Weight
90g
Thickness
5.55mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Ovtcharov True Carbon
Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon is a high-performance offensive blade crafted for dynamic, aggressive players. Developed with European Champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov, it delivers a potent mix of speed and control tailored for the modern plastic ball. Its 5+2 ply hybrid construction combines Koto, Ayous, and Kiri woods with carbon and synthetic fiber layers, resulting in a crisp, direct feel. This blade excels in powerful counter-attacks and topspin play from mid to far distance, offering the stiffness for explosive shots while retaining enough touch for precise serves and returns. It's a top-tier choice for advanced players seeking a fast yet manageable offensive weapon.
The construction follows a symmetrical 5+2 ply layout. Outer Koto plies provide hardness and speed. Beneath them are carbon fiber layers for stiffness and a larger sweet spot. The inner structure consists of Ayous wood, a Kiri wood core, and another Ayous layer, contributing to a balanced feel and the blade's overall woodiness, which helps maintain control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon is a very fast blade, consistently rated in the OFF to OFF+ range. The carbon and synthetic fiber layers significantly boost its speed potential, enabling explosive attacking shots and rapid counter-attacks. Players report it delivers a more immediate and powerful response compared to many other composite blades, making it a formidable weapon for aggressive play from any distance.
Despite its high speed, this blade offers commendable control for offensive players. The integration of wood plies provides a degree of feel and predictability, allowing for precise placement and controlled attacks. While its directness can be challenging in delicate short-game exchanges, experienced players will appreciate its responsiveness and ability to execute controlled, powerful strokes with confidence.
The feel is direct, crisp, and leans towards the stiffer side, providing a solid sensation on impact. It offers clear feedback with a slight resonance, feeling less soft or muted compared to some inner-carbon blades, which contributes to its immediate and powerful character.
The throw angle is generally medium-low to medium. This promotes a direct, penetrating ball trajectory ideal for fast drives and counter-loops. Players accustomed to higher throw angles for opening loops against backspin may need a slight technique adjustment.
Dwell time is moderate, allowing for effective spin generation. It is generally perceived as shorter than inner-carbon or all-wood blades, which contributes to the blade's faster, more direct response and suits a driving, counter-attacking style of play.
The blade leans towards stiffness, a characteristic of its carbon-reinforced construction. This enhances stability and speed for powerful shots, though it offers less flex for extreme spin generation close to the table compared to more flexible blades.
Vibration is at a moderate level, providing clear feedback without being excessively harsh. This balance contributes to the blade's direct feel while maintaining a comfortable playing experience, allowing players to sense ball contact effectively.
Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon is praised for its excellent build quality. It features a smooth, well-sanded finish, durable construction, and a lack of sharp edges. The overall craftsmanship contributes to both its aesthetic appeal and long-term reliability, meeting the high standards expected by professional and advanced players.
Technology
Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon utilizes a 5+2 ply construction, integrating five wood veneers with two layers of carbon and a synthetic fiber. This design places the composite materials directly beneath the outer wood to enlarge the sweet spot and enhance power transfer, crucial for modern offensive play. The specific wood selection—Koto outer plies for hardness and speed, Ayous mid-plies, and a Kiri core—creates a balanced foundation that combines direct shot capability with sufficient feel for spin-oriented play. This technology was developed to meet the demands of top-level attackers, providing the explosive power for heavy attacks while retaining the finesse needed for precise short-game control with plastic balls.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Dimitrij Ovtcharov
European Champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov collaborated on the development of this blade, seeking a weapon that complemented his powerful, aggressive style in the plastic ball era. The blade was tailored to provide the explosive speed and power for his attacking game while retaining the precise control needed for serves, returns, and short-game exchanges. He has used this blade in high-level competition.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria is a frequent point of comparison, as both are popular 5+2 carbon blades for offensive players. Many players find the Ovtcharov True Carbon to be slightly faster and to have a more direct, crisp feel. Some users prefer the OTC's handle shape or its immediate response, while others may favor the Viscaria's specific feel or its characteristic throw angle.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC is another well-regarded composite blade often compared to the Ovtcharov True Carbon. Our testing shows the OTC is generally perceived as faster and stiffer. The Timo Boll ALC tends to offer a slightly softer feel and a higher throw angle, which some players may prefer for a different balance of spin and control in their attacking game.