Plies
1-ply
Head Size
155x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Galaxy Yinhe 350 Year
Yinhe Galaxy Yinhe 350 Year is a premium, single-ply Kiso Hinoki blade celebrated for its rarity and exceptional craftsmanship. Crafted from a single piece of ancient Kiso Hinoki wood, sourced from trees at least 350 years old, it is produced in very limited quantities by a Japanese firm with over 50 years of expertise. The blade offers a unique blend of speed and control, presented with a minimalist aesthetic featuring a laser-etched serial number and housed in a special wooden display box. This collectible piece is designed for players who value traditional materials and a pure, unadulterated wood feel.
This blade is constructed from a single, solid piece of Kiso Hinoki wood, renowned for its lightweight properties, excellent flexibility, and natural spring. This single-ply construction is revered for providing a pure wood feel, exceptional dwell time, and consistent performance characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Yinhe 350 Year offers a respectable speed suitable for offensive play. As a single-ply Hinoki blade, its speed comes from the natural elasticity and responsiveness of the wood, providing a direct and powerful response, especially when paired with modern rubbers. This speed is well-balanced with its control characteristics, making it effective for aggressive shots without sacrificing consistency.
This blade boasts a high control rating, a hallmark of quality single-ply Hinoki construction. It allows players to place the ball with precision, execute delicate shots, and maintain consistency during rallies. The excellent control is a significant advantage for spin-oriented play and for players who value tactical placement and reliable touch.
Single-ply Hinoki blades, especially from aged wood, offer a distinct feel—firm yet flexible, with a good transfer of vibration that lets players feel the ball on the blade. Yinhe 350 Year is noted for having minimal vibration compared to some other single-ply blades, suggesting a more solid and direct, medium-hard feel.
The combination of speed, dwell time, and the inherent properties of Kiso Hinoki suggests a medium-high throw angle. This is conducive to generating high-arching loops with significant spin, ideal for players who rely on topspin attacks.
Single-ply Hinoki blades are known for their extended dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the wood, which facilitates spin generation. The aged Kiso Hinoki in the 350 Year likely enhances this characteristic, making it excellent for looping and heavy spin shots where ball contact is crucial.
While single-ply Hinoki is known for its natural flex, aged Kiso Hinoki offers a slightly stiffer yet responsive flexibility. This balance allows for both power in strokes and finesse in touch play, providing a versatile response across different shot types.
Players report this blade has very low vibration, offering a clean and direct feel. This immediate feedback is desirable for players who want a clear connection to the ball without excessive oscillation, aiding in precise shot execution.
Quality of the Yinhe 350 Year is exceptional, stemming from the use of rare, old-growth Kiso Hinoki wood and meticulous craftsmanship by experienced Japanese blade makers. The limited production run and special presentation box further attest to its premium build and materials, making it a standout piece for collectors and serious players alike.
Technology
Yinhe Galaxy Yinhe 350 Year utilizes traditional Japanese blade-making techniques focused on the singular properties of aged Kiso Hinoki wood. This approach eschews modern composites in favor of pure, single-ply construction. Sourcing suitable lumber with the necessary grain density takes years, underscoring a commitment to material quality. Manufacturing is handled by a Japanese firm with over five decades of experience, ensuring the wood's natural characteristics—resilience, flexibility, and unique feel—are fully expressed. The blade features a minimalist aesthetic with only a laser-etched serial number, avoiding printed graphics for a clean, traditional look.
Similar Blades
Yinhe (Galaxy) Kiso Hinoki 3A
Yinhe Kiso Hinoki 3A is another single-ply Hinoki blade that shares a similar construction and material heritage. While the 350 Year is noted for having minimal vibration, the 3A is known to have more pronounced vibration. Both are premium offerings emphasizing the natural qualities of Kiso Hinoki wood and traditional craftsmanship, but they offer slightly different feel and feedback due to variations in wood aging or construction specifics.