For a while now i've been looking for a new blade. Up untill now i've been generally happy with the Avalox BT 777, and am a long time fan of 7-layered wooden attack blades. I was blessed with a 79,5g BT 777 some years ago and it's always been the blade i returned to after the occasional stint of EJ'ing in search of that which would propel my game to stardom. Don't judge me, i know you've been there too.

I'm also very picky about the handles i use, and it's been a hassle finding one that fits my small hand, the BT 777 being the closest match so far with it's short and stout handle. Given some of the discussions on this forum i was intriegued by Ma Longs choice in handles, which prompted me to order a PG-series blade from eacheng, the PG7. At the same time, i was looking to stray from my long time loveaffair with japanese tensor rubbers in the Nittaku Narucross series and ordered a few 38 deg. Haifu Whale II, red sponge rubbers from powerpingpong, keeping my stable companion Andro HeXer PowerSponge 2.1mm in the backhand.

When i received the blade, it's weight of 90g had me concerned, being used to lighter setups. The head is a bit larger than the BT 777, which also increases the weight in terms of rubber mass. It felt heavy. But when i held it for the first time, i knew it was love at first shake despite it's weight and I honestly think this is the flared handle i've been searching for. 

Was it worth the wait? Sure was, because not only does the handle allow the headheaviness to play to an advantage rather than a disadvantage, but the feel of the wood is absolutely amazing. I've tried various rubbers, both chinese and tensors and they all feel amazing in their own way. Despite the inherent speed and hardness of the blade, it's as if rubbers gain a higher throw compared to the BT 777, spin is increased, and balls seem to home in on the opponents side of the table even when you're exerting yourself to provide maximum power to your loops and drives. Something i was never quite comfortable with on the BT 777, where rubbers seemed to have lower throws which allowed for fewer mistakes.

After another 3 hour practice session today, i'm ready to make my conclusion. PG7 beats the BT 777 in almost every category except short play. My accuracy is up by 15%, something i attribute to both the improved throw characteristics and the fact that i can comfortably apply whatever force i require maybe because of my comfort with the PG7 handle. Combined with the incredible spin of the red sponge Whale II, successive loops against experienced long pip players seemed easy and required less work, allowing for quicker repositioning and better overview and placement after each shot. Being so consistent in regular drills was incredibly empowering because of the increased accuracy and surplus of overview.

The heaviness of the blade with rubbers requires me to more work intensely and the blade does not forgive as much as the BT 777 does. But the setup feels so good to me that i've begun rubber-band training to let my wrist/arm become increasingly comfortable with it. After a week of doing rubber-band training i can already feel the change in my explosiveness and the weight of the blade has instead become a lethal asset. 

This blade is really, really exciting. I've stille got some ways to go before i'm 100% comfortable with it, but in my days of EJ'ing, i've never felt this amount of potential in any blade in this short a time of play.