I am essentially a defensive + player. I play with OX long pips on backhand (755 regular) and with OX (Dr. Evil) on forehand. I have not varied the rubber much because of cost and until recently pending ittf rulings.

My favorite blades are:
1. JUIC Kalinic (purchased used 20 yrs ago)
    This is an ALL or ALL+ but seems to work pretty well
2. Gambler Oversized Kevlar
3. Toxic 5 LKT
4. Yasaka Sweeper
5. Stiga Tube Defense
6. Mike Stowell 5 ply poplar custom

I am interested in:
JUIC Ghost
Nittaku Monophonic
Neubauer Barricade
Donic Defplay Senso
Nittaku Wiltrea
Neubauer Special
Neubauer Gladiator

I'm trying to fine tune my game and don't really see why the Kalinic is better on the block than the slower blades I have...

Any ideas. It would be expensive to try them all (plus start trying pips out rubbers

I know some of the hardbat players use Hock blades (?). It may be good for your type of game. Or you can try some combination blades. I have the best, Dr N Combinatin Effect.
I don't think your choice of rubbers has any worries of being illegal BTW.

I think the LKT Toxic 3 (I use the Toxic 5) is supoposed to be similar to the Hock blade. I don't have a strong forehand loop so I have been using more "push" oriented rubber. Does the Neubauer Combination Effect accentuate the effect of the pips? That's why I have been interested in Neubauer. That's their thing. With OX, the blade's qualities are surely much more noticable than with 2.5 sponge.
i have also noticed that the gluing technique mentioned on the Neubauer site seems to improve the blade/rubber combos I've tried it on. Any comment...
The key for me is :
Blocking,Control and Maximizing the Pips effect.
Also, any experience with the blades mentioned in the previous post...plus Hallmark Strategy?
Thanks.
p.s. What are your favorite rubber set-ups?

You can use inverted rubber for your fh if you can smash, drive, push, counter, and block. You don't have to loop to use inverted. That way your fh and bh have great spin difference, not to mention speed. At first you may have some trouble learning but you will see the potential of this game as you have more control of the rubber. I suggest using 1.5mm-1.8mm. A combination blade like the Combi Effect is even better as the speed of the balls coming from the fh side differt from that of the bh. For some opponents who are inexperience (under 1600) they can even missed the ball out right!!! Unfortunately I haven't try any of the blades you mentioned, or surely I will let you know how they play. Lastly, I use inverted--love H3, H2, Domination tuned, etc on fh and Bryce, Sriver, Inspirit Quattro etc. on bh.

I have personally used Dr.Neubauer Combination Effect paddle for at least 6 months. I would say they are excellent blades for combination play. That blade has brought me so many wins. The balsa in those blades give you extreme control and it is light too. When it comes to long pips, the best blade for maximum effect is balsa. Unfortunately I don't use this blade anymore. The reason is that it is expensive and is not ready available in the US. I have written a blog on the Combination Effect paddle in the blog section of this site. Just search for Dr.Neubauer.

Last week I've tried Dr.Neubauer Barricade. I have a review on that blade also in the blog section of this site. The Barricade is a extreme defensive blade while Combination Effect is an all round blade. Both the blades fit long pips. The Dr.Newbauer Barricade is extremely slow though the write up blaims it can be used for away from the table game. I think that description was meant if you use short pips on that blade.