Weight
82g
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
F-1
Friendship F-1 offers a compelling blend of speed and control, making it a versatile choice for offensive players who value feel. Often described as a carbon blade, its construction delivers a surprisingly all-wood-like sensation, providing pleasant and accurate ball impact. This makes it ideal for players looking to enhance their looping and topspin game without losing the tactile feedback of traditional wood. The blade aims for balanced performance, enabling effective offense while remaining user-friendly for developing players.
F-1 uses a 7-ply hybrid construction described as '5+2 Kevlar Carbon,' incorporating KLC carbon and Ayous wood layers. While the exact order and materials for all seven plies aren't definitively established, the blade clearly combines wood and fiber materials in its structure.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
F-1 is generally regarded as a fast blade suitable for offensive play. Players report a strong looping capability, with some noting the speed feels even higher when paired with slower tacky rubbers. The hybrid construction provides solid offensive potential for fast loops and topspin shots.
F-1 offers a good balance between speed and control. While not matching its speed rating, the control is considered adequate for offensive play with noted accuracy for looping. Many players find that with slower rubbers, control becomes quite good, making the blade manageable for developing players.
Despite its hybrid construction, F-1 delivers an all-wood-like feel that players describe as pleasing with decent punch and accurate ball impact. It's not overly stiff, allowing some flex that contributes to spin generation during play.
The blade provides a medium-high throw angle that benefits topspin shots and serves. This characteristic helps lift the ball over the net with sufficient arc, making aggressive shots easier to execute, especially for developing players.
Dwell time is moderate on the F-1. While carbon layers are present, the wood construction contributes to sufficient dwell for good spin generation on loops and topspins, balanced against the blade's speed characteristics.
The blade exhibits medium flexibility, attributed to its thickness under 6mm. This flex allows for a good combination of speed and spin, particularly noticeable during powerful shots and loops where it helps grab the ball effectively.
Vibration feedback is generally perceived as medium—not overly dampened but not excessively harsh. This provides enough ball contact sensation without becoming distracting or uncomfortable during play.
Craftsmanship and material quality represent significant weaknesses for the F-1. Players report issues like splintering, glue absorption, and inconsistent performance over time. The blade often requires additional finishing such as sanding and varnishing, which impacts overall value despite the low price point.
Technology
Friendship F-1 integrates carbon fiber technology with KLC and Kevlar Carbon layers within its construction to enhance speed and spin capabilities. Despite this composite approach, the blade is engineered to retain an all-wood-like feel, offering pleasant tactile sensation during ball contact. This design balances modern performance technology with traditional playing characteristics, creating a good compromise between offensive power and control that facilitates effective topspin and looping play for a wide range of players.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria Light
F-1 plays similarly to the Viscaria Light according to player feedback, offering comparable looping performance at a significantly lower price point. This makes it appealing for players seeking that performance profile with budget-conscious considerations.
Stiga Clipper WRB
Compared to the Clipper WRB, F-1 is thinner, less head-heavy, and easier to use in short game situations. This comparison highlights F-1's enhanced maneuverability and suitability for quick game play.