Cegna

Weight

89g

Thickness

6.3mm

Plies

7-ply

Head Size

258x152

Handles

FL / ST

Material

Hybrid

Head Shape

Custom

Balance

Head-Heavy

Darker

Cegna

China
2021

Darker Cegna combines five wood layers with two Cellulose Nanofiber plies in a 7-ply offensive blade that delivers a unique playing experience. Designed in Japan and crafted in China, it offers the soft feel of all-wood blades with enhanced speed and an expanded sweet spot. The medium-soft touch provides excellent dwell time for spin generation while maintaining control during aggressive play. Players appreciate its balanced offensive capabilities from mid-distance without sacrificing touch in short game situations.

7-Ply Construction

Cegna features Limba outer plies for soft feel and spin generation, followed by Cellulose Nanofiber layers that provide speed and sweet spot expansion. The Kiri core maintains a softer, muted sensation while the strategic fiber placement distinguishes it from harsher carbon compositions.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.8

Cegna delivers fast offensive speed that clearly outpaces all-wood blades while remaining more subtle than pure carbon compositions. It provides substantial power reserves for mid-distance attacking play, though it doesn't reach the extreme speed levels of close-to-table carbon blades. The additional kick from CNF layers gives players noticeable acceleration without sacrificing control.

Control
8.0

Control stands as Cegna's defining characteristic, with players consistently praising its exceptional precision and touch. The blade offers outstanding fine control during short game exchanges and reliable blocking performance. Compared to traditional carbon materials, it provides superior command over ball placement and trajectory, making it highly dependable in competitive situations.

Feel
Medium-Soft
SoftMedium-SoftHard

Cegna delivers a stiff yet soft playing sensation that many compare to premium all-wood blades with added responsiveness. The Limba outer plies combined with CNF layers create a softer touch than typical OFF-rated blades, offering a muted feeling that expands the sweet spot while maintaining excellent feedback.

Throw Angle
Medium
LowMediumHigh

The blade produces a medium trajectory that works well for various looping styles and attacking techniques. This balanced throw angle allows players to execute both controlled loops and more aggressive shots without excessive adjustment, making it versatile across different playing situations.

Dwell Time
8.5

The cellulose nanofiber layers significantly enhance dwell time, allowing the blade to hold the ball slightly longer during contact. This extended contact period helps generate higher spin levels and provides more forgiveness on off-center hits, particularly beneficial for looping techniques and spin-oriented play.

Flexibility
3.0

This blade features a relatively stiff construction that provides direct power transmission and consistent response. The stiffness contributes to its offensive character while the CNF layers add just enough give to maintain excellent ball feel. Players appreciate the solid foundation it provides for powerful strokes.

Vibration
3.0

Cegna produces minimal vibration upon ball contact, creating a solid and direct feel similar to ZLC blades. The muted sensation contributes to consistent feedback without excessive vibration transfer, making it comfortable for extended playing sessions while maintaining excellent touch sensitivity.

Quality
9.3

Darker maintains its reputation for excellent craftsmanship with Cegna, featuring very good workmanship and consistent manufacturing quality. Though produced in China, the manufacturing process receives close oversight from Darker's Tokyo facility to ensure high standards. Players report impressive build quality that matches the brand's premium positioning.

Technology

Darker Cegna incorporates Auro Veil LS Cellulose Nanofiber technology, a specially processed wood material that's five times stronger than iron yet only one-fifth the weight. This advanced CNF placement close to the surface creates an expanded sweet spot while reducing vibration and enhancing dwell time. The technology aims to deliver fiber blade attack speed with all-wood hitting feel, providing excellent ball-holding characteristics and a softer touch compared to conventional carbon or ALC compositions.

Similar Blades

Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC

Players transitioning from Innerforce Layer ALC often find Cegna offers similar power levels with even higher control. The blade maintains comparable offensive capabilities while providing enhanced touch and precision, making it an excellent choice for players who want ALC-like power with superior command over their shots.

Darker 5P-2A

For players who enjoy the classic all-wood feel of Darker 5P-2A but seek moderate speed increase, Cegna serves as an ideal upgrade. It maintains the wood-like sensation and control characteristics while adding noticeable power and sweet spot expansion, creating a natural progression for developing offensive players.