Weight
91.5g
Thickness
5.9mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x151
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Blue Arylate Carbon
Friendship 729 Blue Arylate Carbon is a modern offensive blade built for aggressive, topspin-focused players. Its 7-ply hybrid construction combines Koto outer plies with Arylate Carbon layers to deliver a crisp, responsive feel that balances raw power with impressive control. The blade excels in fast-paced rallies and mid-distance play, offering a substantial sweet spot and a long arc that works beautifully with contemporary rubbers. It's a versatile and potent choice for intermediate to advanced competitors seeking high performance without a premium price tag.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction features Koto outer layers for a crisp feel and spin transfer, paired with inner Arylate Carbon layers for enhanced speed and stability. The Ayous and Candlenut/Tungwood core provides a balanced foundation of power and dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This is a fast blade that delivers significant power for offensive play. It excels in fast attacks and topspin duels, making it ideal for players who like to dictate the pace and finish points with authority from mid-distance.
Despite its impressive speed, the blade maintains a surprisingly high level of control. This balance allows for accurate placement and consistent rallies, making it a forgiving and accessible option for players transitioning to faster equipment.
The feel is crisp and direct, offering clear feedback without being overly stiff. The Arylate Carbon layers provide a solid connection to the ball, enabling effective spin generation and precise shot placement with a confident, responsive touch.
It produces a medium-low throw angle, which is advantageous for powerful, direct drives and flat smashes. Players who prefer very high-arching loops might need to adapt their technique or consider a rubber that complements this trajectory.
It provides a decent dwell time, giving players enough contact to generate ample spin on their shots. This characteristic stems from the synergistic blend of wood plies and Arylate Carbon, creating a pocketing effect ideal for topspin play.
Flexibility is moderate, striking an effective balance between stiffness for power and pliability for spin and feel. This makes the blade maneuverable in fast exchanges while still providing a stable, powerful base for aggressive strokes.
Vibration is moderate, providing clear, informative feedback on contact without being harsh or jarring. The carbon layers help absorb some of the impact, contributing to a comfortable and communicative playing experience.
Build quality is generally good for its price point. Our testing shows the construction is solid, though some units may have minor imperfections like rough edges that benefit from a light sanding for a smoother, more refined finish.
Technology
Friendship 729 Blue Arylate Carbon utilizes a 5-wood + 2 Arylate Carbon construction, positioning the carbon layers directly beneath the outer Koto veneers. This 'outer carbon' placement aims to deliver a direct feel, increased speed, and enhanced power, particularly in topspin exchanges from mid-distance. The use of imported woods—Koto outer plies, Ayous, and a Candlenut or Tungwood core—contributes to a balanced performance profile of elasticity, power, and spin generation, engineered for the modern aggressive game.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
The 729 Blue Arylate Carbon is frequently noted for its similar construction and playing characteristics to the Butterfly Viscaria. Both use an outer Arylate Carbon layer system with a 5-ply wood core, offering that coveted blend of speed, spin, and direct feel favored by offensive players, with the Viscaria serving as the premium benchmark in this category.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
Sharing the ALC (Arylate Carbon) technology and a comparable 5+2 construction, the Timo Boll ALC is another close relative. The 729 blade is often seen as a value-oriented alternative that captures a similar performance profile—excellent for powerful topspin and fast counter-attacks—at a more accessible price point.