Weight
86g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
160x153
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Head-Heavy
Wanokiwami AO OFF
Andro Wanokiwami AO OFF is a premium 5-ply all-wood offensive blade, born from a unique collaboration between Andro's German development team and Japanese master carpenter Takeshi Wanaka. Meticulously crafted in Japan, it delivers a harmonious blend of speed and control, characterized by a slightly soft feel, excellent dwell time, and clear ball feedback. Its oversized head and ergonomic design provide a superior tactile experience, making it ideal for players seeking a refined, high-quality wood blade for aggressive, spin-oriented play.
The blade uses a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood construction. Limba forms the outer and intermediate layers, providing good grip and spin potential. A thicker Kiri core is at the center, contributing to the blade's flexural strength and direct feedback. This layered structure is designed to balance speed with dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Wanokiwami AO OFF delivers impressive speed for an all-wood blade, sitting firmly in the OFF category. It provides ample, linear power for aggressive attacks and counter-loops. While it doesn't match the explosive pace of carbon composites, its predictable acceleration allows players to commit fully to offensive strokes with confidence, making it a potent weapon in fast rallies.
Control is where this blade truly excels. The wood construction and balanced flex provide an exceptional level of precision for an offensive blade. Players can place aggressive shots with high accuracy and feel confident during touch play and blocks. This high control makes complex offensive maneuvers more manageable and rallies more consistent.
The blade provides a pleasant, slightly soft feel often described as 'balsa-ish.' It offers good ball absorption upon contact, which aids in dwell time and spin creation, while still transmitting clear, direct feedback to the player's hand. It's not a hard or stiff feeling blade.
The blade produces a medium throw angle, which is ideal for offensive play. This trajectory allows for powerful drives with good clearance over the net and facilitates effective looping with a controllable arc, making it versatile for various attacking styles.
Dwell time is a major strength. The flexible wood construction allows the ball to sink into the blade face, staying on the rubber longer. This is crucial for generating heavy spin on loops and serves, and it significantly contributes to the overall feeling of control and connection with the ball.
This is a highly flexible blade. The flex enhances dwell time, aids in power absorption for controlled shots, and is a key factor in its spin-friendly nature. The bending action stores and releases energy effectively, particularly beneficial for looping and brush-contact strokes.
Vibration is present at a moderate level, but it's generally perceived as pleasant and informative rather than harsh or distracting. This feedback helps players sense ball contact quality and make subtle adjustments, adding to the tactile experience of a wood blade.
Craftsmanship is exceptional, reflecting its Japanese origins and master carpenter collaboration. The blade features perfectly even veneers, meticulously ground corners for comfort, and a premium finish. The ergonomically adapted thumb pad and overall build quality ensure durability and a refined, professional feel in the hand that players immediately notice.
Technology
The Wanokiwami AO OFF represents a fusion of traditional Japanese woodcraft and modern blade engineering. Developed in collaboration with master carpenter Takeshi Wanaka, the technology centers on meticulous material selection and precision construction. The process involves expertly bonding carefully chosen wood veneers to maximize elasticity and structural integrity. This focus on pure woodworking artistry results in a blade with enhanced ball-catching capability, clear feedback, and a refined, balanced feel that defines the premium playing experience.
Similar Blades
Andro Wanokiwami REN
From the same collaborative series, the Wanokiwami REN is a 7-ply all-wood offensive blade. Players find the REN to be faster and offer a more seamless, direct play experience compared to the AO OFF, which requires more active effort from the player to generate its speed. Both share the exceptional Japanese craftsmanship and feel.
Butterfly Acoustic
Many players find the Wanokiwami AO OFF a compelling alternative to the renowned Butterfly Acoustic. While both are premium Japanese all-wood blades praised for control and feel, the AO OFF generally offers a slightly softer, more flexible playing character. It's often recommended for players who enjoy the Acoustic's qualities but desire a bit more dwell and a less rigid impact feel.