Click on any of the links to see the feedback about our blades
Country: Canada
Blade: Kameo Kombination
Rubber:
Forehand: Sriver-EL Max
Backhand: C8 OX
League(s): Canadian Table Tennis Association
Style of Play: 80 to 20 chop to loop ratio.
YLT positives: A great combination blade. You can notice the speed differential on the forehand side versus the backhand side. It seems like I am getting good effect of my C8 long pimples on the pimples side of the racket. I appreciate the varnish on the blade and the balsa wood on the backhand side of the handle gives off a warm, comforting sensation. I have a great feeling of control when chopping any type of ball by an opponent, as the wood on the pimples side dampen the ball and permits it to dip and dive over the net. Sometimes, this can cause opponents to be surprised about the weird directional path of the ball.
YLT negatives: The wood on the forehand side of the handle is already chipping, and I think I take pretty good care of my blade. The handle could be improved which will make me like the bat even more. I would prefer a bigger and rounder handle and the racket head size could also be enlarged to maximize the length of time the ball can "rub" off my C8.
YLT Overall: Absolutely the best blade I have tried. It beats all that expensive overpriced defensive blades from all those mainstream brands. I have found the ideal bat for me. It has an excellent price to quality ratio, and makes me feel good in that I can get a nice product without paying the top bucks.
Service: Asides from the racket, Mr. Bellamy is one of the nicest guys I have ever come across in terms of equipment dealers. He responded to all my E-mails with relevant and thoughtful comments and my longest wait was merely one day for a reply, and he even replies on weekends too!! In corresponding with Mark, you will get a sense that he has your interests in consideration and that he really appreciates you in using his products. I live all the way in the western tip of Canada, and the blade was made and shipped to me in 2.5-3 weeks. It was shipped in a sturdy cardboard box with LOTS of padding and protection. Great care in packaging! There were absolutely no delays in the shipping process.
Quality: The best blade I have used which suits my playing preferences.
Additional: Free Shipping to Canada!! I would definitely recommend this blade to anyone who is a looper/chopper. You will be pleasantly surprised, and even if you don't like it, how can you go wrong with a 25 sterling racket?
Other: am ordering several more, going to ask Mark if he can tailor my next bat for an extra fee.
Country: Belgium
Blade: Kameo Kombination
Rubber:
Forehand: friendship 729 higher transcend sponge
Backhand: Neubauer Superblock
League(s): Ouvrière and Royale
Style of Play: Defense backhand and fast loop attack in forehand.
YLT positives: Very good control for the Superblock and good speed in forehand to attack quickly but also control to chop on both sides if you aren't close to the table.
YLT negatives: Just a detail: only one type of handle straight but I begin to love it too.
YLT Overall: Should be better known everywhere, good quality and service.
Service: Very good service, always an answer which really help you.
Quality: Very good, varnish on both side so no problem to glue (I recommend to use fine sandpaper if you use speed glue, otherwise it will be difficult to fix your rubber).
Additional: When a defensive blade? (not for me, I have found what I was looking for with the Kameo Kombination).
Other:Thanks to YLT.
Country: Spain
Blade: Kameo Kombination
Rubber: Globe 999 on Canon 2.2mm sponge (glued) - 755 faster
League(s): Cataluña
Style of Play: Attacking LP.
YLT positives: LP side works really well, well balanced, great handle, very well made, excellent personal service.
YLT negatives: Head slightly too compact.
YLT Overall: Excellent.
Service: Personal, great email communication.
Quality: High.
Additional: This is a very well-balanced blade with great feel. My only criticism is the head is too compact, I'd prefer something a tad larger, but the blade is very effective as it stands and I can't see me changing.
Other:
Country: UK
Blade: Kameo Kombination
Rubber:
Forehand: Friendship 799-1 short pimple 1.5 mm
Backhand: Hallmark Super Special ox
League(s):Wakefield / Pontefract / Leeds / Yorkshire Veterans
Style of Play: Try to play modern defence.
YLT positives: Good feel to handle, best combination bat, excellent control.
YLT negatives: The first blade I bought plays better than the later blades. This may be because it is ever so slightly slower on speed and has more control. Difficult to glue n/s rubber to varnished blade.
YLT Overall: 9 out of 10.
Service: First class.
Quality: Excellent value for money.
Additional: B/h could do to be slower to get better effect and more control from long pimples. I have a Toni Hold blade and it is even better for using the Super Special on the b/h.
Other:
Country: France
Blade: Kameo Kombination
Rubber: Joola Mambo & Palio CK 531A
League(s): Régionale 4
Style of Play: Allround.
YLT positives: Very goods combi blades & nice completion.
YLT negatives: Nothing.
YLT Overall: Great blade's maker.
Service: Very fast & cheap.
Quality: Very good quality.
Additional:
Other:
Country: UK Dorset
Blade: Kameo (with Cameo as back up) combination (Cameo used for 2/3 years till change)
Rubber:
Forehand: Scalpel
Backhand: Winning komann speed (or Tackiness d/c)
League: Local league player - good Div 1 standard (play in three leagues) (veteran)
Style: Awkward? Trying to learn to twiddle.
Positives: Cameo feels part of my hand, very easy to use; weighting really does help stroke control. Shape can upset opponent's logic. Very natural balance.
Negatives: To be honest the BPA system has zero effect - I don't think I'm good enough to notice the difference. I find pulling out and turning round the "tongue" helps me to focus during the game, it also seems to un-nerve opponents for some reason. Using long pimples on my forehand is a problem as my thumb fairly rapidly rubs off lots of pimples (the old hallmark super special was terrible)
Additional: I really like the Cameo, its helped my game a lot, it provides a talking point and gives opponents a reason as to why they lost - people focus on the blade and not the style of game that your playing. I only wish I could twiddle with it. The Kameo which I've been using for about 6 months (after an unsuccessful try out of a hallmark combination ultra) is working out OK but I suspect that once twiddling becomes easier I'll return to the Cameo and just put up how unbalanced it feels "reversed".
Using long pimples on my forehand I have no idea what its like to loop with, but I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a natural feel to their backhand.
I'm very impressed with the variety of blades that you produce and have always had very sound advice whenever I've contacted you.
(Note: Cameo Combination and bpa technology are available upon request)
Country: England
Blade: Kameo Konventional
Rubber: Magna/Cermet
League(s): West Middlesex
Style of Play: Fast attack/loop
YLT positives: Balanced weight distribution, consistent ball feeling, and power with control.
YLT negatives: Compact head size.
YLT Overall: other makers you can actually ask YLT questions.
Service: Very speedy and efficient. No charge.
Quality: Outstanding workmanship.
Additional: I have tried a vast amount of blades in the past and found that the information provided on them in regards to speed and weight is not always very accurate, very frustrating. With YLT I had an opportunity to converse with the craftsman to actually put across my requirements.
Other: In the past I had to fit my game around my blade. Since finding YLT I have a blade that actually compliments my game.
Country: USA
Blade: Kameo Konventional
Rubber:
Forehand: Tibhar Rapid X-Press Black Max
Backhand: Goldway 916 Destroyer Red 2.0mm or Friendship 729 Dr Evil Red OX when my shoulder hurts.
League: No leagues where I live.
Style: Mostly a two-winged mid-distance power looper. When my shoulder hurts (nagging rotator cuff problem), I play pips on the backhand for blocking and occasional chopping and try to move for my forehand as much as I can and stay at the table (YLT blade is very good for that).
Positives: A very unique blade with superb feel. Comfortable handle (pine/balsa). Perhaps the best blocking touch I've ever experienced.
Negatives: Small head size. Small sweetspot (corresponding to the head size). Considered a YLT ALL blade which is larger but it is too heavy at 100gr (Andro blade that I used is 80gr).
YLT Overall: Very good products, although perhaps better for close to the table players.
Service: Excellent.
Quality: Very good workmanship.
Additional:
Other:
Country: USA
Blade: YLT MasterCraftman
Rubber: ATP Reisman cloth-less Red and Black
League(s): Berks, Manor, Pottsgrove
Style of Play: All round, close to the table, two sided hitter, blocker, counter-driver.
YLT positives: Blade has low centre of gravity which enhances feel and control. Head shape and handle facilitate proper neutral shake hand grip which allows most versatile play-best grip for backhand, off-the-table and defensive play when needed and very strong for shots to the corner. Excellent control for deceptive forehand and backhand short no spin serves with reserve power to back off opponents with surprise fast topspin serves. Good for short no spin and backspin pushes to stop opponent's attack and drop shots against defensive players who hang too far off from the table. Good for quick off the bounce aggressive blocks and counter drives against loops and chop blocks against topspin. When forced out of my normal close to the table position, the blade is excellent for low backspin chop drives. I find the blade and rubber particularly effective for smash no spin (dead) kill shots which cause many errors from sponge players.
YLT negatives: The blade is heavy with a bigger head than used by most of today's players. I would not recommend the blade for sponge rubber which would add more weight. The blade is ideally suited for a classic all round hard rubber game. I believe the blade would also be an excellent choice for an experienced ox or thin sponge aggressive- all round long pips player.
YLT Overall: Excellent fit with Reisman rubber.
Service: Super.
Quality: Outstanding.
Additional: B/h could do to be slower to get better effect and more control from long pimples. I have a Toni Hold blade and it is even better for using the Super Special on the b/h.
Other: As mentioned to you earlier I had some separation of the rubber from the edges of the blade. I cured this problem with a protective several coat application of clear hard fingernail polish to the edge of the blade and under the separated rubber, letting the application of polish dry with books placed on top of the blade as it lay flat.
ATP Sport extensively tested 'the master craftsman' for YLT Table Tennis concluding:
"The blade is as fast as a stiff 5-ply Hock or similar blade but owing to its unique flexibility it has the control of a 3-ply Hock. 'the master craftsman' has a huge 'sweet spot' owing to the handle being purposely positioned low down on the blade enabling the pimpled rubber to cover the entire surface of the blade. This gives the blade enormous control advantages over conventional blades".
Mike Babuin - hard bat enthusiast, tested 'the master craftsman' for YLT Table Tennis:
"I had the opportunity to test a Master Craftsman bat designed and built by YLT which had Reisman hardbat rubber on both surfaces. The first thing that struck me was the shape of the striking surface -- a bit larger than I was used to but not overly large like most classic chopping blades (Hock's). If anything the combination of the rubber and bat was exceptionally well-suited and it played brilliantly. I was very surprised as to the control the blade disp[layed, as well as the speed of the bat itself. While not the absolute fastest blade that I have ever used, I would still classify it as a very fast bat with great control (for me, especially on forehand drives). The bat also passed the Mike "bounce" test -- which to me shows good responsiveness (from a dropped ball from 6 inches in the air onto the bat itself). No dead zones here...the blade was very responsive and had a nice feel in ones hand -- especially the smooth contours of the handle which didn' aggravate my table tennis callouses on my thumb and forefinger (from chronic, daily practice). Finally, I must say that the choice of the Reisman rubber was the right one for this bat...it had all of the feel and characteristics of classic Leyland rubber and performed superbly on a consistent basis. Overall this is a thumbs up hardbat which I recommend wholeheartedly to other enthusiasts of the classic sport".
