Weight
87g
Thickness
7mm
Plies
6-ply
Head Size
159x150
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Yinhe Venus V-1
Yinhe Venus V-1 is a hybrid offensive blade that masterfully blends speed, spin, and control. Its construction pairs Kiso Hinoki wood with CarboKev composite layers, creating a powerful yet remarkably manageable feel. This blade excels at facilitating strong loops and fast attacks, making it ideal for players who operate from the mid-distance to near the table. It offers a compelling balance between the natural touch of wood and the enhanced performance of modern composites, providing excellent value for attacking players.
The six-ply construction uses three layers of Kiso Hinoki wood interspersed with two CarboKev composite layers. This arrangement places the composite materials relatively close together due to the thick outer wood plies, creating a structure that balances the power and stiffness of carbon with the natural feel and spin characteristics of Hinoki wood.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Yinhe Venus V-1 is a fast offensive blade (OFF+), providing excellent pace for powerful attacks and loops. Our testing shows it delivers a noticeable speed increase over all-wood blades, making it highly effective for smashes and fast second-line attacks. The CarboKev layers contribute significantly to this quick, responsive feel, giving players the power needed for modern offensive play.
Despite its high speed, Venus V-1 maintains impressive control that players appreciate. It remains manageable for precise looping, controlled pushing, and even short game situations. This balance between power and precision is a key strength, allowing players to execute aggressive shots without sacrificing consistency or touch.
The blade delivers a medium-hard feel that's solid and responsive. It provides more feedback than softer all-wood blades but feels less harsh than some pure composite options due to the Hinoki top plies. Players experience a refined, direct sensation that supports both power and touch shots.
Players report a medium-high throw angle that's ideal for effective looping. This characteristic helps generate good arc on topspin shots, making it easier to produce heavy spin while maintaining control over the trajectory.
The combination of Kiso Hinoki and CarboKev provides good dwell time, allowing for effective spin generation on serves, loops, and brush strokes. This characteristic makes it particularly strong for spin-oriented attacking play.
The blade exhibits a relatively stiff character due to the CarboKev layers, which contributes to its speed and power. However, the Hinoki plies introduce a degree of flex that supports spin generation. It feels less flexible than all-wood blades but offers more give than very stiff composite options.
Vibration is well-controlled, offering clear feedback without being excessively jarring. The hybrid construction helps dampen harsher vibrations associated with some composite blades, resulting in a comfortable feel that provides good tactile information during play.
Build quality is very good, especially considering the blade's price point. The substantial Kiso Hinoki top plies and well-integrated CarboKev layers create a solid, consistent feel. The finish and overall construction receive positive feedback from players who appreciate the refined craftsmanship typically found in more expensive blades.
Technology
Yinhe Venus V-1 utilizes a sophisticated hybrid construction that blends natural wood with advanced composites. The outer layers feature Kiso Hinoki wood, prized for its excellent feel, spin potential, and natural flexibility. Sandwiched between these wood plies are CarboKev composite layers—a material combining Carbon Fiber with Kevlar fibers. This combination enhances the blade's stiffness, increases sweet spot size, and boosts speed without creating an overly harsh playing experience. The technology aims to deliver modern offensive power while preserving the finesse and feedback of traditional wood blades.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Photino
Many players find the Yinhe Venus V-1 plays remarkably similar to the Butterfly Photino. Both blades share a comparable performance profile in terms of speed, feel, and offensive capabilities. The Venus V-1 serves as a more affordable alternative that delivers similar looping power and controlled aggression for attacking players.