Weight
78g
Thickness
8mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
151x158
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Handle-Heavy
Kris II
Giant Dragon Kris II is a 5-ply all-wood blade built around a balsa core, resulting in an exceptionally lightweight design. This construction creates a unique dual-sided playing experience, with the forehand side tuned for faster, offensive shots and the backhand side optimized for control and defensive play, especially with long pimples. It offers a versatile feel that supports both aggressive attacks and precise placement, making it a specialized tool for combination players who value agility and distinct wing characteristics.
Kris II features a 5-ply all-wood construction with a balsa core. The limba outer ply on one side contributes to offensive capabilities, while the other side's construction with softer woods and the balsa core is geared towards control and defensive play. One internal layer's specific material and function are not detailed in available information.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kris II exhibits a significant speed difference between sides. The forehand side is quite fast, rated around 8.8, suitable for aggressive attacks. The backhand side is considerably slower, around 6.5, prioritizing control for blocking and defensive play with long pimples. This dual-speed characteristic is a core feature of the blade.
This blade offers excellent control, particularly on the backhand side where ratings reach as high as 9.5, making it ideal for precise placement, blocking, and defensive maneuvers. Forehand control is also very good at around 9.0, allowing for controlled offensive shots. Players report outstanding touch for defensive play.
Feel differs distinctly between sides due to construction. The forehand side, designed for offense, offers a medium to medium-stiff, direct response. The backhand side, with its balsa core and softer plies, provides a softer, more dampened feel beneficial for absorbing pace and controlling the ball.
The faster forehand side tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, facilitating good spin on offensive shots. The slower backhand side, designed for control, likely has a medium-low throw angle, keeping the ball down and making it harder for opponents to attack.
The balsa core and softer backhand plies contribute to a longer dwell time on the backhand side, allowing for better spin generation and control when blocking or playing defensive shots. The forehand side may have a slightly shorter dwell time due to its stiffer nature, facilitating faster, direct attacks.
The blade leans towards the stiffer side, especially on the offensive forehand, which is typical for balsa-core designs focused on speed. The backhand side may offer slightly more flex, but overall responsiveness is firm.
Players report a medium level of vibration. While balsa cores can sometimes lead to higher vibration, the combination of plies in Kris II provides noticeable feedback that aids touch without being excessive or uncomfortable.
Build quality is generally considered good for its price point. While not a premium, high-end construction, the overall finish and feel are often praised as superior to other blades in its range. Some users recommend edge sealing or reinforcement for durability, but it represents solid value.
Technology
Giant Dragon Kris II utilizes a unique construction centered around a balsa wood core, known for its extreme lightness and natural cushioning. The design incorporates different wood plies on each side, engineered to create distinct speed and control characteristics. The forehand side is optimized for offensive play with higher speed, while the backhand side is tuned for defensive control and slower shots. This dual-sided technology provides a versatile tool that adapts to various situations, particularly benefiting combination players who employ different techniques on each wing.
Similar Blades
Giant Dragon Kris Special
Giant Dragon Kris Special is a closely related blade, also featuring a balsa core and dual-sided characteristics. It's very similar in concept, with a pronounced difference between the offensive forehand and defensive backhand sides. Often mentioned alongside Kris II as a comparable option for this specific dual-sided performance, with slight variations in weight and feel.
Donic Cayman
Donic Cayman is an older all-wood blade compared to Kris II in terms of playing characteristics and price point. Some find Kris II offers similar speed and control, particularly for defensive-minded players or those using long pimples, and may be considered a more modern or cost-effective alternative to the Cayman.