvers and all-court players |
| 2.1–2.2 mm | Fast and spinny with real catapult on loops | Attacking loopers, league regulars |
| Max (2.2 mm+) | Maximum speed and spin, least forgiving | Advanced offensive players who trust their stroke |
Speed · Spin · Control.
Every blade and rubber we rack carries three factory numbers out of a rough 100. Speed and control pull against each other — chase one and you spend the other. Here’s how the tiers read.
| Range | Speed | Spin | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60–74 | Slow, safe | Low grip | Very forgiving |
| 75–89 | All-court | Workable spin | Balanced |
| 90–99 | Fast | Heavy spin | Demands technique |
| 100+ | Boss level | Maximum grip | Least margin |
Buy the control you can grow into.
A new player on a 100-speed rocket sprays balls off the end table and never learns to place. Start where control is 80-plus, let your strokes catch up, then trade control for gears one setup at a time. Everything on the rack lists its numbers so you can match, not guess. Still stuck? Email the crew and we’ll spec a build to your game.
Sizing FAQ.
Insert questionDoes handle shape change how the bat plays?
No — the ball reacts to the blade and rubber, not the handle. FL versus ST is purely about how it sits in your hand and whether you let it rotate. Play the shape that’s comfortable.
Thicker sponge is just better, right?
Only if your stroke can cash the cheque. Thicker sponge adds speed and spin but eats control and forgiveness. Match it to your level — 2.0 mm is the honest all-round pick for most players.
Can you build a bat to my numbers?
That’s exactly what the custom pro setup is for — tell us your grip, target weight and the speed/spin/control feel you want, and we glue it at the bench. Email the crew to start a spec.