Weight
85g
Thickness
6.1mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
150x157
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Victoria 2
Animus Victoria 2 is a specialized 5-ply all-wood blade designed for combi players who use different rubbers on each side. Its asymmetric construction provides distinct playing characteristics between forehand and backhand, making it ideal for setups pairing inverted rubber with anti-spin or long pimples. Featuring a Cypress, Rosewood, Cypress, Ayous, and Cypress layup, it delivers a balanced mix of control and speed. The blade's slightly larger dimensions and stiff nature work exceptionally well with soft-sponge rubbers, enabling precise, fast returns for drives and blocks.
This 5-ply all-wood construction features an asymmetric design to provide distinct playing characteristics on each side, ideal for combi players. Multiple Cypress layers contribute to a stiffer feel, while the Rosewood and Ayous core influences the blade's balance of speed and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Animus Victoria 2 offers moderately fast speed, ideal for drives and blocks. It provides enough pace for defenders to attack when opportunities arise, making it assertive for combi play while maintaining a controlled feel that supports versatile stroke execution.
This blade delivers excellent control, particularly for combi players and defenders needing precise shot placement. The well-balanced combination of speed and control allows for safe, reliable execution across all types of strokes, from delicate touches to aggressive counters.
Players report a stiff and rigid feel that combines effectively with soft sponge rubbers. This stiffness provides a direct, crisp sensation on contact, contributing to a responsive touch that favors faster exchanges.
The combination of its speed and stiffness, along with its design for combi play, suggests a medium-to-high throw angle. This facilitates powerful topspin shots and supports an aggressive, attacking style of play.
Our analysis suggests a medium dwell time. The blade feels less of the ball contact compared to its predecessor, making it better suited for fast exchanges and blocking rather than extended, heavy chopping strokes.
The Victoria 2 is characterized as a stiff blade, indicating low flexibility. This rigidity enhances stability and speed generation during attacking shots, supporting a direct, impactful playing style.
As a stiff all-wood blade, it likely transmits a moderate level of vibration. This controlled feedback aids in feel without being excessive, especially when paired with softer rubbers that can dampen some of the sensation.
Crafted with multiple wood plies and inspired by a well-regarded discontinued model, the Victoria 2 demonstrates solid build quality. The materials and construction are standard for table tennis blades, indicating reliable craftsmanship suited to its specialized purpose.
Technology
Animus Victoria 2 utilizes modern assembly techniques to optimize its 5-ply all-wood construction. Inspired by a classic combi blade, its key technological feature is an asymmetric design. This design, combined with the specific wood layering of Cypress, Rosewood, Cypress, Ayous, and Cypress, is engineered to provide a unique balance of speed, control, and feel. The asymmetry tailors distinct playing characteristics to each side of the blade, specifically for combi players who require different performance from their forehand and backhand rubbers.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Combi Wood Attack
The Animus Victoria 2 is directly inspired by and uses the same wood composition as the discontinued Nittaku Combi Wood Attack. It serves as a modern reinterpretation and the most direct alternative for this specific combi blade concept.
Animus Victoria 1
The Victoria 1 is a slightly slower and more controlled predecessor. It is described as offering more 'feel' for the ball and being better for chopping, making it a more defensive-oriented alternative for combi players who prioritize touch and control over the Victoria 2's added speed.