Weight
91g
Thickness
7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
155x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
V-3
Friendship V-3 is a high-performance offensive blade engineered for players who demand a potent mix of speed, spin, and precision. Its innovative 3+2 construction pairs three wood layers with two Arylate-Carbon layers, creating a dynamic and powerful feel optimized for the modern plastic ball. This blade excels in generating fierce topspin and a sharp, penetrating trajectory after the bounce, making it a formidable weapon for aggressive, near-table continuous attacks. It's the ideal choice for attackers looking to dominate rallies with powerful, spin-laden shots.
The blade features a symmetrical 5-ply, 3+2 construction. The sequence is wood (outer), Arylate-Carbon (inner), wood (core), Arylate-Carbon (inner), and wood (outer). This hybrid layup is engineered to deliver high speed and spin, with the fiber layers providing stiffness and power while the wood contributes to the overall feel and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Friendship V-3 is a very fast blade, with players reporting speed comparable to top-tier offensive models. The integrated Arylate-Carbon layers are key drivers of this pace, providing the stiffness and energy transfer needed for explosive drives and smashes. It stands as one of the fastest options available from its product line, perfectly suited for players who rely on power to finish points.
Despite its impressive speed, the V-3 maintains a very good level of control. This balance allows offensive players to execute a variety of attacking strokes—from loops to placements—with confidence and accuracy. While its primary design favors attack, the blade provides enough feedback and predictability for precise shot-making, though players note it is not ideally tuned for defensive chopping.
Players describe a 'tight' and responsive feel, characteristic of a medium-hard blade. This provides clear, direct feedback on contact, allowing for precise execution of attacking shots and a solid connection with the ball during powerful strokes.
V-3 produces a medium-high throw angle, which is excellent for generating heavy spin and a pronounced arc on the ball. This characteristic supports aggressive looping and attacking shots that can clear the net with safety and then dive sharply onto the opponent's side.
The wood and Arylate-Carbon combination creates a moderate dwell time. This provides enough ball contact to generate significant spin while preserving the high speed essential for aggressive play, aiding in both heavy loops and controlled placement shots.
The inclusion of Arylate-Carbon layers makes the blade relatively stiff, indicating lower flexibility. This characteristic prioritizes direct power transfer and a crisp response over a flexible, catapult-like effect, which suits players who drive through the ball.
The Arylate-Carbon layers contribute to a slightly stiffer structure, resulting in a medium level of vibration. This delivers a direct and informative feel, helping players sense ball contact and maintain control during powerful offensive maneuvers.
Friendship V-3 offers good quality construction for its price point, presenting a cost-effective pathway to high-performance offensive play. While not positioned in the premium tier, its build quality and consistent performance are well-regarded, delivering reliable dynamics and feel that meet the demands of serious attacking players.
Technology
Friendship V-3's core technology is its sophisticated 3+2 composite construction, which integrates three layers of wood with two layers of Arylate-Carbon. This '3 wood + 2 Arylate-Carbon' design masterfully balances the natural feel and flexibility of wood with the added stiffness, speed, and enlarged sweet spot provided by the synthetic fibers. The engineering optimizes energy transfer from stroke to ball and significantly enhances spin generation, making the blade particularly effective for the power and spin demands of modern play with the plastic ball.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Friendship V-3 is frequently compared to the Butterfly Viscaria due to their similar 5-ply constructions with inner carbon layers. Both blades deliver a comparable blend of high speed, spin potential, and a powerful offensive playing style. The V-3 is often viewed as a more budget-conscious alternative that captures much of the Viscaria's performance character.
Stiga Carbonado 45
While the Stiga Carbonado 45 uses Textreme Carbon, it shares the V-3's offensive DNA and core goal of delivering significant power and a large sweet spot for aggressive play. Both blades are built for players who want to dominate with speed and spin, positioning the V-3 as a more accessible option with similar performance objectives.