Weight
85g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
162x130
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Nittaku AA
Nittaku AA is a classic single-ply blade crafted from premium Kiso Hinoki wood, celebrated for its exceptional elasticity, durability, and fine grain. This Japanese penhold blade is designed for offensive play, delivering a direct feel and powerful drives. Its traditional construction and the unique properties of Kiso Hinoki contribute to a pleasant hitting sensation and distinctive aroma. Embodying over a century of Nittaku's dedication to quality, it blends traditional craftsmanship with performance-oriented design for players who appreciate the nuanced feel of pure wood blades.
A single-ply construction using the highly prized Kiso Hinoki wood, known for its elasticity, durability, and fine grain. This simple yet effective design is the hallmark of traditional Japanese penhold blades, directly transferring power and feel to the player for an authentic experience.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Nittaku AA is a very fast blade, particularly for a single-ply wood construction. This speed stems from the high elasticity of Kiso Hinoki wood and its 9mm thickness, enabling powerful drives and aggressive attacks. It provides significant offensive potential, making it ideal for players who rely on speed and power in their game.
Despite its high speed, Nittaku AA offers a commendable level of control, especially for a single-ply offensive blade. Players report good handling and stability, particularly with refined technique. The direct feel allows for precise placement, though mastering its power requires skill and consistent stroke execution.
Nittaku AA delivers a soft feel, characteristic of single-ply Hinoki blades. This soft touch provides excellent ball feedback and dwell time, allowing players to feel the ball securely on the blade and generate spin effectively with a comfortable, responsive sensation.
The combination of speed and dwell time results in a medium-high throw angle, enabling effective attacking shots with a good trajectory. This is particularly advantageous for loops and drives, allowing players to clear the net with confidence.
The single-ply Kiso Hinoki construction and its thickness contribute to good dwell time. This allows the ball to sink into the wood, providing a longer contact period that is beneficial for spin generation, particularly on powerful strokes and loops.
Nittaku AA is moderately flexible, a typical trait of single-ply Hinoki blades. This flexibility allows for good ball pocketing and spin development, while maintaining enough stiffness for powerful offensive shots, creating a balanced response.
Vibration is present at a moderate level, contributing to the blade's direct feel. Players can sense the impact through the handle, which aids in ball control and feedback. It's generally not uncomfortable but adds to the blade's character and tactile connection.
Nittaku is renowned for its quality, and the AA exemplifies this with carefully selected, high-grade Kiso Hinoki wood and meticulous Japanese manufacturing. The result is a durable, well-crafted blade with excellent material properties, a pleasant aroma, and a finish that reflects premium craftsmanship.
Technology
Nittaku AA embodies traditional table tennis blade craftsmanship, utilizing a single-ply construction of premium Kiso Hinoki wood. Kiso Hinoki is a highly prized Japanese cypress known for its slow growth, resulting in dense, elastic, and durable timber with a fine grain and pleasant aroma. Nittaku's expertise in selecting and processing this wood ensures optimal performance, highlighting the natural properties of the material. This approach focuses on maximizing the inherent characteristics of the wood to deliver a direct feel, powerful speed, and good dwell time, offering a pure wood experience without composite materials.
Similar Blades
Nittaku EXCELLENT-A
Nittaku EXCELLENT-A is another single-ply Kiso Hinoki blade often considered a close alternative. While also designed for offensive play with a similar feel, players report it might have a slightly softer touch and potentially a bit less speed than the AA, while still maintaining excellent ball holding capabilities and a premium wood sensation.