Weight
80g
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa
Donic Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa is a high-performance offensive blade designed for players who demand a dynamic blend of speed, power, and surprising control. Its innovative 7-ply construction pairs a soft Balsa wood core with carbon fiber and hard Koto outer plies, creating a remarkably lightweight yet powerful weapon. This unique layering delivers a large sweet spot and a distinctive sound on impact, making it ideal for aggressive topspin play and powerful smashes. The blade offers a distinct feel that balances the soft touch of balsa with the crisp response of carbon, suited for experienced attackers looking to dominate rallies.
The 7-ply construction is built around a central Balsa core for feel and lightness. This core is flanked by Ayous wood layers, which are then reinforced with carbon fiber for stiffness and speed. The outermost playing surfaces are Fineline wood, providing a hard contact layer for crisp ball impact. This symmetrical stack creates the blade's unique hybrid character.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa is consistently rated as a very fast blade, built for aggressive offensive play. The combination of carbon fiber layers and a stiff construction provides explosive power for smashes and allows players to generate tremendous pace on topspin drives. This high speed makes it most effective for players who can utilize full strokes and play from mid-distance, where its power can be fully unleashed.
Despite its high speed, this blade offers commendable control, primarily due to the shock-absorbing qualities of its soft Balsa wood core. Players report good touch for serves, pushes, and blocking, which helps in managing the short game. However, control can become challenging during high-speed exchanges or when paired with very hard rubbers, requiring precise technique to harness its power effectively.
Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa provides a unique medium-soft feel. The soft Balsa core imparts a noticeable cushion and good touch, especially on controlled shots. This softer sensation contrasts with the underlying stiffness from the carbon, creating a distinct and informative feedback that many advanced players appreciate.
On powerful attacking strokes, the blade produces a medium-high throw angle. This helps in creating good arc and clearance over the net on loops and topspins, making it effective for aggressive, spin-oriented play from mid-distance.
Dwell time is on the shorter side, which is typical for very fast and stiff blades. The carbon layers promote a quick, direct rebound. However, the Balsa core and pairing with softer rubbers can provide a slightly longer dwell compared to all-carbon constructions, offering a brief window for spin generation.
This is a stiff blade. The carbon fiber layers significantly limit flex, creating a hard, direct hitting surface. This stiffness is a key contributor to its high speed and powerful, linear ball ejection, favoring players with a direct hitting style.
The blade transmits a solid feel with minimal unwanted vibration. Players often mention a unique, crisp 'pong' sound on impact rather than significant hand shock. This results in a clean, direct feedback that doesn't feel overly harsh or vibrating.
The blade is constructed with high-performance materials that deliver on its promised playing characteristics. The build quality is generally good, though some players note the finishing can feel a bit rough on the edges. The balsa and outer wood materials can be somewhat fragile, so applying edge tape is a recommended practice to protect the blade and ensure long-term durability.
Technology
Donic Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa pioneered the combination of carbon fiber with a Balsa wood core. This 7-ply technology sandwiches a soft, lightweight Balsa core between layers of Ayous, carbon fiber, and outer Fineline plies. The design aims to fuse the controlled, dampened feel of Balsa with the explosive speed and stiffness of carbon. The result is an exceptionally dynamic and light blade that offers a large sweet spot and produces a distinctive, crisp sound upon ball contact, setting it apart from traditional all-wood or carbon blades.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Jörgen Persson
Legendary Swedish attacker Jörgen Persson has a long-standing association with Donic and its high-performance equipment. His dynamic, powerful playing style aligns perfectly with the design philosophy of the Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa. While specific match usage isn't widely documented, his endorsement and attacking technique make this blade a fitting choice for players inspired by his aggressive, offensive approach to the game.
Similar Blades
Stiga Optimum Sync
Players report that Stiga Optimum Sync offers a somewhat comparable playing experience, sharing a blend of high speed and controlled feel. Both blades are described as having a distinct, unique character that can feel different from traditional offerings, making the Optimum Sync a potential alternative for players seeking a fast hybrid blade with personality.
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria serves as a benchmark for high-performance carbon blades. While the Viscaria uses Arylate-Carbon (ALC) and lacks a Balsa core, it occupies a similar segment for offensive players seeking a balance of speed and control. Some view the Waldner Black Devil as a distinctive path to a similar aggressive playing style, with its Balsa core providing a different tactile feel compared to the Viscaria's more uniform feedback.