Weight
84g
Thickness
6.8mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
KTL (LKT) Carbon King
KTL Carbon King is a fast and consistent offensive blade that delivers exceptional value. Its 7-ply hybrid construction combines Limba and Koto woods with carbon layers to create a powerful tool for aggressive play. The blade offers a hard feel and medium-high throw angle, making it ideal for looping and powerful drives. With a wide sweet spot and surprising control for its speed, it's a reliable choice for intermediate to advanced attacking players seeking performance without a premium price tag.
The 7-ply construction features Limba outer plies followed by Koto inner plies, with carbon layers sandwiching a central wood core. This symmetrical build combines the feel and spin characteristics of Limba with the structural support of Koto, enhanced by carbon layers that increase stiffness and expand the sweet spot for more consistent power.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
KTL Carbon King is consistently rated as a very fast blade, with players reporting exceptional offensive capabilities. This speed stems directly from its carbon-infused construction, which provides the stiffness and power transfer needed for aggressive shots. The blade excels in driving and looping situations where raw pace is advantageous.
Despite its high speed, KTL Carbon King offers a surprisingly good level of control. The blade's construction manages to balance attacking power with placement accuracy, making it suitable for players who need both elements in their game. This control rating indicates you can play aggressively while still maintaining good ball placement.
The blade delivers a hard, direct feel typical of carbon composite constructions. This provides clear feedback on ball contact, allowing players to sense their shots well. While it lacks the softer touch of all-wood blades, this medium-hard characteristic supports powerful, fast strokes.
The combination of carbon layers and hard feel creates a medium-high throw angle that's advantageous for looping and attacking shots. This allows the ball to clear the net comfortably while generating significant topspin, perfect for aggressive playing styles.
Given the blade's stiffness and hard feel, dwell time falls in the medium range. This characteristic supports fast shots and quick counter-attacks while still allowing for reasonable spin generation, though it doesn't provide the extended ball contact of more flexible blades.
KTL Carbon King leans toward the stiffer side with low flexibility. This characteristic maximizes speed and direct power transfer rather than flexibility-based spin generation. The stiffness contributes to its quick response and powerful shot-making capabilities.
Vibration levels are moderate, which is typical for composite blades designed for speed. The carbon layers help reduce excessive vibration compared to some all-wood blades, resulting in a cleaner, more direct sensation on impact that many offensive players prefer.
Players report a good level of perceived quality from this blade, particularly noting its consistency and durability relative to its price point. The construction holds up well during play, and many users are surprised by how reliable it performs given its affordable positioning in the market.
Technology
KTL Carbon King utilizes a 7-ply hybrid construction that strategically combines five wood layers with two carbon layers. The design optimizes material benefits: Limba outer plies offer feel and spin potential, Koto inner plies provide structure, while carbon layers significantly enhance stiffness, speed, and sweet spot size. This engineering delivers powerful, fast shots with consistent performance across the blade surface. The construction focuses on maximizing usable hitting area to ensure reliable power and control for aggressive play, particularly in looping and driving situations.
Similar Blades
KTL King Kong Carbon
KTL King Kong Carbon serves as a comparable alternative from the same manufacturer, featuring a 9-ply wood and carbon construction. While differing in ply count and specific layer arrangement, it shares the brand's focus on delivering power and speed at an accessible price point. Players report similar offensive capabilities, making it another option for those seeking aggressive performance from the KTL lineup.