Weight
76g
Thickness
6.3mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
156x148
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Esteem
The Darker Esteem is a 7-ply offensive blade that masterfully blends power and control through its premium Hinoki-carbon construction. It delivers a unique soft yet responsive feel, designed for attacking players who demand sharp drives and powerful loops without sacrificing precision. Its lightweight, head-heavy design ensures swift maneuverability and a pronounced sensation on ball contact, making it an excellent choice for players who value spin and controlled aggression in both close-to-table and mid-distance rallies.
This construction features Hinoki outer plies for feel and spin potential, combined with carbon layers for enhanced speed. Inner Willow plies and a Kiri core contribute to balanced characteristics and a soft yet responsive feel. The 5+2 arrangement creates a powerful blade with a large sweet spot typical of modern offensive composites.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
The Esteem is a fast blade that provides plenty of pop for offensive shots, making it suitable for sharp drives and powerful loops. Its carbon layers contribute significantly to this high speed, offering the necessary power for aggressive play while maintaining a responsive feel that players appreciate during fast exchanges.
Despite its speed, the Esteem is highly praised for its excellent control. It offers precise placement both close to the table and from half-distance, with many players noting it provides more control compared to other fast carbon blades. The Hinoki outer veneer delivers a special feeling that allows for sensitive topspins and confident shot-making.
This blade offers a soft yet responsive feel, described as somewhat flexible with incredible touch for a carbon construction. The Hinoki outer layers provide good feedback upon ball contact, creating a less harsh sensation than many stiffer carbon blades while maintaining that distinctive carbon responsiveness.
The Hinoki outer veneer allows players to execute topspins sensitively even with late contact, suggesting a medium-high throw angle that facilitates lifting the ball with spin. This characteristic, combined with good dwell time, makes it effective for arc-based attacking play.
The Esteem provides better ball control and dwell time than many carbon blades, with extended contact that aids significantly in spin generation. This characteristic makes it particularly effective for looping and creating heavy topspin shots.
The Esteem leans toward flexibility with a somewhat flexible feel that contributes to its spin generation and controlled touch. This flexibility provides a more forgiving response compared to stiffer carbon blades, helping players maintain precision during aggressive shots.
This blade is almost devoid of vibrations, resulting in a direct and crisp feeling upon impact. While this creates a clean sensation, some players might find it reduces the ability to feel the ball as distinctly as with more vibrational blades.
Darker blades are renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, and the Esteem exemplifies this with beautiful finishes including sanded edges and wings for comfortable handling. The use of premium Kiso Hinoki enhances its quality, resulting in a blade that feels both refined and durable in play.
Technology
The Darker Esteem incorporates a sophisticated 5+2 ply composite construction using premium Kiso Hinoki wood, prized for its unique feel and spin-producing qualities. Carbon plies enhance speed while providing characteristic stiffness, yet the blade retains a softer, more flexible feel through the Hinoki outer veneers and specific wood composition of Willow and Kiri. Some versions featured a 'Speed Grip' with perpendicular grain direction in the handle, designed to subtly increase stiffness and speed. This meticulous combination aims to harmonize offensive power with high control and extended dwell time, catering to players who prioritize spin and precision in their attacking game.
Similar Blades
Darker 7P-2A.7t
The Esteem is often described as a toned-down version of the 7P-2A.7t, offering similar Hinoki-carbon feel with less catapult effect. This makes the Esteem a more balanced option that provides easier entry into Hinoki blades for players who might find the 7P-2A.7t too fast or with too pronounced a kick.
Butterfly Viscaria
For players seeking a slower blade with more control than the Viscaria, the Esteem serves as an excellent alternative. While both are carbon-composite blades, the Esteem offers a softer feel and greater dwell time, translating to better ball control and improved blocking capabilities, particularly from half-distance.