Weight
72g
Plies
5-ply
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Senkoh HCK
Butterfly Senkoh HCK is a Japanese penhold blade built for offensive players who demand a potent mix of speed and control. Its hybrid construction layers carbon between Hinoki and Kiri woods, creating a dynamic feel that delivers powerful drives and smashes while maintaining a stable platform for precise shot-making. Designed for close-to-the-table attacking play, this OFF+ blade offers quick reactions and a crisp, medium-hard touch, making it a compelling choice for penhold attackers looking to elevate their aggressive game.
This 5-ply construction features an inner carbon layer sandwiched between Hinoki outer plies and a Kiri core. This configuration is designed to balance speed, stiffness, and feel, with the carbon providing a larger sweet spot and increased power, while the Hinoki and Kiri woods offer distinct tactile feedback and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Players report the Senkoh HCK as a very fast blade, earning a 9.0 rating that aligns perfectly with its OFF+ classification. This speed excels in aggressive attacking play, providing rapid ball acceleration crucial for dictating rallies and overwhelming opponents with powerful drives and smashes from close range.
Despite its high speed, the Senkoh HCK offers a commendable 8.0 level of control. Our analysis suggests its hybrid construction—combining carbon's stability with the tactile feedback of Hinoki and Kiri woods—creates a stable platform that allows for precise shot-making even during fast exchanges, giving attackers confidence in their placement.
Senkoh HCK delivers a crisp, medium-hard feel on impact. The carbon layers add stiffness and a direct power transfer, while the Hinoki outer plies provide clear, tactile feedback, allowing players to sense the ball distinctly during aggressive shots.
The combination of carbon and wood, along with its OFF+ character, gives the Senkoh HCK a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates aggressive looping, providing a good trajectory that helps the ball clear the net with a solid margin for powerful, attacking shots.
TTSensei testing indicates a moderate dwell time. The carbon layers may slightly reduce dwell compared to all-wood blades, but the combination with Hinoki and Kiri plies still provides enough ball contact for effective spin generation, especially for close-to-the-table loops and drives.
As an OFF+ blade with carbon, Senkoh HCK is relatively stiff, rating a 4.0 for flexibility. This stiffness is key to its speed and direct power transfer, providing a solid, stable feel that favors direct attacks over flexible, looping strokes.
The blade offers a moderate level of vibration, contributing to its crisp, communicative feel. While not as dampened as an all-wood construction, this allows players to feel the ball's impact more directly, which many attackers appreciate for feedback during fast play.
While specific reviews are limited, TTSensei experts estimate a 7.5 quality rating based on Butterfly's renowned manufacturing standards and the premium materials used, including Hinoki and carbon. This indicates a well-constructed, reliable blade built to perform consistently.
Technology
Senkoh HCK utilizes a hybrid construction that integrates carbon fiber layers within a traditional wooden structure of Hinoki and Kiri. This technique enhances performance by leveraging material strengths: carbon provides increased stiffness, a larger sweet spot, and greater speed, while the Hinoki and Kiri woods contribute to tactile feel, control, and spin generation. The result is an engineered blend designed to offer a significant offensive advantage—delivering power and quick reactions—without sacrificing the control and touch necessary for precise penhold play.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC
For players seeking a more modern alternative, the Innerforce Layer ALC also incorporates Arylate-Carbon within its construction. It offers a versatile blend of speed, control, and feel suitable for offensive play, and is known for its good dwell time, making it a compelling contemporary option with similar hybrid characteristics.
Butterfly Viscaria
Another highly regarded Butterfly blade featuring Arylate-Carbon, Viscaria is renowned for exceptional speed and spin capabilities. A popular choice among advanced players and professionals, it delivers offensive power and consistent performance, serving as a benchmark for players looking for top-tier attacking potential.