The Different Uses of Classic Inner and Classic Outer Blades
The hottest structure is naturally 5+2: five wood plies, two fiber layers. The “classic” mentioned in this article also excludes special structures. The “inner” here is the classic inner-fiber plus ayous core; the “outer” is the classic outer-fiber plus kiri core.
Structurally, the 968 is what we mean by classic inner, while the Harimoto SALC is not. The Viscaria is what this article means by classic outer, while the Xu Xin Blue Label is not. So when reading this article, note that we only discuss those classic outer and classic inner blades this time.
1
The inner blade’s winning core is spin and power; the outer blade’s winning core is the sense of speed under medium power.
Inner blades — for example the W968 and S968 — can of course play some quick-exchange too, but generally their quick-exchange is inferior to classic outer. If they lose enough spin, inner blades seem a beat slow, and not threatening enough.
The inner blade’s absolute power ceiling is higher. When you reach the inner fiber layer and the ayous core, this core has better deformation tension and a jet feel, with higher absolute bottom power. With these spring-boards like the W968, N301, 520X and Heima-tuned Max ZFC, you swing one ball through and score directly. The single-ball quality is absolutely high. But suddenly switch to an outer Viscaria or Fan Zhendong ALC, and — huh — why can I not rip a ball to death now?
Outer blades, under medium power, release the ball better and more easily produce speed. Their quick-exchange is good, and placement is easier to control. For amateurs of so-so skill, never mind the ceiling — the point is they easily produce a satisfying sense of speed.
2
Inner blades need power to drive them more, so they depend more on your condition. Whether you play well actually has a huge relationship with energy and stamina.
Because the fiber is inner, when your power has not reached the fiber layer, it is just a piece of pure wood — and traditional pure wood at that. So it naturally seems sluggish. So when you have not slept enough, when your energy is low, or when you are not excited, playing feels: so tiring, I need a Red Bull; why can I not put the opponent away?
When you have slept enough, with full stamina, you swing and the ball speed is fierce, lightning-fast — perfect for players who want to end it in one shot. So generally, young people more easily get used to inner blades. Many players, reaching their fifties or sixties, cry that they cannot drive inner blades anymore. Clearly they just do not want to expend too much effort.
Often, our evaluation of an inner blade, besides our own blade habits, also relates to our current physical energy and condition at the moment. Sometimes we are actually fatigued, not excited enough, but we do not necessarily notice.
3
Outer blades more easily con balls onto the table with all sorts of weird strokes. On one hand, with outer fiber, part of the incoming ball’s spin and power is quickly canceled. On the other hand, outer blades really do seem easier to defend with under small-to-medium power.
When you lack enough power to drive an inner blade, or enough technique to control it, you will feel it easily catches spin, which outer blades tend not to. Because outer blades release the ball better and are relatively less prone to catching spin. Of course, relatively, the spin is also a bit worse, unless you make up for it with rubber pairing.
Right — an outer blade’s quality is more easily affected by rubber pairing. With outer fiber, the elasticity under medium power is naturally larger. You have to pair suitable rubber to control it. And it must also help you improve the ball-holding arc and spin ability.