JOOLA Chen Weixing, TSP BalsaPlus 3.5 and XIOM Aigis are defense + blades. Though XIOM Aigis is categorized as Defense, it is still a Defense + blade. I have been using all these blades for 6 months after I have decided to go away from Dr.Neubauer Combination Effect blade – Dr.Neubauer makes excellent blades but the blades does not last longer for me.
Materials
JOOLA Chen Weixing and XIOM Aigis have both Limba wood in the outer layer. JOOLA Chen Weixing has Kiri wood also as an internal layer with some cloth between the wooden layers. As its name implies, TSP BalsaPlus 3.5 has thick balsa wood with fiber glass as a separate layer.
Size and construction
The size of the face of both JOOLA Chen Weixing and XIOM Aigis are the same. It makes easy for you to switch the rubbers. The TSP BalsaPlus 3.5 is little smaller than the others two. The handle of both Chen Weixing and BalsaPlus 3.5 are circular in shape while the XIOM Aigis is almost square. All there blades have a cut at the top where the thumb can rest.
Feel
The XIOM Aigis has a hard feel. The Chen Weixing and Balsa Plus 3.5 has soft feeling.
Speed
The Chen Weixing blade is faster among these three. The XIOM Aigis come next. The TSP Balsa 3.5 is slower.
Control
The TSP BalsaPlus 3.5 has the best control among all the three blades.
While Serving
The TSP BalsaPlus 3.5 and XIOM Aigis is easy to manipulate while serving.
Defense
Attack and Power
The TSP Balsa Plus 3.5 blade lacks little power in hitting or smashing. The JOOLA Chen Weixing shines very well when it comes to hitting, and then playing a classic top spin game. However, I have found TSP Balsa Plus 3.5 and XIOM Aigis are very good for modern top spin game – it may due to their not-so-thick blade face. They are easy to maneuver from defense to top spin. All three are very good for close to the table and mid distance game.
Rubbers that match
I have used long pips rubbers on all the three blades backhand. I have found TSP Curl P1R is the best for its backhand. I don’t suggest the no-sponge version but 0.5 or 1.0 mm or above are the best suitable candidates. On the forehand the best rubber for JOOL Chen Weixing and XIOM Aigis are Chinese tacky rubbers. The tensor rubber suit well to the TSP Balsa Plus 3.5.
xiom aigis def
xiom aigis def
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Please explain to me why Dr N blades don’t last long for you. The blades become slower when it gets old and perhaps less of a combination blade, but they should still be in good enough condition to play. How often do you change blades and why?
The first reason is the handle gets the thumb impressions very fast. So after a while the handle looks like carved. I have this problem with whatever I use. I had this problem with badminton bats also. Secondly it is easy to break after hitting at a table. A Small crack on the blade drives me nuts.
You could have put a rubber on the handle to keep the handle clean and damage free, but the small crack thing–I have to say it’s just you being a perfectionist. BTW the Combi Effect that I got is still in the same condition that it was in when I got it. I almost never damage my blades, but the ball on my pushes (that I have to run forward to get) usually goes long as a result of not wanting to hit the table.
:-O 
I realized about the overgrip only later. Still, sometimes I forget to wrap. Once I went to the tournament and there only I realized I have forgetten the L-JOINT for the pressure box.
Yeah, whatever happen to your pressure box that you pay good money for and haven’t been using it because you don’t use tuned rubbers anymore?
hi,,
What is the best rubber for xiom aigis? have u tried guillotine s?? What about in FH??butterfly tackiness??stiga chop n drive??or others??