Donic Appelgren Allplay vs Stiga Carbonado 45: Which Should You Buy?
| Donic Appelgren Allplay | Stiga Carbonado 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | medium, controlled | Moderately stiff with deep reverberating vibrations; more wood-like dwell than typical carbon blades; high throw angle |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | Straight/Flared/Anatomic (coal-grey dyed wood) |
| plies | 5W (abachi core + limba) | 7-ply with TeXtreme carbon (5 wood + 2 carbon at 45-degree angle) |
| speed | ALL | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 85 | 85-91g |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Donic Appelgren Allplay is an ALL-speed 5-ply all-wood blade designed as the perfect first blade for developing players, offering outstanding control and feel across all strokes with high consistency and forgiveness. The Stiga Carbonado 45 is a premium 7-ply outer-carbon OFF blade at 85-91g with wood-like feedback, informative vibrations, and exceptional stability for advanced, loop-dominant competitors. At 8.3 vs 8.4, ratings are close, but they target entirely different skill levels and philosophies.
The Allplay excels as a do-everything learning tool with forgiveness that rewards developing technique. The Carbonado 45 demands advanced technique and competitive loop-dominant play, sacrificing speed for control and consistency. The Allplay pairs best with non-tension rubbers like Hurricane 3 or Mark V; high-tension rubber on the Allplay shifts it toward offense and reduces control. The Carbonado is faster (OFF vs ALL) and cuts through padding but requires strong technique and may disappoint power-first or far-table attackers. For beginners and developing players under 1800 USATT, the Allplay is clearly superior; for advanced competitors seeking premium feel and blocking stability, the Carbonado 45 is the appropriate choice.
FAQ
Which blade is better for beginners learning all strokes?
The Donic Appelgren Allplay is designed as an ideal first blade with outstanding control and high forgiveness. The Carbonado 45 has a harder feel and is not beginner-friendly.
Which blade is faster?
The Carbonado 45 is OFF speed, faster than the Allplay’s ALL speed. However, the Allplay is adequate for developing players.
Which blade pairs better with high-tension rubbers?
High-tension rubber changes the Allplay’s character toward offense and trims control, so it is not ideal for beginners using tension. The Carbonado pairs naturally with diverse rubber types.
Which blade offers better short game?
The Stiga Carbonado 45 has outstanding short game and drop shots. The Allplay offers control but is not specialty-class for short play.