10 Blades Well Suited for Penhold Backhand Attack
Whenever I take up this topic, the influence of penhold national team stars inevitably shapes the conversation. Their results have added credibility to certain blades. Today, let’s talk about 10 blades that work particularly well for penhold backhand attacking play.
N656-1
Representative user: Wang Hao
Compared with the N656, the N656-1 has a thicker core layer. I still remember vividly what it felt like to play with the N656-1 loaded with boosted provincial Hurricane — the topspin loops that came off it were explosive. Maybe I just happened to get an exceptional piece, but it was magnificent. Watching two friends use N656-1 now, I still feel this custom all-wood five-ply is more than adequate.
First, it is forgiving. Second, the power reserve is not as deep as the 968 or 301 penhold blades, but it transmits energy cleanly, which makes placement precise and lets you execute all kinds of touch shots. On top of that, the combination of spin and speed is excellent. The result: it ages well, and the feel in the hand is outstanding.
N301
Representative users: Xue Fei, Xu Xin
Honestly, even the retail version of the Hurricane 301 is a strong value blade. In my mind, the Hurricane 301 and my custom “Miao” (a Zhang Jike SALC-structure blade) are the two best deals in this price bracket. The 301 is genuinely spinny, even if it is not fast. Both forehand and backhand can generate heavy spin.
It also takes outer carbon fiber well. Butterfly once gave me a sample N301; I don’t know whether it had been particularly well dried, but I stuck two sheets of Tenergy on it and the result was powerful and authoritative.
In a sense, whatever fiber goes into the N301 structure — KLC, ALC, or high-density fiber — penhold reverse backhand play works well on all of them. I have tried the penhold special editions of all three variants. The 301H special feels a touch faster off the bounce, with slightly thicker face veneer that makes it harder to drive through.
Boll ALC and Boll 70th Anniversary
Representative user: Qiu Dang
Qiu Dang has used the Boll ALC penhold special edition for many years. The backhand on the Boll ALC offers very high forgiveness and spin potential. The forehand can feel stiff when paired with Hurricane-type rubbers, or a bit “ball-gobbling” with average tacky rubbers — a reflection of the blade’s crispy-outside, soft-inside character.
The Boll 70th Anniversary features deeper power reserve, improved bounce, and equally good forgiveness. It is a genuine step up. Spin capability is further enhanced.
Fan Zhendong ALC
Representative users: Xue Fei, Zhao Zihao
Both have used the FZD ALC penhold edition. Zhao Zihao also tried the Zhang Jike ALC; Zheng Peifeng has used the Lin Gaoyuan ALC. Structurally they are all similar — a softer Viscaria character. These blades excel at controllability. Butterfly’s outer ALC has consistently delivered stable reverse backhand performance.
B-Horse Custom ALC and PLC
Feedback from my own community shows that some penhold players feel the custom ALC has a touch-feel similar to a higher-powered Boll ALC, while others compare it to the Zhang Jike ALC Pro, and still others to the FZD ALC. Subjective impressions vary. But the custom ALC’s dwell-time and pause sensation are genuinely good, and among outer ALC blades its spin capacity is above average. Penhold reverse backhand play is no problem.
The custom PLC, structurally speaking, is a penhold Harimoto ZLC. It has already built up a solid repeat-buyer base.
Xu Xin Blue Label
Representative user: Xu Xin
I have tried the penhold carbon version, and I have personally played with the shakehand Blue Label. On the shakehand version, the balance point is rather head-heavy; when you drive with full power the result is authoritative, but there is a certain effort involved. The penhold Blue Label, however, has received very positive feedback from many players — smooth to play, both forehand and backhand loops come easily with an almost effortless on-table quality.
Tibhar Felix
Representative user: Felix LeBrun
We have talked about this blade quite a bit. Compared to a typical inner carbon blade, this one has faster initial speed and smoother transition between strokes — good for players who enjoy quick exchanges on both wings. The power reserve is not its strong suit, but it handles both looping and driving equally well.
Harimoto Tomokazu SALC
Some elite team players have picked this up for penhold reverse backhand use. Consistent feedback: dwell time, arc quality, forgiveness, and spin all work together beautifully.
Innerforce Layer ZLC
A board of legendary status in its time. In years past, several high-level local penhold players used it. Steady as a rock; forehand power is also solid.
Super Zhang Jike
One key reason it suits reverse backhand play is the thin blade body. When thin, paired with a tacky rubber, spin generation is remarkably smooth. And the SZLC produces a pressure sensation — courtesy of the tacky rubber — that combines spin and high speed. Some national team players have said the Super ZJK is hard to drive through, but for recreational players, you don’t always need to drive through it; as long as you can dwell and generate threat, that is enough.
This is a blade verified by high-level amateur penhold players to be a strong match for reverse backhand attacking play.