Weight
85g
Thickness
4.3mm
Plies
3-ply
Head Size
17.6x16.4
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Hawk
Hunter Hawk is a classic 3-ply all-wood table tennis blade designed for defensive and combination players who value exceptional touch and finesse. Its oversized head creates a large, forgiving sweet spot, while the thin poplar outer plies and basswood core deliver outstanding control, flexibility, and dwell time. This blade excels in chopping, blocking, and close-to-the-table play, offering a soft feel ideal for spin variation and tactical placement. While not built for aggressive power loops, it provides a strategic advantage for patient players who rely on precision and spin manipulation.
This 3-ply construction features thin outer layers of poplar wood sandwiching a thicker central core of basswood. This configuration is designed to provide exceptional touch, feel, and flexibility, directly contributing to the blade's high control and dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Hunter Hawk is rated as a slower blade, consistent with its defensive orientation and all-wood construction. The thin outer plies and flexible core create a softer feel that reduces raw speed, making it ideal for control-based play rather than aggressive attacking. Players can focus on placement and spin without the blade overpowering their shots.
Control is the blade's primary strength. Its flexible nature, generous dwell time, and oversized head work together to allow for precise ball placement and minimize unforced errors. This makes it a favorite for defensive players who rely on consistency and tactical accuracy in their game.
Hunter Hawk delivers a distinctively soft feel due to its thin poplar outer plies and all-wood build. This softness provides excellent feedback and dwell time, crucial for defensive maneuvers like chopping and blocking, allowing players to feel the ball securely on the racket.
Due to its flexibility and dwell time, Hunter Hawk tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, which helps generate spin on loops and makes lifting underspin balls more manageable.
The blade's construction promotes significant dwell time, letting the ball sink into the racket face. This extended contact is key for generating heavy spin on serves and effectively controlling pushes and chops.
This is a notably flexible blade, which enhances its dwell time and control. The flexibility is advantageous for defensive shots and provides a softer impact, contrasting with the stiffness of many modern offensive blades.
Hunter Hawk is described as having a classic feel with moderate vibration that aids in ball feedback without being jarring. This characteristic complements its control-oriented playstyle, providing useful tactile information during play.
Players generally praise the Hunter Hawk's build quality, noting smooth handle sanding and solid construction, especially for its price point. Some users recommend sealing the blade when new to protect the wood, but overall, it's considered a well-made, reliable piece of equipment.
Technology
Hunter Hawk embodies traditional blade craftsmanship with a simple yet effective 3-ply all-wood design. Its technology lies in the deliberate selection and layering of woods—thin poplar outer plies over a central basswood core—to maximize touch, feel, and flexibility. This construction harks back to classic designs that prioritized control and dwell time over raw speed. The oversized head is another key element, enhancing the sweet spot and forgiveness. Together, these choices create a nuanced playing experience that emphasizes finesse and tactical play in the modern game.
Similar Blades
3-ply Hock blades
Some players have purchased the Hunter Hawk specifically as a replacement for 3-ply Hock blades they wished to preserve. They report that the playing feel is very close, making Hunter Hawk a viable and often more accessible alternative for those seeking that classic, flexible 3-ply all-wood experience.