Weight
86g
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
150x157
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
MambaS Hinoki Carbon
Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon is a premium offensive blade that masterfully blends speed, control, and dwell time. Its construction pairs a soft Hinoki outer ply with carbon layers, delivering a crisp feel and amplified power for attacking shots. Players find it offers more control and dwell than typical thick carbon blades, making it versatile for various styles. Well-suited for mid-distance play, it provides distinctive sound and feedback on impact, balancing modern performance with a comfortable playing experience.
The construction features Hinoki outer plies for a soft feel and good dwell, with inner layers of wood and ZLC carbon to provide speed and stiffness. This 5 wood + 2 carbon structure is common for hybrid blades aiming to balance feel and power effectively.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon is a fast blade rated OFF+. Our testing shows it's among the fastest in its category, capable of producing rapid balls with a notable looping 'kick effect'. The carbon layers significantly boost its speed potential, making it ideal for aggressive, attacking play where power is paramount.
Despite its high speed, this blade offers a remarkable level of control and dwell time, exceeding expectations for a thick carbon design. This is attributed to the Hinoki outer plies and ZLC carbon, which create a softer feel and better ball-pocketing than many composite blades, allowing for precise placement even during powerful strokes.
Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon provides a soft feel with a nice tone, offering more dwell than most thick carbon blades. This results in a sensation that isn't overly stiff or harsh, giving good feedback and control during strokes. Some players note it isn't as 'crispy' as other blades due to this softer characteristic.
The combination of Hinoki and carbon typically produces a medium to medium-high throw angle, beneficial for looping and generating spin, especially from mid-distance. This is supported by player notes of a 'looping kick effect,' making it effective for topspin-oriented play.
Players report this blade has more dwell than typical thick carbon blades. This extended dwell time allows for better spin generation and increased control in looping and driving shots, contributing significantly to its versatility on the table.
Described as a thick carbon blade with not too much flex, it leans towards the stiffer side, which is typical for offensive carbon blades. However, the presence of Hinoki and the softer feel indicate it's not excessively stiff, allowing for some flex during powerful strokes to aid in shot shaping.
While not explicitly rated, descriptions of a lower tone and more control than expected for a thick, fast carbon blade suggest moderate vibration. The carbon layers can introduce some vibration, but the wood plies and construction likely mitigate it to a manageable level suitable for offensive play.
While specific ratings are limited, mentions of premium Hinoki Carbon and positive user feedback suggest good manufacturing quality. The construction focuses on performance and durability for offensive players, with a beautiful classic wood grain handle noted by players, indicating attention to detail in its finish.
Technology
Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon utilizes a hybrid approach, combining traditional Hinoki wood outer plies with advanced carbon fiber layers, specifically ZLC carbon. This design harnesses each material's properties: Hinoki provides a soft, natural feel, excellent dwell time, and pleasant tone, while carbon injects significant speed and stiffness for powerful offensive shots. The 5 Wood + 2 Carbon structure balances organic wood feel with amplified composite performance. The blade is noted for its distinctive sound on impact, offering clear feedback to help players fine-tune their strokes.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Primorac Carbon
Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon is noted by players to be similar to a Primorac-style blade but with a softer feel. Butterfly Primorac Carbon is a well-known 5-ply with Hinoki outer plies and carbon second layers, sharing a similar construction principle of Hinoki and carbon reinforcement, suggesting comparable speed and stiffness characteristics.
Stiga Clipper Wood
Some players speculate Air MambaS Hinoki Carbon might share performance traits with Stiga Clipper Wood, though it has a softer feel. Stiga Clipper Wood is a 7-ply all-wood blade known for its power and classic feel. While different in construction (all-wood vs. hybrid), the comparison suggests Air MambaS might offer a similar level of power or serve as a modern interpretation of a classic offensive blade's characteristics.