Donic Zhang Jike New Era is a premium offensive table tennis blade, developed in collaboration with Chinese table tennis legend and world/Olympic champion Zhang Jike, specifically designed for ambitious players seeking perfect balance between speed and control. ITTF-approved, this blade stands out with its unique construction that ensures dynamism, sensitive ball feel and excellent feedback, featuring speed (98/100, ~12.3/20), high control (97/100, ~12.1/20) and firm stiffness. Its core is made of lightweight kiri wood, surrounded by two ayous layers, while three finely woven synthetic fiber layers (Trio UAC) add exceptional sensitivity. The outer limba wood layers, softer than the harder koto wood used in Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon, further enhance control. Donic Zhang Jike New Era is the ideal choice for modern all-round and attacking players who value the balance between speed and control in both offensive and passive play. This blade reflects Zhang Jike's experience and vision gained while coaching at table tennis schools in China - the Donic Zhang Jike New Era is a superstar's recommendation!

Key Features:

• Blade Type: Offensive / Offensive- (OFF/OFF-)

• Plies: 7 plies (5 wood + 2 synthetic fiber): Kiri (core), Ayous (3+5), Trio UAC synthetic fiber (2+6), Limba (1+7, outer)

• Weight: ~80-90g (average ~85g)

• Thickness: 5.7mm

• Speed: 98/100 (~12.3/20 on universal scale)

• Control: 97/100 (~12.1/20 on universal scale)

• Stiffness: Firm

• Accuracy: 9.3/10

• Trajectory: 8.6/10 (medium, suitable for topspin and all-round strokes)

• Technologies: Light kiri core, three Trio UAC synthetic fiber layers, limba outer plies, Zhang Jike optimization

• Country of Origin: Germany

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Suitability: Modern all-round and offensive play, topspin strokes, blocks, counterattacks, close-to-table and mid-distance play

Donic Zhang Jike New Era distinguishes itself with its advanced construction, balanced speed-control combination and exceptional ball feel, suitable for modern all-round and attacking players:

• Ply Composition: The blade core is made of extremely lightweight kiri wood ensuring lightness and speed. It's surrounded by ayous layers providing stability and elasticity, while three finely woven Trio UAC synthetic fiber layers add exceptional sensitivity and ball feel. The outer limba wood layers, softer than the koto wood used in Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon, ensure higher control and softer feel. Compared to Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon (~12.6/20 speed, 95/100 control), New Era is slightly slower but offers higher control (97/100 vs. 95/100) and more balanced feel.

• Trio UAC Synthetic Fiber: The three synthetic fiber layers, unlike the two aramid carbon layers in Original Carbon model, give the blade a unique characteristic - extremely sensitive ball feel that facilitates precise shots and blocks. Compared to Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC (~12.8/20 speed, ~93/100 control), Donic New Era offers more balanced speed-control combination suitable for wider player base.

• Sensitive Feel: The limba outer plies and kiri core combined with Trio UAC layers ensure excellent feedback, allowing players to precisely feel ball contact. This is particularly important for serves, returns, blocks and precise topspin strokes. Compared to Yasaka Sweden Extra (~11.5/20 speed, ~12.5/20 control), Donic New Era offers greater speed and firmer feel while maintaining high control.

• Weight and Balance: The average weight (~85g) and 5.7mm thickness provide excellent balance between speed and control, suitable for both forehand and backhand strokes. The blade is lighter than Stiga Allround Classic Carbon (~88g), making it suitable for players seeking lightweight yet dynamic racket. Compared to Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon (~86g), New Era is slightly lighter, ensuring better maneuverability.

• Handle Design: Various handle options available (FL, ST, AN) adapted to different grip styles. Water-based glue (e.g. Donic Vario Clean) is recommended for rubber assembly. The blade is durable but edge tape (e.g. Donic Edge Tape) is recommended to prevent damage.

Technical Performance & Playing Characteristics:

• Speed (98/100, ~12.3/20): A fast blade suitable for topspin, attacking shots and counterattacks close to table or from mid-distance. Slightly slower than Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon (~12.6/20 speed) but with higher control. Faster than JOOLA PROLine ONE (~12.0/20 speed) with more balanced catapult effect.

• Control (97/100, ~12.1/20): The kiri core, ayous layers and limba outer plies ensure high control particularly for topspin, blocks and returns. Higher control than Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC (~11.7/20 control) making it more manageable in all-round play. Slightly lower than Stiga Allround Classic Carbon (~12.3/20 control) but with greater speed.

• Stiffness (Firm): Firm stiffness enhanced by three Trio UAC synthetic fiber layers ensures balanced shot acceleration and stability. Compared to Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive (medium stiffness), Donic New Era is stiffer, offering more power.

• Accuracy (9.3/10): High precision enables precise ball placement particularly for topspin and blocking shots. Limba layers and Trio UAC fiber minimize shot dispersion.

• Trajectory (8.6/10): Medium looping trajectory suits topspin and all-round strokes. Slightly lower than Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon (8.8/10), facilitating precise shots close to table. Blocking trajectory is stable, suitable for passive and active blocks.

Playing Aspects:

• Topspin Strokes (9.3/10): Very effective for topspin especially against backspin due to Trio UAC fiber and limba wood ensuring strong acceleration and precision. Medium trajectory suits balanced rallies.

• Blocking (9.4/10): Extremely effective for blocking topspin shots close to table, absorbing energy and ensuring stability. Limba layers and kiri core facilitate passive and active blocking.

• Push Shots (9.2/10): Enables precise pushes against backspin or dead balls, especially with sticky rubbers like Donic BLUEGRIP J-2.

• Counter-Hitting (9.3/10): Excellent for fast counterattacks close to table or from mid-distance leveraging Trio UAC's catapult effect and limba wood precision.

• Smashing (9.1/10): Effective for flat hits producing fast accurate trajectories with sufficient power.

• Serves & Receive (9.4/10): Allows precise serves and returns, particularly with sticky rubbers. Passive receive (9.4/10) is stable while active receive (9.3/10) benefits from sensitive feel.

• Flick Shots (9.3/10): Banana flicks are effortless due to Trio UAC fiber and limba wood ensuring accuracy and spin.

Rubber Compatibility:

Donic Zhang Jike New Era pairs excellently with various rubbers, especially sticky and medium-hard rubbers that complement the blade's speed-control balance:

• Donic BLUEGRIP J-2 (2.0-2.3mm, ~47-50° sponge): Provides excellent balance between speed, spin and control, suitable for forehand and backhand.

• Donic BLUEGRIP J-3 (2.0mm, ~42-45° sponge): Maximizes control and spin, ideal for backhand of all-round players.

• Butterfly Tenergy 05 (2.1mm, ~36° sponge): Complements blade's speed and spin, ideal for topspin.

• XIOM Jekyll & Hyde V47.5 (2.1mm, ~47.5° sponge): Offers balanced speed and spin for attacking players.

• Yasaka Rakza 7 (2.0mm, ~45° sponge): Balances control and speed for all-round players.

Medium-hard or sticky rubbers are recommended for forehand (e.g. Donic BLUEGRIP J-2 2.3mm) while softer rubbers suit backhand (e.g. Donic BLUEGRIP J-3 2.0mm) to maintain racket balance and control.

Additional Information:

Donic Zhang Jike New Era is developed based on Zhang Jike's experience coaching at table tennis schools in China and Donic technologies emphasizing lightweight kiri core, three Trio UAC synthetic fiber layers and soft limba wood that ensure speed, control and sensitive feel. Compared to Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon, New Era offers softer feel and higher control, suitable for modern all-round and attacking players. Compared to Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC, the blade is slower but more manageable, ideally suiting players seeking balance. Users praise its "excellent ball feel", "balanced speed" and "high control" though note it requires technique especially for aggressive shots. The blade is durable but edge tape and regular cleaning are recommended to prevent damage. ITTF-approved, Donic Zhang Jike New Era is suitable for high-level competition and ideally fits modern all-round and attacking players seeking speed, control and ball feel.

Who is Donic Zhang Jike New Era for?

• Modern all-round players: Seeking balanced blade suitable for Zhang Jike-style play.

• Attacking players: Emphasizing topspin, blocks, counterattacks and precise shots from all distances.

• Close-to-table and mid-distance play: Effective for topspin, blocks and all-round strokes.

• Serve & receive: Enables precise serves (9.4/10) and excels in passive (9.4/10) and active (9.3/10) receive.

• Players seeking balanced blade: Optimal for those wanting speed, control and sensitive feel.

Advantages of Donic Zhang Jike New Era:

• Speed (12.3/20): High speed suitable for topspin, attacks and counterattacks.

• Control (12.1/20): Excellent control particularly for topspin, blocks and returns.

• Stiffness (Firm): Ensures balanced catapult effect and stability.

• Accuracy (9.3/10): Minimizes shot dispersion.

• Light kiri core: Provides lightness and speed.

• Trio UAC synthetic fiber: Adds sensitivity and ball feel.

• Limba wood plies: Ensure soft, controllable feel.

• High quality: ITTF-approved for competition.

Compared to Donic Zhang Jike Original Carbon, it offers softer feel and higher control, appealing to all-round players. Compared to Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC, the blade is slower but more manageable, ideally suiting players seeking balance. Donic Zhang Jike New Era is ITTF-approved, suitable for high-level competition especially modern all-round and attacking players emphasizing speed, control and ball feel. Its lightweight kiri core, Trio UAC fiber and Zhang Jike optimization deliver exceptional performance. Donic Zhang Jike New Era - balance, sensitivity and a superstar's recommendation!

Donic Zhang Jike New Era

Donic Zhang Jike New Era

Donic Zhang Jike New Era