Weight
80g
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
nullxnull
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Black Devil
Donic Waldner Black Devil CB is a 7-ply hybrid offensive blade designed for modern attackers seeking a powerful yet controlled game. It masterfully pairs a soft Balsa core for touch with hard Koto outer plies and carbon fiber layers, creating a near-stiff, lightweight frame around 80g. This construction delivers explosive speed, a large sweet spot, and direct feedback, though its slightly compact head size rewards precise technique. It's a compelling choice for players who want to dominate rallies with fast topspins and powerful drives.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction features a soft Balsa core for control and touch, sandwiched between Ayous wood layers. Carbon fiber layers are placed beneath the outer Fineline veneers to add stiffness, speed, and power. This hybrid design strategically balances offensive capability with manageable feel.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is renowned for exceptional speed, a result of its carbon layers and near-stiff elasticity. It enables powerful flat hits and rapid topspins, making it a potent weapon for aggressive, offensive play. Players report it delivers the quick attacks and forceful shots needed to pressure opponents consistently.
Despite its high speed, the soft Balsa core contributes to a surprisingly good level of control, especially for close-to-table play and shot returns. Our testing shows it can be manageable, though some players find control more difficult due to the blade's pace and minimal dwell time, particularly when playing from a distance.
The blade delivers a direct and responsive feel due to the carbon layers and Balsa core. Players often describe a crisp 'pong' sound on contact, characteristic of faster, stiffer blades. It provides clear feedback on ball contact, though it lacks the softer, more muted touch of all-wood constructions.
Due to its speed and stiffness, the blade tends to produce a medium to high throw angle on topspin shots, particularly when paired with suitable rubbers. This characteristic helps in clearing the net easily and applying consistent offensive pressure.
Inherent stiffness and carbon amplification result in a very short dwell time. The ball spends minimal time on the blade surface, which can make imparting heavy spin more challenging, especially with harder rubbers. Players frequently compensate by pairing it with softer rubbers.
The blade is predominantly stiff, a key characteristic that facilitates powerful drives and smashes. This near-stiff elasticity enables its high speed and directness but reduces flexibility for strokes that benefit from more blade bend or dwell.
The combination of Balsa and carbon effectively dampens vibrations, leading to a solid, more muted feel during shots. It's not entirely vibration-free, but offers a balanced level that many offensive players find comfortable and acceptable for focused play.
The Waldner Black Devil CB is generally regarded as a well-constructed blade offering excellent value. The unique material fusion creates a distinctive feel and performance. While the build quality is praised, TTSensei experts note the Balsa component can be somewhat fragile, a minor concern easily mitigated with proper care and edge tape.
Technology
The Donic Waldner Black Devil CB features a revolutionary 7-ply construction that uniquely fuses a soft Balsa wood core with Ayous and hard Koto wood layers, reinforced by carbon fiber and Fineline outer plies. This innovative material synergy aims to deliver exceptional speed and power without sacrificing control. The Balsa core provides sensitive touch and feedback, while the carbon and Koto layers enhance stiffness and energy transfer for powerful offensive strokes. This hybrid approach creates a high-performance tool engineered for aggressive, modern play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Jan-Ove Waldner
The blade is named in honor of the legendary Jan-Ove Waldner, reflecting his endorsement and influence in its development philosophy. While there's no definitive record of him using this exact model in his professional peak, its design embodies the balance of speed, control, and dynamic play characteristic of his iconic style.
Similar Blades
Stiga Allround Classic Carbon
Similar to the Waldner Black Devil CB, the Stiga Allround Classic Carbon combines wood plies with carbon for increased speed and power while aiming to retain control. Both are hybrid offensive blades, though the Stiga may offer a slightly different feel and response due to its specific material composition and layer placement.
Tibhar Stratus Power Wood
As an alternative for players seeking speed and control without carbon's stiffness, the Tibhar Stratus Power Wood is a popular 5-ply all-wood offensive blade. It provides a more traditional, flexible feel and typically offers greater dwell time for spin generation compared to the faster, stiffer Black Devil CB.