Customer review for Donic Waldner Senso Carbon V1

External Review for Donic Waldner Senso Carbon V1 on February 18, 2013

My brother owns this blade, the Waldner Senso Carbon ("Waldner"), and i got to try it for a while. I own the model after this, the Waldner Ultra Senso Carbon ("Ultra"). I thought i would focus on comparing the two, since i am in a position to do so, and i imagine more than one person will be comparing the two when they buy:

CARBON LAYERS--The first thing i noticed was the difference in the carbon layers: the Ultra has the carbon layers deeper in the plies, like the Darker brand hinoki/carbon composite blades, or the Butterfly Innerforce blades. Only taking into account the feel, I actually prefer the Ultra. It feels more woody, particularly when not hitting hard. The Waldner feels closer to The way Butterfly's best-selling carbon blades do (Boll ALC, the Michael Maze, Viscaria, etc....), a bit of a "ping" to it, since the carbon is nearer the surface. The Ultra and the Waldner are quite different in this respect. I recommend hitting with both before buying if you are unsure.

POWER--The Ultra has more power from mid distance, so much that it can be difficult to control. The Waldner, on the other hand, feels solidly OFF-, as Donic advertises. For a carbon blade, the Waldner has great control, and that is no small compliment. No surprise that Ovtcharov uses the Waldner to reign in the freaks he has to play. It is professional quality, no question. If you are unsure whether you have the technique and experience to steer the wild OFF+ power of the Ultra, or if control is a clear priority for you, then i recommend the Waldner as clearly the best choice.

HANDLE--my brother's Waldner is a FL handle, my Ultra is ST. Though i have a preference for ST handles (and highly recommend the ST handle of either blade), i have to say the FL handle on the Waldner is the most comfortable, best designed FL handle i have ever experienced. I am a grown man with big hands, and small handles irritate me. The Waldner FL is fantastic. If i wanted a FL handle, this would be it.

All in all, the Waldner is a fantastic blade. I like it better than my own Ultra. It is particularly nice that it costs half to a third what comparable blades cost.

Well done, Donic!

Review helpful? Yes | No

← Back to All reviews for Donic Waldner Senso Carbon V1