Weight
87.5g
Thickness
5.95mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Telson China
Loki Telson China is engineered for the modern offensive player, integrating inner Aramid Carbon layers for enhanced speed and elasticity while maintaining controllable power. Its Limba outer ply contributes to a softer feel without sacrificing velocity, making it suitable for aggressive loopers who also value precision in the short game and stability in defensive situations. This blade strikes a balance between raw power and refined control, appealing to players who execute both dynamic attacks and nuanced play.
This 5-ply wood with 2 inner aramid carbon layers construction is typical for hybrid blades. The Limba outer plies provide a softer feel and good grip for spin, while the inner Aramid Carbon layers deliver increased speed, stiffness, and a larger sweet spot. The Ayous core and middle layers offer a balanced feel and further contribute to the blade's overall performance characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Loki Telson China is categorized as an OFF+ blade, indicating high speed potential. Its inner aramid carbon construction is specifically designed to enhance speed and power, making it suitable for aggressive attacking shots, fast loops, and counter-attacks. The combination of wood plies and carbon layers allows for a fast ball exit speed, especially on powerful strokes.
Despite its high speed rating, Telson China is noted for its good control, particularly due to its softer Limba outer plies and well-integrated carbon layers. This construction allows for a good feel on the ball and aids in executing precise shots in the short game and maintaining stability during defensive play. The blade's balance also contributes to comfortable play from both sides.
The use of Limba as the outer ply gives Telson China a medium feel, providing good ball feedback and a comfortable sensation during the stroke, particularly in the short game and during loops. The Aramid Carbon layers provide a noticeable, but not overly harsh, stiffness.
The blade's construction, particularly the combination of carbon and wood, tends to produce a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for looping, allowing the ball to clear the net with a good trajectory and depth, especially on aggressive shots.
The combination of softer Limba outer plies and the inherent properties of the aramid carbon layers offers a moderate dwell time. This allows for good spin generation on serves and loops, as the ball has sufficient contact time with the blade. It's not excessively long, which helps maintain speed, but sufficient for controlled spin.
As a hybrid blade with carbon layers, Loki Telson China leans towards the stiffer side of the spectrum, though not as stiff as some all-carbon blades. The Limba outer plies offer a degree of flexibility, but the primary characteristic is its direct power transmission due to the carbon reinforcement.
The inner aramid carbon construction aims to minimize excessive vibration while maintaining speed. The blade offers a moderate level of feedback, allowing players to feel the ball's impact without being overly jarring. The CNF fiber technology also suggests a design aimed at reducing vibration while enhancing feel.
The build quality of Loki Telson China is generally regarded as good. Our testing shows high-quality veneers, good finishing, and durability, with no issues reported regarding the construction or the attachment of rubber sheets. It's often compared favorably in build to higher-priced blades.
Technology
Loki Telson China blade incorporates an 'inner force' construction, featuring Limba outer plies surrounding an Aramid Carbon composite layer, which is then bonded to an Ayous core. Some variations may also mention the use of 'CNF fiber' (Cellulose Nanofiber), a technology designed to improve flexibility and ball retention while reducing vibration, aiming to offer a more pure wood feel with enhanced performance. This construction aims to provide a balance of speed, control, and feel suitable for modern offensive play.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Many players find Loki Telson China is discussed as a potential alternative or benchmark for 5-ply wood plus carbon blades. While not a direct clone, players might consider Viscaria as a reference point for this category of hybrid offensive blades.