Donic Appelgren Allplay vs Sanwei V5 Pro: Which Should You Buy?
| Donic Appelgren Allplay | Sanwei V5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| feel | medium, controlled | hard, fast, crisp all-wood with strong vibration and a high-pitched ping |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | FL/ST |
| plies | 5W (abachi core + limba) | 7W (all wood) — ash outer plies over an ayous core |
| speed | ALL | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.8 | 6.3 |
| weight_g | 85 | 90 |
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These blades sit at different points on the development curve. The Donic Appelgren Allplay is an ALL-speed 5-ply built for control and feedback on every stroke, an ideal first blade that teaches looping, blocking, and the short game with high forgiveness. The Sanwei V5 Pro is a 7-ply all-wood OFF blade that is fast, very spinny, and crisp, but punishes imprecise strokes.
Speed is the obvious divider. The Allplay is adequate rather than fast, so committed attackers outgrow it; the V5 Pro brings the pace and bite an improving player wants, plus a large sweet spot that softens the demand a little.
Pick the Appelgren Allplay if you are a beginner or all-round/defensive player who wants one controllable blade to learn every stroke, ideally with a non-tension rubber. Step up to the V5 Pro once your technique is reliable and you want offensive speed and spin without overspending.
FAQ
Which is the better beginner blade?
The Donic Appelgren Allplay. Its control, feedback, and forgiveness make it an ideal first blade, while the V5 Pro rewards players who already have solid strokes.
Which is faster?
The Sanwei V5 Pro. It is an offensive all-wood blade with fast pace, whereas the Allplay is rated ALL and is only adequate in speed.
What rubber suits the Allplay?
It pairs best with quality non-tension rubbers like Yasaka Mark V or DHS Hurricane 3; high-tension rubber pushes it toward offense and trims its control.