Weight
79g
Thickness
4.5mm
Plies
5-ply
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Sheikh
Joola Sheikh delivers a responsive blend of speed and control, making it a dynamic choice for players looking to enhance their offensive game. Its construction centers on a lightweight balsa wood core for quick acceleration, wrapped in premium pine and limba veneers that provide excellent ball feel and dwell time. This combination creates a lively playing experience where you can distinctly sense ball contact, facilitating precise shot-making and effective spin generation. It's an accessible yet sophisticated blade for those who want attacking power without sacrificing the crucial touch needed for tactical play.
The construction features pine and limba outer veneers for control and feel, surrounding a balsa core that provides speed. A Texalium inlay is included to enhance pace, though its exact placement isn't specified. This combination aims for a blade that is fast yet offers excellent ball feel and dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Joola Sheikh plays faster than its OFF rating indicates, with its balsa core and Texalium inlay significantly boosting speed capabilities. Players report it generates more pace than many comparable blades, making it well-suited for aggressive attacking shots where quick acceleration is key.
The pine and limba veneers provide excellent control and a prolonged ball dwell time, allowing you to feel the ball distinctly in hand. This enhances precise shot placement and supports effective defensive maneuvers, giving you confidence during tactical exchanges.
The balsa core combined with limba and pine veneers creates a distinct, communicative feel of the ball in hand. This medium sensation provides clear feedback during play, aiding in precise control and effective spin generation for a responsive touch.
The speed-oriented construction with a balsa core and composite inlay suggests a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for aggressive attacking shots, helping generate good pace and arc on loops, drives, and serves.
The veneer combination is designed to increase the time the ball stays on the blade, facilitating greater spin development and enhancing control during strokes. Players can literally feel the ball linger, which helps in crafting nuanced shots.
The balsa core typically offers a degree of flex, which contributes to dwell time and feel. Combined with the outer veneers, it results in a moderately flexible blade that suits both looping for spin and controlled blocking at the table.
While not explicitly rated, the construction suggests a moderate level of vibration. The balsa core and outer veneers work together to provide useful feedback without being jarring, offering a controlled vibration profile that supports good feel.
Joola Sheikh is generally built with good quality and premium materials. However, some players have noticed slight inconsistencies in feel between different units, indicating minor manufacturing variances that don't significantly impact overall performance but are worth noting for perfectionists.
Technology
Joola Sheikh features a unique construction combining a lightweight 4.5mm balsa wood core with a high-quality Texalium inlay for enhanced speed. This core is encased by premium pine and limba veneers, known for providing excellent control and superior ball feel. The blade utilizes a specialized large-scale gluing technique, developed over two years of testing, to integrate these materials effectively. This method maximizes synergy between the speed-generating core and control-oriented outer layers, creating a blade where the ball can be distinctly felt in the hand for precise play.
Similar Blades
Joola Kool
Joola Sheikh is often referred to as the 'little brother of Joola Kool.' This suggests a shared design philosophy, with the Sheikh likely being a slightly less powerful or more control-oriented version. It complements the Kool by offering a similar feel with a touch more accessibility for players seeking a balanced offensive option.