Over the past two decades, modern penhold has changed dramatically.
Today’s penhold players are no longer relying only on traditional forehand attacks and quick blocks. They are expected to loop with RPB, counterattack close to the table, transition smoothly between forehand and backhand, and stay consistent under pressure.
As the technique has evolved, I have often asked myself another question:
Shouldn’t the grip evolve as well?
Modern Penhold Demands More From the Handle
Traditional Chinese penhold has stood the test of time, and its strengths are undeniable.
However, today’s game places much higher demands on the hand than it did thirty years ago.
A modern penhold player needs a grip that can support:
- Fast transitions between forehand and RPB.
- Stable racket angles during rapid rallies.
- Comfortable long training sessions.
- Confident attacking without constantly adjusting the grip.
If the handle cannot provide these things, players end up compensating with their fingers and wrist.
Eventually, consistency suffers.
Comfort Is Not a Luxury—It Is Part of Good Technique
Many players think comfort and performance are separate.
I don’t.
Throughout my years of working with penhold players, I have noticed that discomfort often leads to unnecessary grip changes.
The hand tightens.
The fingers move.
The racket angle changes.
Before long, what looks like a technical problem is actually a grip problem.
A comfortable grip makes it much easier to repeat the same stroke hundreds of times.
And in table tennis, repetition is the foundation of consistency.
Why I Developed the Su Style Tiger Claw
When designing the Su Style Tiger Claw, I wasn’t trying to reinvent penhold.
I wanted to refine it for the way modern players actually play.
After more than 30 years of continuous development, every part of the handle was designed with one purpose:
To help the hand stay relaxed, stable, and ready for both forehand and RPB.
One of the key features is the thenar support, which gives the base of the thumb a more secure point of contact.
Instead of relying only on finger pressure to stabilize the racket, the palm naturally helps support the grip.
This creates a stronger feeling of connection between the player and the blade.
Another feature is the angled index-finger platform.
Rather than concentrating pressure on a narrow contact point, it increases the contact area of the index finger.
This distributes pressure more evenly, making long practice sessions noticeably more comfortable.
When the index finger is comfortable, players are less likely to unconsciously change their grip during play.
Sanwei Su Style Tiger Claw
- ITTF Approved: Fully compliant with ITTF regulations, the Sanwei Su Style Racket is certified for use in any level of table tennis competition, ensuring you stay competitive and compliant with official standards.
- Ultimate Pen-Holding Solution: Specifically engineered for pen-hold players, the Su Style Racket offers unmatched comfort and control, addressing the unique needs of pen-hold enthusiasts.
- Ergonomic Swing Design: Utilizing ergonomic principles, the traditional CS handle is transformed to align the racket face parallel to the palm. This design reduces strain and enhances the natural swing motion, providing better control and precision.
- More structures are available for selection.
- The handle design has been updated to make it more comfortable
- Free Shipping Worldwide!
Better Grip, Better Strokes
A modern grip design should do more than simply feel different.
It should help players perform more consistently.
When the hand remains stable and comfortable:
- Grip adjustments become less frequent.
- Racket angle becomes easier to reproduce.
- RPB transitions feel smoother.
- Players can focus on the ball instead of thinking about their fingers.
In my experience, high-quality shots begin with a repeatable grip.
My Thoughts After 30 Years
People often ask me whether technique or equipment is more important.
I always give the same answer:
Technique comes first.
But good equipment should make good technique easier to learn and easier to repeat.
That has always been my philosophy.
The Su Style Tiger Claw was designed to support the needs of the modern penhold player—not by replacing practice, but by making every practice session more natural and more comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Modern penhold is still evolving.
As techniques change, equipment should continue to evolve alongside them.
For me, a modern grip is not one that looks unusual.
It is one that allows the player to forget about the grip completely and focus only on the next shot.
If a handle can help you do that, then it is moving in the right direction.
—
Su Zhimin
Founder of SANWEI Sports
