Weight
84g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x151
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Karas Scepter
GEWO Karas Scepter is a high-performance offensive blade designed for players demanding a blend of speed, control, and feel. Developed with Aleksandar Karakasevic, its 5+2 ply construction features a harder premium carbon layer beneath the outer Limba veneers. This setup ensures stable ball bounce, balanced hardness, and extended dwell time, facilitating powerful topspin and counter-topspin shots while maintaining control for touch play. The blade offers a clear, responsive feel, making it an excellent choice for advanced players executing modern, high-speed strategies.
The 5+2 construction features two carbon layers integrated within the wood plies, positioned directly under the outer Limba veneers. This placement is key to providing a direct feel and enhanced power transfer while maintaining a good dwell time and spin capability.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
GEWO Karas Scepter is a decidedly offensive blade with high speed capabilities. The carbon layers contribute significantly to its pace, allowing for powerful attacks and fast rallies. It is well-suited for players who rely on speed to win points and dictate the game.
Despite its high speed rating, the Karas Scepter offers a commendable level of control. This is attributed to the placement of the carbon fibers close to the outer veneers and the Limba wood, which provides a good feel and allows for precise execution of strokes, including delicate touch shots and passive play.
The blade offers a clear, responsive feel that is described as plain and not too hard. The carbon layers contribute to a stiffer feel compared to all-wood blades, but the Limba outer plies and careful construction aim to retain a degree of feedback and connection with the ball.
The combination of speed, stiffness, and carbon layers typically results in a medium-high to high throw angle, facilitating aggressive topspin shots that clear the net with good trajectory.
GEWO Karas Scepter provides a good dwell time, allowing for sufficient ball contact to generate significant spin. This is crucial for executing powerful topspins and counter-topspins, enabling players to put more rotation on the ball.
GEWO Karas Scepter is a stiff blade, a result of its hybrid construction featuring carbon layers. This stiffness is beneficial for power generation and speed, particularly in offensive strokes, but offers limited flexibility for softer, looping shots that rely on blade bending.
The blade transmits a moderate amount of vibration, which is characteristic of hybrid carbon blades. This vibration provides valuable feedback to the player about the ball contact, aiding in shot execution and feel, without being excessive or uncomfortable.
The build quality of the GEWO Karas Scepter receives mixed reviews. While the core performance of the blade is highly regarded, some users have noted imperfections in the handle finishing and overall construction details, suggesting it may not match the premium fit and finish of some higher-priced blades.
Technology
GEWO Karas Scepter utilizes a specialized '5+2' ply construction, integrating a 'harder premium carbon material' directly beneath its outer Limba veneers. This design choice is central to the blade's performance, aiming to create a unique synergy between the wood and carbon layers. The carbon's placement is optimized to enhance the stability of ball bounce, provide balanced hardness, and extend the dwell time. This technology is intended to enable highly effective topspin and counter-topspin shots without compromising control for touch play or passive game situations. The blade is engineered to offer a clear, responsive feel, allowing players to transfer power efficiently while maintaining a connection to the ball.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Aleksandar Karakasevic
Aleksandar 'King Kara' Karakasevic is intrinsically linked to this blade, which is named after him and was developed in collaboration with him. He is known for his exceptional ball feel and spectacular topspin shots, particularly his strong backhand. The Karas Scepter is designed to embody his playing style, offering the blend of power, control, and feel that he requires for his aggressive, spin-oriented game. He relies on this blade to execute his signature powerful topspins and maintain control during crucial moments of a match.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
GEWO Karas Scepter is often compared to the Butterfly Viscaria, another highly regarded 5+2 ply composite blade. Both blades are designed for offensive players seeking a blend of speed and spin with good control. While the Viscaria is a benchmark for many players, the Karas Scepter offers a similar playing experience, with some users noting that the Karas Scepter might offer a slightly different feel or balance due to its specific carbon material and construction. Both are favored by players for their ability to generate powerful topspins and execute fast attacks.