Nittaku Violin vs Stiga Allround Classic: Which Should You Buy?
| Nittaku Violin | Stiga Allround Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback | soft, high control |
| handle | FL | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) | 5W |
| speed | ALL+ | ALL |
| thickness_mm | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| type | ALL+ | — |
| weight_g | 86 | 75 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Nittaku Violin and Stiga Allround Classic both prioritize control and feel, but at different price points and speeds. The Violin is a premium Made-in-Japan 5-ply with a Kiri core and White Ash outers, soft and flexible with long dwell, rated ALL+. The Allround Classic is a budget 5-ply rated ALL, famous for class-leading control, high dwell and honest feedback that helps you learn strokes.
On speed the Violin sits a touch higher at ALL+ but is still slower than its billing and weak from distance. The Allround Classic is slow by modern standards with little inherent power, especially away from the table, and a medium-small sweet spot that asks you to supply your own pace and good contact.
For styles, the Violin suits developing offensive and all-round players who loop close to mid-table and want premium craftsmanship, while needing harder or tackier rubbers to reach full potential. The Allround Classic suits beginners and developing players building correct technique and touch, plus control-oriented all-round and blocking players, and it is hugely versatile by rubber choice from classic to tensor to tacky Chinese. The Allround Classic is lighter at around 75 grams versus 86 for the Violin.
Buying advice: pick the Violin for premium feel and a step into a custom setup, and the Allround Classic for outstanding value, learnability and longevity. Both rate 8.4.
FAQ
Which blade is better for a beginner?
The Stiga Allround Classic is the classic learner blade, with class-leading control and honest feedback at a budget price, while the Violin is a premium option for developing players ready for a custom setup.
Which is faster?
The Nittaku Violin is rated ALL+ versus ALL for the Allround Classic, though both are slow by modern standards and ask you to supply much of the pace.
What handle shapes are available?
The Violin is offered in FL, while the Allround Classic comes in FL, ST and AN.
Which is lighter?
The Allround Classic is lighter at around 75 grams, compared with around 86 grams for the Violin.