Weight
86g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Premier XQ
ITC Premier XQ is a five-ply all-wood offensive blade built for players who want speed without sacrificing control. Its unique construction uses four layers of Hinoki wood paired with a lightweight African wood core, creating a medium-soft feel with excellent dwell time. At 6.2mm thick, it delivers enhanced rebound and elasticity, making it a potent tool for topspin, blocking, and counter-attacks. This blade offers a faster, more accessible alternative to traditional Hinoki designs, perfect for intermediate to advanced attackers seeking a balanced and responsive playing experience.
The construction features five wood plies. Four layers are Hinoki (serving as the two outer and two middle plies), and the center ply is a lightweight African wood. This arrangement is designed to provide a soft feel with good elasticity and controlled speed, while the increased thickness enhances the rebound effect.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Premier XQ is rated as a fast blade within the all-wood category. It generates high speed and power with compact swings, making it highly effective for aggressive topspin and counter-attacking play. Our testing shows it offers a noticeable step up in elasticity and pace compared to many traditional Hinoki blades, though it generally remains slower than composite or carbon constructions.
Despite its offensive orientation, Premier XQ provides excellent control. The soft feel from the multiple Hinoki layers allows for safe and precise execution of loops, blocks, and placement shots. This balance makes the blade highly accessible, letting players swing with confidence without sacrificing accuracy.
Premier XQ offers a unique, mixed feel. It has an overall hard characteristic but doesn't feel overly stiff on impact. The four Hinoki layers impart a very soft sensation, which contributes significantly to its good dwell time and elastic response, a key benefit for spin and control.
The throw angle is medium-high, which is beneficial for offensive play. It allows for a higher arc on loops, making them more difficult to return and providing a greater safety margin over the net, while still enabling effective shot placement.
The ample use of Hinoki wood provides a good amount of dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the blade surface longer, facilitating heavy spin generation on serves and topspin shots while offering a more controlled and connected feel during blocks.
The blade exhibits a moderate level of flexibility, which is advantageous for spin generation. This flex allows for deeper ball pocketing during strokes, resulting in more spin-loaded shots, particularly on loops. Its elasticity is a noted positive attribute for offensive play.
Players report very low vibration feedback. This characteristic creates a comfortable hitting experience and allows for a clearer sensation of ball contact, which aids in shot control and precise placement.
Craftsmanship and build quality are consistently praised. The blade features a fresh, contemporary design with high-quality construction and a well-finished feel. The premium Hinoki wood and careful assembly contribute to both its sophisticated appearance and reliable, high-level performance.
Technology
Premier XQ is part of the ITC Premier series, developed as a 5-ply all-wood blade with a significant emphasis on Hinoki wood. Its construction uses four layers of Hinoki (outer and middle plies) combined with a lightweight African wood core. The blade thickness is increased to 6.2mm to enhance rebound speed and improve the overall feel. This design aims to deliver a faster, more elastic alternative to traditional Hinoki blades while maintaining a controlled and accessible playing character.
Similar Blades
ITC Premier XC
Premier XQ is often described as a lower-speed, lower-cost version of the Premier XC. Both are from the same series, but the XC is a 5+2 ply inner fiber (Hinoki-Carbon) blade, making it harder and faster. XQ offers a softer, more tactile feel in comparison, prioritizing control and dwell time over raw pace.
Butterfly Petr Korbel
Many players find the speed of Premier XQ sits in a familiar category. It is described as faster than a classic Petr Korbel but slower than some other offensive wood blades. This places it as a comparable option for players who enjoy the well-rounded, controllable offensive character of blades like the Korbel but desire a bit more pace and a softer feel.