X-Carbon

Weight

71g

Thickness

7.2mm

Plies

16-ply

Handles

FL / ST

Material

Hybrid

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Hunter

X-Carbon

China
2008

Hunter X-Carbon is an offensive table tennis blade built with revolutionary Cross-Carbon Technology, designed for players who demand power and speed. Its construction pairs Limba outer plies with a balsa core, woven with a matrix of 12 perpendicular carbon strips. This unique build creates a blade that is exceptionally stiff, powerful, and fast while remaining surprisingly lightweight. Tailored for aggressive players, it provides a high-performance tool to execute authoritative shots with precision, offering a competitive edge through a blend of raw power and responsive feel.

16-Ply Construction

The blade features a unique construction with Limba outer plies, a balsa wood core, and a matrix of 12 perpendicular carbon strips integrated within the core. This Cross-Carbon Technology aims to provide stiffness and power while maintaining a relatively light weight. The balsa core contributes to a lighter feel and a distinct kind of stiffness compared to typical carbon blades.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
9.0

Hunter X-Carbon is highly regarded for its speed, consistently rated high in performance tests. The combination of Limba outer plies, a balsa core, and extensive carbon reinforcement results in a stiff and powerful blade that excels at generating high-speed shots. It's ideal for offensive players who rely on quick attacks, drives, and smashes to dominate points.

Control
6.4

While fast, Hunter X-Carbon's control rating is moderate, reflecting its primary focus on offensive power. The stiffness and speed from its carbon-heavy construction can make delicate short-game play or extreme spin generation more challenging for some players. However, it offers good control for blocking due to its stiffness and provides a degree of forgiveness with a wider sweet spot.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

The feel is generally described as stiff and hard, characteristic of blades with significant carbon content and a balsa core. Players note a prominently carbon feel, with some mentioning a lack of strong feedback or a muted sensation, which is common in very fast carbon blades. The balsa core offers a slightly different tactile experience compared to other carbon constructions.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

Players report a medium to high throw angle, consistent with many fast, stiff, offensive blades. This is advantageous for powerful loops and drives, allowing the ball to clear the net with sufficient height and depth, especially when attacking from mid-distance or further.

Dwell Time
5.0

Given its stiff and fast nature with a balsa core and multiple carbon layers, dwell time is on the lower to medium side. While some reviews mention good dwell time for spin generation relative to other fast carbon blades, it doesn't offer the prolonged dwell of all-wood designs.

Flexibility
3.0

Hunter X-Carbon is notably stiff, a direct result of its construction with a high number of carbon layers and a balsa wood core. This rigidity contributes to a fast, powerful response and is key to its offensive capabilities, making it ideal for aggressive shots.

Vibration
7.0

The blade's stiffness and carbon construction suggest medium to high vibration. Some players find it has not too much vibration or a crisp feeling, while others describe a muted feel or lack of feedback due to vibration dampening from the composite materials—a common trade-off for increased speed.

Quality
7.5

Quality reports show a mix of experiences. Many players praise the excellent craftsmanship and build, leading to high overall satisfaction. However, some users have reported fragility issues, with instances of the blade breaking at the handle joint, suggesting potential inconsistency in manufacturing or a design sensitive to impact.

Technology

Hunter X-Carbon utilizes proprietary Cross-Carbon Technology, which involves integrating a matrix of 12 perpendicular carbon strips within a balsa wood core, sandwiched between Limba outer plies. This unique construction aims to achieve a blend of stiffness, power, and speed while maintaining light weight. The perpendicular arrangement of carbon strips provides a specific type of rigidity and responsiveness, differentiating it from blades with traditional parallel carbon layers. The balsa core contributes to the blade's lightness and influences its feel and vibration characteristics.

Similar Blades

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 22

This blade is a related product that also features a balsa core combined with carbon, suggesting a similar construction philosophy focused on delivering power and speed with lighter weight. It serves as a potential alternative for players seeking a comparable playing experience with an emphasis on offensive performance.

JUIC Brown Carbon

Another offensive blade with carbon in its construction, listed alongside Hunter X-Carbon as a related product. While specific layer details aren't provided, its placement indicates it falls within a similar performance category for offensive players looking for speed and power.