Weight
91g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Topspeed
Giant Dragon Topspeed is a potent 7-ply all-wood offensive blade built for players who thrive on speed and power. It delivers a hard, crisp feel that translates into explosive topspins, smashes, and counter-attacks, putting immediate pressure on opponents. While designed for a fast-paced game, it maintains a surprising level of control, allowing for solid blocking and precise placement. This blade offers a direct and responsive experience, making it a reliable weapon for intermediate to advanced attackers who can harness its inherent pace.
The blade is built from seven plies of wood, arranged symmetrically from the outer layers to the core. This traditional all-wood construction is known for providing a harder feel and more direct energy transfer compared to blades with composite materials, contributing to its offensive character.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Topspeed lives up to its name with high pace, making it an excellent tool for fast breaks and powerful topspin attacks. The 7-ply all-wood construction and hard feel contribute to a very direct energy transfer, allowing players to generate significant ball speed with well-executed strokes.
Despite its high-speed nature, the Topspeed offers commendable control. Its balanced construction provides stability, allowing for accurate blocking and controlled placement even during fast rallies. This makes it a versatile offensive option where power doesn't completely override precision.
Players report a distinctly hard and crisp feel upon ball impact. This characteristic provides direct feedback and is favored by offensive players for its efficient power transfer and clear, responsive touch.
The combination of speed and a hard blade typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for powerful topspin shots, helping the ball clear the net with a strong, arcing trajectory.
Dwell time is moderate, sufficient for generating effective spin on powerful shots but not excessively long. This balance supports a fast, direct playing style without feeling overly sluggish or detached.
This is a stiff blade with minimal flex. The 7-ply wood build creates a rigid platform that is crucial for direct power transmission and supports a fast, punchy playing style.
The hard, multi-ply construction transmits a moderate level of vibration. It provides tangible feedback for shot control without being overly dampened or excessively jarring for most offensive players.
The blade features a durable finish with surfaces sealed for protection, indicating good attention to practical details. It's built to withstand aggressive play, though specific details on material grades are not extensively highlighted in player discussions.
Technology
Giant Dragon Topspeed utilizes a classic 7-ply all-wood construction optimized for offensive play. The surfaces are sealed with a protective finish, a common technique to preserve the wood and ensure a consistent playing surface. The design philosophy centers on direct power transfer and a hard touch, making it a specialized tool for fast-break and loop-oriented attacking strategies.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Acoustic
As a benchmark for high-quality offensive all-wood blades, the Nittaku Acoustic offers a premium alternative. While it's a 5-ply construction and generally softer with more dwell time, it shares a focus on offensive power but emphasizes superior touch, control, and spin generation for players who prioritize feel alongside attack.
Stiga Allround Classic Carbon
This blade represents a modern hybrid approach. It combines 5 plies of wood with 2 carbon layers, offering a noticeable speed boost over traditional all-wood designs. It appeals to players seeking more direct power than a pure wood blade provides, but with greater inherent control and a different feel compared to typical full-carbon offensive models.