Weight
79g
Thickness
5.6mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
150x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Celsior 5.6 Direct Bamboo
Nimatsu Celsior 5.6 Direct Bamboo is a 5-ply hybrid blade that masterfully balances offensive power with exceptional control. Its unique construction layers bamboo fibers between wood veneers, creating a responsive yet comfortable feel with minimal vibration. At 5.6mm thick, it offers the speed needed for attacking play while maintaining the dwell time and touch for precise spin-oriented shots. This blade excels for intermediate to advanced players seeking a versatile platform for looping, blocking, and controlled drives, especially when paired with modern tensor rubbers.
The blade uses a symmetrical 5-ply build: wood outer plies sandwich alternating layers of bamboo fiber and a wood core. This specific sequence is engineered to harness the bamboo's properties—increased stiffness and vibration damping—while maintaining the foundational feel and consistency of wood throughout the blade's structure.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Players report the Celsior 5.6 delivers very good offensive speed, making it effective for powerful attacks. While it's classified as an OFF blade, the speed feels manageable and well-integrated, not overwhelming. This allows a wider range of players to harness its power for drives and loops without losing control, positioning it ideally for those stepping up from all-round styles.
Control is where this blade truly shines. The responsive bamboo and wood construction provides exceptional feedback, allowing for precise shot placement even during fast rallies. Players find they can execute delicate touches, sharp angles, and consistent blocks with high confidence, making it a reliable partner for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
The blade delivers a direct and responsive medium-hard feel. Contact is crisp and informative, giving clear feedback on impact. The bamboo fibers help firm up the sensation without making it overly stiff or harsh, resulting in a confident touch that's excellent for feeling the ball during spin generation.
It produces a medium-high throw angle, ideal for modern attacking play. This trajectory helps lift the ball over the net with good margin for error, facilitating powerful topspin loops and arc-ing shots. It pairs exceptionally well with tensor rubbers that also favor a higher throw.
TTSensei experts note a medium-high dwell time, which is a key strength for spin-oriented play. The blade holds the ball just long enough on the rubber to allow players to brush and impart heavy topspin or sharp sidespin, making it highly effective for loop drives and sophisticated serves.
The blade exhibits a stiff character with just a hint of flex. This stiffness contributes to its direct speed and crisp feedback, while the slight give aids in ball pocketing for spin. It's not a overly flexible blade, which supports its primary identity as a controlled offensive tool.
A standout feature is its remarkably low vibration. The specific veneer and bamboo fiber composition effectively dampen unwanted oscillations, leading to a very stable and comfortable feel on impact. This reduces player fatigue and increases consistency, especially on blocks and off-center hits.
The Celsior 5.6 is consistently praised for its high build quality and material selection. The finish is clean, the plies are well-bonded, and it offers a premium feel that belies its accessible price point. It's a blade that feels solid and dependable in hand, built to perform reliably over time.
Technology
The core innovation is the 'Direct Bamboo' technology, which strategically layers bamboo fibers between traditional wood veneers. This design aims to optimize the blade's physical properties: the bamboo enhances stiffness and speed for offensive play, while simultaneously expanding the sweet spot and dramatically reducing vibration. The result is a blade that offers the power and stability of composite materials but retains the tactile feedback and controlled feel prized in all-wood constructions, creating a unique and effective platform for spin-based tactics.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Primorac OFF-
The Butterfly Primorac OFF- is a classic 5-ply all-wood blade renowned for its superb balance. Like the Celsior 5.6, it offers a blend of controllable speed and excellent feel, making it a fantastic choice for players developing an offensive game. It provides a more traditional wood sensation and is a trusted benchmark for players who value consistency and spin generation in a timeless design.