Weight
82g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
5-ply
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Mermaid Black Wood
Kokutaku Mermaid Black Wood is a 5-ply all-wood table tennis blade designed for offensive play, balancing speed and control. Its sleek, all-black aesthetic offers a modern look. Constructed from premium wood layers, it delivers a responsive feel ideal for loop-driven attacks, providing a solid foundation for powerful strokes and precise placement. This blade emphasizes a direct connection between player and ball, creating an engaging experience for those developing their offensive game.
The blade is built with 5 plies of pure wood in a symmetrical outer-to-core-to-outer layout. This all-wood construction is traditional, known for delivering a good balance of speed, control, and direct feel, which helps the blade dwell on the ball to aid spin and controlled attacks.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kokutaku Mermaid Black Wood delivers moderate to high speed suitable for offensive play, particularly for loops and controlled drives. Its 5-ply all-wood construction provides a responsive feel that enables effective power transfer without sacrificing too much control, making it a reliable choice for developing attackers.
With a high control rating, this blade excels in providing command over the ball, crucial for precise shots, short game tactics, and rally consistency. Its natural dwell time and feedback aid in developing touch and placement, making it a strong option for players honing their offensive skills.
The blade offers a medium feel, balancing direct feedback with a slightly cushioned effect from the 5-ply wood construction. This allows players to sense ball contact and spin for better shot execution, though some note a duller sound compared to crisper, high-end blades.
Given its OFF- classification and wood construction, this blade produces a medium to high throw angle. This trait benefits offensive players using high-arching topspin shots to clear the net and land deep on the opponent's side.
Based on its 5-ply all-wood construction and OFF- rating, the blade provides medium to long dwell time. This lets the ball sink into the blade face longer, enhancing spin generation on serves and loops while improving control in the short game.
As a 5-ply all-wood offensive blade, it exhibits moderate to high flexibility. This bending during powerful strokes helps generate speed and spin, particularly beneficial for looping and aggressive plays.
The 5-ply wood construction typically delivers moderate vibration feedback, allowing players to feel impact and adjust shots without being overly harsh. Some users describe a dull sound, suggesting a dampened vibration compared to stiffer or composite blades.
Quality feedback on this blade is mixed. While some appreciate its performance for the price, others report issues with wood finishing, including splinters that can affect the playing experience and durability. This suggests potential manufacturing inconsistencies buyers should consider.
Technology
Kokutaku Mermaid Black Wood features a classic 5-ply all-wood construction, utilizing layers of carefully selected wood to balance offensive capabilities with control. The design leverages natural wood properties for consistent feel and responsiveness, enabling effective execution of various shots. The 'Black Wood' name refers to its all-black aesthetic rather than a specific wood type or integrated technology, emphasizing a traditional, performance-focused approach.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive
Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive is a 5-ply all-wood blade often compared to classic offensive options. Like the Mermaid Black Wood, it offers a blend of speed and control suitable for looping-focused play. Its reputation for consistent quality and mid-range pricing makes it a reliable alternative for players seeking a dependable all-wood offensive blade.
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is a benchmark 5-ply all-wood blade classified as 'Allround' but provides excellent control and feel with enough speed for developing offensive players. If considering the Mermaid Black Wood for its control and all-wood feel, this serves as a well-established alternative that excels in those areas, though with potentially less outright speed.