Weight
84g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
167x135
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Bishu No.1 Specialist
Kokutaku Bishu No.1 Specialist is a revered single-ply Hinoki blade, handcrafted from ancient, 300-year-old Kiso Hinoki wood. It embodies traditional Japanese craftsmanship, offering a unique blend of exquisite feel, powerful performance, and remarkable control. Designed for players who appreciate the nuanced touch and direct feedback of a single-ply construction, it excels in all aspects from controlled placement to explosive offensive drives. Premium materials and meticulous construction ensure a durable, high-performing instrument for dedicated enthusiasts.
A single ply of premium Kiso Hinoki wood forms the entire blade, providing a consistent feel and direct ball response.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This single-ply Hinoki blade offers impressive speed, allowing for powerful offensive shots and quick counter-attacks. The dense, old-growth wood provides a solid foundation for generating high ball velocity.
Despite its speed, Bishu No.1 Specialist provides excellent control, a hallmark of high-quality single-ply Hinoki blades. The natural flexibility and dwell time allow for precise placement and nuanced shot-making.
Bishu No.1 Specialist is characterized by a soft feel, providing excellent ball feedback and a satisfying sensation on impact. This allows players to precisely gauge the force and spin applied to the ball.
The combination of Hinoki wood and the blade's construction typically results in a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for offensive topspin play and clearing the net with good margin.
The single-ply Hinoki construction naturally offers significant dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This facilitates superior spin generation on serves and topspin shots, as well as better control on slower strokes.
This blade possesses a good degree of flexibility, contributing to its dwell time and spin-friendly characteristics. This allows for a more controlled and offensive game with ample spin potential.
While single-ply Hinoki blades can transmit vibration, the older, denser wood of Bishu No.1 Specialist offers a moderate level of vibration, contributing to its controlled feel without being jarring.
Crafted from aged, high-grade Hinoki wood, this blade is built to last and offers an exceptional playing experience. The meticulous selection of materials and artisanal construction speak to its premium quality.
Technology
Kokutaku Bishu No.1 Specialist is a testament to traditional blade-making, focusing on the inherent qualities of its single material. It is crafted from a single piece of 'Bishu Natural Hinoki' wood, selected from natural trees over 300 years old, renowned for their straight grain and aromatic properties. This meticulous selection process and the single-ply construction are the core of its technology, emphasizing natural performance and unparalleled feel over added composite materials or complex layering.
Similar Blades
Darker Speed 90
Players report Bishu No.1 Specialist plays almost identical to Darker Speed 90, only with a little bit less speed and a lower price. Both are highly regarded single-ply Hinoki blades, suggesting similar playing characteristics in terms of feel, control, and offensive potential.
Nittaku Cho Tokusen A
Comparisons indicate that single-ply Hinoki blades like Bishu No.1 Specialist offer a different balance of speed and control compared to other premium options. Nittaku Cho Tokusen A is noted to be slower but with more control, highlighting the performance spectrum within this blade category.