Weight
75g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Ardency 3.5
Nimatsu Ardency 3.5 is an All+ rated blade built for players who value control, feel, and precise placement above all. Its five-ply all-wood construction features thermo-treated veneers, creating a unique blend of elasticity and stability. This blade delivers excellent feedback and spin potential, making it a superb choice for tactically-minded players who win points through variation, clever placement, and a deep connection with the ball. It's designed for those seeking a nuanced and consistent playing experience.
The blade features a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood construction. All layers, including the outer, middle, and core plies, have undergone the thermal treatment process. This creates a uniform structure that is harder and lighter than untreated wood, with stable characteristics that ensure consistent performance throughout the blade's lifespan.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Ardency 3.5 offers a respectable speed for an All+ blade, providing enough pace for direct attacks and finishing points. The thermo-treated wood contributes to a consistent and predictable speed output. While not an extreme offensive weapon, it delivers sufficient power for aggressive play when needed, making it a versatile choice that doesn't sacrifice control for raw pace.
Control is the standout feature of this blade, offering exceptional precision for exact ball placement. This high level of controllability is crucial for tactical players who rely on variation, spin, and placement to outmaneuver opponents. The consistent characteristics from the thermo-treatment further enhance its reliability, making every shot feel intentional and secure.
Ardency 3.5 provides a connected, responsive sensation often described as elastic, offering excellent ball feedback. This medium feel is crucial for spin-oriented play, allowing players to sense contact clearly and make subtle adjustments for enhanced touch and control during rallies.
Given its All+ classification and spin-oriented design, the blade likely produces a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates powerful looping shots with a good arc, making it easier to clear the net and land the ball deep, especially when paired with suitable rubbers.
The blade's emphasis on control and spin, combined with its elastic nature, promotes a good dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the blade, facilitating spin generation and controlled, aggressive topspin play, making it effective for looping and sustained rallies.
Described as elastic, the blade exhibits a moderate degree of flexibility. This allows for effective power generation through the blade's flex while maintaining control for looping. It's not a stiff blade, which aligns perfectly with its All+ rating and focus on feel and touch.
It transmits a moderate level of vibration, providing useful feedback without being harsh. The thermo-treatment likely reduces unwanted frequencies, contributing to a controlled and informative feel that helps players sense ball contact without overwhelming sensation.
Quality is highlighted by the Thermo-Furniere technology, which stabilizes the wood's properties to prevent warping or performance degradation over time. This process ensures a consistent, reliable build designed for longevity. The attention to material treatment and manufacturing consistency results in a high-quality blade that performs predictably match after match.
Technology
Nimatsu Ardency 3.5 incorporates Thermo-Furniere technology, where wood veneers are dried at approximately 190°C for about 20 hours before lamination. This process removes all moisture, resulting in harder, lighter, and more dimensionally stable wood. The key benefit is that the blade's playing properties—speed, control, feel—remain constant over time, preventing degradation. This technology ensures enhanced durability, predictable performance, and consistent characteristics, making the blade a reliable long-term partner for players.
Similar Blades
Nimatsu Pulse
Players report the Nimatsu Pulse as a more control-oriented alternative within the same family. It is described as offering greater dwell time and safety, potentially prioritizing ultimate control and feel over the slightly faster pace of the Ardency 3.5, making it a choice for players who want maximum consistency.