Weight
85g
Plies
5-ply
Handles
ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
KTL (LKT) Gun
KTL Gun (also known as LKT Gun) delivers exceptional value and performance, often drawing comparisons to higher-end blades. It combines the direct, crisp feel of Hinoki outer plies with softer, more flexible inner layers, creating a unique playing character. While officially rated OFF-, many find it plays faster, leaning toward OFF/OFF+. Its larger head size can contribute to a head-heavy feel once rubbers are attached, and some players may need time to adapt to its handle for optimal comfort and control during intense rallies.
This 5-ply construction features Hinoki outer plies for hardness and direct feel, combined with softer inner wood layers. This combination aims to provide a blend of speed and dwell time, supporting spin-oriented play while delivering satisfying feedback on impact.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
KTL Gun consistently plays faster than its OFF- rating suggests, with players reporting speeds in the 8.0-9.0 range. The hard Hinoki outer plies combined with flexible inner layers allow for strong acceleration on drives and punches, making it well-suited for offensive play where power is key.
Despite its speed, KTL Gun maintains respectable control around 7.0, thanks to softer inner plies that enhance dwell time. This helps with controlled placement during loops and drives, though some find over-the-table exchanges can feel slightly awkward, suggesting control may dip in very short-range play.
KTL Gun offers a pleasant, medium feel with wonderful bounce and soft touch. The combination of Hinoki and softer inner woods creates a responsive yet forgiving sensation that helps players feel the ball well and generate effective spin.
The blade's construction produces a medium-high throw angle that facilitates easy looping, especially against backspin. This characteristic supports good spin generation on topspin shots and helps players create effective attacking arcs.
Softer inner plies contribute to excellent dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade for extended contact. This characteristic is crucial for generating heavy spin on serves and loops, providing satisfying feedback during strokes.
KTL Gun exhibits medium flexibility from its softer inner plies, allowing for good ball deformation during shots. This flex contributes to spin generation and a forgiving feel, particularly beneficial for looping and driving from mid-distance.
The blade transmits noticeable but not excessive vibration, offering good feedback about ball contact. Many players appreciate this trait as it helps them feel each shot more distinctly.
Build quality receives high praise, especially considering the affordable price. Players describe the craftsmanship as excellent, making this blade a standout in its category for those seeking premium feel without premium cost.
Technology
KTL Gun utilizes a traditional 5-ply all-wood construction with Hinoki outer plies and a core of softer wood. This design blends the hardness and direct feedback of Hinoki with the flexibility and dwell time of softer inner layers. The result is a blade engineered for offensive play with sufficient control for spin-oriented tactics, delivering performance that exceeds expectations for its price category while maintaining excellent craftsmanship.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Tenaly
KTL Gun is often mentioned as LKT's answer to the Nittaku Tenaly, suggesting similar construction philosophy with premium wood plies like Hinoki. Both blades focus on blending speed and feel for offensive play while delivering quality performance at their respective price points.