Review date: 22 July 2024
I’ve recently been testing the OSP Virtuoso AC. This is a 7 ply blade, with carbon layers next to the core. I ordered with a head size of 157mm x 150mm and a straight handle with 100mm length. The weight of the blade is 86.3g.
I tested the blade with my usual rubbers, JOOLA Dynaryz AGR. I played with the blade for approximately five hours against a few different players.
Let’s start with the positives. The blade is beautifully made. The handle is very smooth and easy to turn in the hand, making it easy to switch between forehands and backhands. There are no rough edges like you can get in mass produced blades. The finishing has a premium feel.
It’s very easy to play with. It has a slightly higher arc compared to my usual blade – JOOLA ROSSI Emotion PBO-C. It felt that every drive and topspin had a little extra safety as the ball rises up and then dips when it has cleared the net.
It has excellent spin generation. If I really committed to brushing the ball – topspinning strongly – my opponents struggled to block these balls back. The sound when topspinning is lovely too. A really nice ‘tock’ sound. Counter topspin is also very easy, in particular on my backhand. Everything counter topspin I hit seemed to land on the table, which is a rare experience for me. The blade does have more of a wooden feel, rather than a carbon feel. This gives more dwell, which helps generate very spinny shots.
Blocking is also very easy with this blade. It can handle a lot of incoming spin and it doesn’t jump out too fast. I did struggle with slower attacks. These blocks tended to go into the net. But I shouldn’t really be blocking these slower attacks anyway. A counter topspin would be much better – certainly with this blade.
Any negatives about the OSP Virtuoso AC? The big drawback for me is the lack of speed. I’m very used to playing with fast carbon blades, and the OSP Virtuoso AC just didn’t have enough ‘out-of-the-box’ speed for my liking. It is advertised as a carbon bat, with a wooden feel and I think that’s a fair description. It does feel more like an all-wood bat.
There is speed there, but you have to fully commit to an attacking stroke. My 90% attacking strokes were fast and were seldom returned. But my 70% attacking strokes – the more controlled strokes – just seemed too slow, dropped too short and were easily returned.
For this reason, it’s not a blade that is going to work for me. But for a different type of player – someone whose game is based around strong spin and a good touch – or even a more consistently aggressive attacker – this blade could be a very good choice.
Overall verdict: a beautifully made blade, with excellent spin generation, but lacks speed.
You can find out more and order the blade from the OSP website: https://ospblades.com/virtuoso-ac-aramid-carbon-controlled-offensive-table-tennis-blade-for-poly-ball/