A new installment of our Shovel Tests comes. On this occasion, our colleague Hugo R. has analyzed one of the most charismatic models of a young firm, which has been quick to draw attention to the aesthetics and quality of its products. If I had to define it in a few words, I would say that seldom does a name match so perfectly with the behavior of a shovel.
Padel World Press.- Good again fellow tracks ... On this occasion we turn to peek into the balcony from this medium to bring you a test of one of those shovels, because of the ignorance of the public about it, has surprised us again in a very pleasant way ... No is another than the model of the brand Spadda that they have called, in a very correct way, KATANA 1.0.
To begin, we would have to point out that we have been able to enjoy it completely new and to carry out the tests we have incorporated a protector of the same brand that, in addition to giving it more beauty due to its fluoride color, has been able to perfectly comply with its protective function. to the hurry to the glass and the wall ... And is that, as you know, you never have to give a ball for lost
Thanks to the management of The Padel Company we have been able to 'trastearla' it during several months and, in them, we have to say that it has not undergone any cosmetic problem nor of manufacture, reason why we are totally satisfied in that aspect.
We begin, as usual, detailing the product in hand.
Once we remove the shovel from its cover we can not help but let out an exclamation of amazement for its aesthetic beauty, which of course we give it an 10.
The shovel is presented to us with a 'carbon seen' color background on which the Spadda name stands out as well as the letter 'S', representative of the brand, in a yellow fluorine color to which small red and silver strips add, which they give it as a whole a sincerely brutal aspect. Undoubtedly, it is one of those models that will draw attention in the tracks because it will not go unnoticed. I doubt there is anyone who does not captivate at first sight.
It has a diamond shape (not so pronounced but rather rounding the shape) and a short handle. The test shovel weighed 365 grams and with our eyes we guess that, due to its shape, it will be a balanced and control blade. We'll see if he fools us.
This blade, to the touch, seems light although it is of 365 grams without counting overgrip, nor protector, being of a lightness that attracts the attention also. It is very agile and fast, with a medium touch. In this case, when we say half is effectively medium, neither hard nor soft. It also knows how to keep the balance in this aspect, something that invites us to think that it will have good versatility. Your balance is physically in the middle, it is therefore once again balanced.
Save details that we like, such as the size of the short handle or bracelet type strap, to which they have embroidered 'Spadda' in yellow fluorine. Its original grip is narrow, something usual in almost all shovels, so you will need to put some overgrip (which in our case were two).
We tighten the laces of the shoe and ... to the track !!!
As always we start the test by testing the ball with strokes of fondo, where we already noticed that following everything said above, the touch of the shovel is medium ... We feel the ball well in each stroke, so that its touch is very correct.
The ball output is pretty good. With barely effort we managed to pass the ball from the other side. Its sweet spot is very broad and here we have one of its virtues: the sweet spot occupies almost the entire face of the blade which allows a great control of the ball and helps to enjoy each hit in the background, moving the ball of side by side and to which all the possible types of effect (cut, topspin) come into play. Katana is very playful enough to apply different speeds to the ball.
Having said that, we are facing a model that, in our opinion, enjoys great control despite what its average tact can tell us previously. The sound of each hit is normal and pleasant you hit with what you hit and how hard you hit ... That's why we started to notice that you do not have to have a high level to enjoy with it and, therefore, We can give you a point very much in your favor in that aspect.
Once enjoyed from the bottom we started to get closer to the attack area and with that we began to understand why the brand gave it this name ... volleys in many occasions they require us to have a good rapidity of reflexes, displacement, armed ... And all this must be irrigated with great agility. This is where his great strength comes for us.
It is amazing to see how agile the shovel moves, how fast it moves that allows you to move it to all sides and what a taste of impact thanks to its great edge (sweet spot) which, without a doubt, leads us to imagine that we have our hand an authentic samurai sword: a katana.
Our editor always asks us for a title or adjective that defines each shovel we tried but, in this case, we can not be more in agreement with the brand in which its name defines it perfectly ... It is a Katana with a finesse, speed and barbaric elegance, with which we managed to use a refined technique in each hit that will result in fast and placed volleys ... And it is even a shovel that has a good ball output and good power. If our teacher saw us now ... For me it is the area where this shovel stands out but not the only one.
When volleying with this shovel, our rivals will want to pass us up as soon as possible and that is where we will check how the tray... And do not disappoint us at all. Once again, its agility and its very broad sweet spot join a power that does not fall short. Here we will also get a great control of the ball, to which we can add force to the blow so that they come out fast and placed, being able to apply the viper effect to make it even more lethal.
The trays, both attack and containment, will come easily to anything that we know accompany them minimally. As we have already said, it is a shovel that all people can enjoy, regardless of their level.
And when a balloon is left to our liking. we will execute the Smash, where possibly it is not excellent but we can not make the mistake of saying that it is a 'but' in this shovel.
We are, for us, with a shovel with good control and sweet spot as we do not tire of repeating ... Your average touch will not add but will not detract from the impact while the help of the carbon provided makes it have a quite acceptable power it will not even displease those lovers of the 'sticks'.
The dry blow that we can print along with a correct technique and an average dose of strength will make our auctions more than satisfactory. Without a doubt it is not his 'fetish blow' but it is not out of place at all since it has the power, as we said on the volleys, enough to make sure that our hammer blows do not fall.
And of course, if we talk about the wall outlet, It is another coup where we are going to enjoy it by adding all the factors in favor that we have already said before. Great agility, sweet spot, medium touch, firmness and control will result in a good range of possibilities to surprise the opponent either with direction, short or deep ball or quickly, of course being able to apply the effects that our wrist has.
As for balloons, no problem with them. Shovel with good control and agile can not lead us to failure with this type of blow. The balloons, both comfortable and somewhat forced, will take the direction and depth that we know how to apply. Feeling the ball in the strike also helps us to take this blow to a good port.
And finally, this time we have to go to the puddening, where we have little more to say that you have not been concluding with the data that we have offered. The samurai carried their Katanas on the battlefields, but what differentiated a samurai from the rest of the fighters was that for them the 'HONOR' was their maxim, that being said, we can assure you that with this Katana 1.0 your honor will not be injured. It is a shovel that improves technique for us, helped in part by the strongest point it has, agility. You can move from one side to another with a quick armed even in the worst situations, its acceptable power and a good ball out will not let you stay helpless, you just have to accompany it and with a little skill you will know how to take advantage of all its virtues.
As we have already said, this time we can not catalog our test pad with a name other than its own: The Spadda 'Katana' 1.0
We do not know if the name was aimed at the agility, finesse, speed and good behavior that our test shovel has offered us, but in this particular case, it is one of those few times that the name and behavior of a shovel go absolutely from hand.
In summary…
The aesthetic is from 10. The dark base colors mixed with fluorine colors always leave us fascinated ... If we also add an elegant sobriety, we are facing one of the most beautiful shovels on the market.
Model made to feel like a samurai. In fact, they want to brandish it on the net like an authentic Katana. It is a shovel of maximum agility; It's nice to move it and, therefore, it can allow us certain luxuries with the technique and some fine and sharp strokes. Your favorite place is the net, with the volley and the tray, but you will not feel any anguish on the side of the court or executing a blow. The weight is not noticeable and it even frightens at first, then you can only enjoy it with it.
We do not have a 'mole' to put on it, although it is true that this agility can penalize something in the auctions, which are not his favorite shot. Even so, the hitters will not be able to put too many drawbacks on them in that aspect since it will perfectly fulfill its function.
In defense will accompany us quite well. Once again, its agility will help us but it is a shovel that power and ball output is very even, not being an 10 in any but quite acceptable in both.
We are facing another pleasant surprise for this team and something that reinforces us in the idea that we transmit to you in each test: DO NOT STOP PROOFING BLADES BEFORE DECIDING FOR ONE. We can always come up with a model that offers great results ... And there is a shovel for each one of us.
We take this opportunity to tell you that we never look at the general data and, in this particular case, the percentages given by the brands to their shovels on power and control, so as not to create preconceived ideas. Therefore, it is possible that our sensations do not match what the manufacturer indicated. This does not mean that what the brand says or what we do is not true, we simply talk about 'our sensations' and that is what we try to convey in these lines.
And so far, the test of the Spadda KATANA 1.0, a shovel agile, complete, jugona and that never left in any padel paddle that boasts. A silent and precise weapon as if it were a Japanese sword.
Remember that your comments are well received at the bottom of this page, by twitter, facebook or by email to [email protected] .
Greetings and ... See you on the tracks!
Hugo R.
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