If The Bat Fits - Wear It?

Then I had a peek at Brodmann Blades, the manufacturer's website, and that got me thinking. Even though the CGI'ed video will give any serious player a laugh or two from the styles of the players, there was enough there to make me think seriously about what it would be like to play with such a racket. Twiddling would definitely be out, but on the other hand you might get more natural grip while playing. Hmmmm. Good for attackers maybe? And no more hitting the ball on your index finger!

But surely this rackets aren't ITTF legal? After all, this glove/racket appears to contravene both of the ITTF laws below:
2.04.01 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid.

2.04.05 The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness.

I mean, this type of blade is not flat, and not continuous in the traditional sense of the word. Oh well. Just another novelty idea really, I thought.

And then I found this little quote on the Brodmann Blades About page - Alfred Brodmann, designer of the Brodmann Blades™, approached the International Table Tennis Federation and received an enthusiastic preliminary reaction. "This innovation may eventually be incorporated into international competition", says Mr. Rudolf Sporrer, Rules Committee Chairman of the ITTF in Vienna, Austria.

Being a bit of a cynic, I did a little research on the ITTF website, and a Rudi Sporrer is listed as the Rules Committee Chairman, so perhaps the ITTF is willing to adjust the rules a little to make such a blade legal. When you think about it the blade isn't giving the player an unfair mechanical advantage or anything similar, just an alternative way to grip the blade. There doesn't seem to be anything inherently unfair about the blade itself, apart from the fact that it doesn't meet the requirement of being a continuous piece of wood. So maybe it could be approved in time by the ITTF.

Maybe in 5 years time all the serious attackers will be using a Brodmann Blade? What do you think? Would you be seen dead wearing one of these blades?