Can your blade wear out?

hi coach,

the fact that rubber can wear out is understandable, can the same happen to one's blade too? i saw a lot of players Samsonov for instance using a very old blade (taped all over the place for grip), does that mean that if you take care of your blade (from breakage, water etc.) it can last a lifetime and you just need to change the rubber?

regards,

Manish

Hi Manish,

That is an interesting question.  Blades can certainly last a very long time.  I used my last one for 20 years.  That wasn't in competitions though.  Eventually they will get very slightly softer and slower but this takes quite a few years. 

I think players do change blades too often more as a novelty that anything else.