Customer review for Nittaku Septear

External Review for Nittaku Septear on May 30, 2016

Suitable for players who like hinoki catapult feeling but don't want to have a blade that weighs over 90-95g+ as with most hinoki 1ply (I've played with Speed 90, H-1-9 and Juic Kiso Hinoki) and 3 ply (Dotec Waldner Hinoki). Mine is 82g in ST and feels abit unbalanced head heavy with Rasant Powergrip 2.1 and OmegaIV/V Pro/Asia, Hexer HD or JO Coppa Gold MAX on BH. I believe you need a set up a bit lighter to get to a more optimum balance.
Plays perfect from low to medium-high speed with focus on topspin though does not seem to have the top gear for point ending loop drives, smashes on FH or power punch block, power loop on BH. It just flies out or nets if you put 100% power in. This having tried Powergrip, OmegaIV/V Pro/Asia & JO Coppa Gold on FH and BH which are all hard sponged rubbers which pair well with this soft feeling blade. I would not recommend soft to medium rubbers as the feedback is poor at best unless you are defensive or learning subtleties of offensive game around control/dwell.
In summary overall very nice soft stiff blade with some flex for controlled offensive topspin game, opening loop, counter loop from mid distance 2 steps from table, passive and active block on backhand. It is also a very good blade to develop backhand technique as it is very forgiving with large sweet spot and blocks excellently passive as it is slow when you need it to be slow as per hinoki characteristic.
Negative would be high end gear, smashing and also blocking high spin loops from advanced players (think national top 50 players). The hinoki characteristic seems to spit the ball out further than you like even if compensating for the spin generated - especially does not like typical full motion Chinese FH technique from players who are well trained and know what they are doing. Due to the hinoki characteristic short game is average if heavy spin is involved, though 99% of the time the excellent overall soft feeling will give you the feedback to be able to control.

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