Weight
75g
Thickness
6.8mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
BALSA CARBON OFF +
Donic BALSA CARBON OFF+ is an aggressive, lightweight blade built for uncompromising attackers. It masterfully blends a thick balsa wood core with stiff Certran Carbon fiber layers, creating a powerful tool for close-to-the-table play. This construction delivers extreme hardness and speed while maintaining a remarkably light feel, ideal for a ferocious power game. The large sweet spot and unique composition allow for powerful, controlled attacking shots with exceptional feedback, making it a standout choice for players who prioritize explosive offense.
This 7-ply construction features a thick, lightweight balsa core for cushioning and a large sweet spot, reinforced by two layers of Certran Carbon for extreme stiffness and speed. The outer Koto and inner Limba wood plies provide the necessary feel and grip for the ball.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Donic BALSA CARBON OFF+ is renowned for its exceptional speed, making it one of the fastest blades in Donic's lineup. The combination of balsa and Certran Carbon layers creates a stiff and powerful construction that delivers high-velocity shots with minimal effort. It is particularly effective for aggressive attacking play close to the table.
While the manufacturer rates control at 5.7, many players report a much higher level of control in practice. This discrepancy likely stems from the blade's inherent stiffness and speed, which requires a skilled player to harness its full potential. At slower speeds, blocking and counter-hitting are effective, and pairing with softer rubbers can further enhance control.
The blade has a stiff feel due to its carbon layers and balsa core. Some users describe it as having a hard feel but with good control once accustomed to it. The balsa core provides a unique touch, making it feel less harsh than some other carbon blades, and it offers a large sweet spot.
The combination of speed, stiffness, and typical rubber pairings suggests a medium-high throw angle. This is further supported by recommendations to pair it with medium-soft rubbers for optimal results.
User reviews indicate a relatively short dwell time, typical for fast, stiff blades. This characteristic requires players to generate their own spin, with dwell time potentially increasing when paired with a harder sponge.
The incorporation of Certran Carbon layers directly under the outer veneers, combined with the balsa core, makes this blade very stiff and hard. This stiffness is crucial for its high speed and power capabilities.
The stiff nature of the blade, due to the carbon layers and balsa construction, results in a noticeable level of vibration. While not excessively high, it contributes to the blade's fast playing characteristics.
Donic BALSA CARBON OFF+ is generally regarded as a high-quality blade. The combination of premium wood and carbon materials, along with Donic's manufacturing expertise, results in a durable and well-constructed product. Users report consistent performance and a pleasing feel, contributing to a positive overall quality assessment.
Technology
Donic BALSA CARBON OFF+ features a sophisticated 7-ply construction that masterfully integrates the natural properties of balsa wood with advanced Certran Carbon fiber technology. The core consists of a thick (4mm) balsa veneer, chosen for its exceptional lightness and ability to create a large sweet spot and provide a unique, cushioned feel. Sandwiched between the balsa core and the outer Koto veneers are layers of Certran Carbon, an artificial fiber known for its extreme hardness and stiffness. This specific placement of the carbon layers directly beneath the outer veneers maximizes the blade's speed and power potential. The outer Limba and Koto wood plies provide the necessary touch and ball feedback for controlled attacking shots. This combination results in a blade that is astonishingly light, weighing around 75g, yet delivers uncompromising power and speed.
Similar Blades
Donic Balsa Carbo Fleece
Donic Balsa Carbo Fleece is a closely related blade within Donic's Balsa Carbo line. While both blades feature a balsa core and carbon fiber layers for speed and lightness, the Fleece version is often described as slightly softer and may offer a longer dwell time, making it a potential alternative for players seeking a bit more control or feel compared to the stiffer Certran Carbon version. The Fleece is also noted as being slightly slower but potentially more controllable for offensive play.
Donic Waldner Black Devil Carbon Balsa
This blade also features a balsa and carbon combination, aiming for a balance of speed, power, and control with a lightweight feel. While it uses different outer veneers (Fineline instead of Koto) and intermediate veneers (Ayous and Carbon), it shares the core concept of using balsa for feel and lightness, and carbon for power, making it a comparable option for players looking for a similar playing experience in terms of speed and aggressive play.