Weight
85g
Thickness
6.3mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
152x159
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Dynasty Hinoki Carbon
Friendship Dynasty Hinoki Carbon is a 7-ply hybrid offensive blade that masterfully blends the natural touch of Hinoki wood with the explosive power of carbon. This construction creates a large sweet spot and good dwell time, making it ideal for spin-oriented attacks. It delivers a unique playing sensation, combining the crisp response of carbon with the softer, more tactile feel of Hinoki, suitable for various aggressive strategies. The blade is known for its distinct sound and solid feedback during powerful shots.
The 7-ply construction features two carbon layers sandwiched between five wood plies, including outer Hinoki layers. This design aims to balance speed, stiffness, and feel. The Hinoki provides natural wood characteristics for dwell time and touch, while the inner carbon enhances speed and expands the sweet spot.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
With two carbon layers and fast-hitting Hinoki outer plies, this blade delivers significant speed perfect for aggressive play. It excels in drives, smashes, and rapid counter-attacks, providing the power needed for decisive offensive shots.
Despite its high speed, the blade offers surprisingly good control for its class. The Hinoki outer plies enhance feel in the short game, making blocks, pushes, and controlled shots more manageable and consistent.
The feel is characterized by a snappy impact from the carbon layers and harder surface wood, yet the Hinoki outer plies offer a touch of natural wood sensation. Players often describe a distinct, explosive sound and a solid, direct feedback on power shots.
Our testing shows a medium-low throw angle, which is advantageous for fast, direct topspins and counter-attacks. Players accustomed to higher-arcing loops may need a short period of adaptation.
While carbon layers typically reduce dwell time, the combination with Hinoki outer plies provides a moderate dwell, allowing for good spin generation. Some players find it requires a more direct contact for optimal topspin compared to pure Hinoki blades.
The presence of carbon layers makes this blade relatively stiff. This stiffness is a key contributor to its speed and power, though it limits extreme flexibility for certain touch-oriented strokes.
The carbon layers create a stiffer feel, but the blade isn't excessively rigid. Players can feel vibrations, which become more pronounced during powerful shots, contributing to its unique auditory and tactile feedback.
Manufacturing quality is generally adequate for its price point, offering good performance value. Some minor imperfections or variations in finish may be present, which is typical for blades in this category, but it does not significantly detract from its playability.
Technology
Friendship Dynasty Hinoki Carbon utilizes a strategic 7-ply construction that fuses natural wood with carbon fiber. The outer plies are Hinoki, a Japanese cypress wood prized for its lightweight nature, fine grain, and excellent touch. Sandwiched within are two plies of carbon fiber, which enhance stiffness, expand the sweet spot, and significantly boost speed for powerful offensive shots. This hybrid design aims to deliver the superior feel and dwell time of quality wood alongside the enhanced power and speed of modern composite materials.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Primorac Carbon
Butterfly Primorac Carbon is frequently mentioned as a comparable blade, often noted for similar construction and offensive performance blending wood and carbon. Players report the Friendship Dynasty Hinoki Carbon offers a distinct feel and sound, presenting itself as a more affordable alternative to such premium carbon options.