Weight
80g
Thickness
8.8mm
Plies
1-ply
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Airuline 8.8
Nittaku Airuline 8.8 is a Japanese penhold blade crafted from a single, thick piece of Kiso Japanese Cypress. This 8.8mm construction delivers a direct, flexible feel with a resonant clack sound, emphasizing strong feedback and a connection with the ball. Designed for players who favor a driving and blocking game close to the table, it offers a classic yet powerful one-ply experience. Its unique properties provide excellent control and dwell time, making it a specialized choice for intermediate to advanced penhold players seeking an authentic feel.
A true single-ply construction using Kiso Japanese Cypress, known for its unique flexibility, distinctive feel, and resonant acoustic properties.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
The substantial 8.8mm thickness of the single-ply Japanese Cypress provides considerable power and speed, especially effective for driving and blocking strokes. While not matching the extreme pace of modern composite blades, it delivers significant offensive capability inherent to its unique construction.
Despite its speed, the direct feel and significant dwell time of the single-ply cypress allow for exceptional control. This is particularly noticeable in blocking and short game play, making the blade surprisingly manageable and precise for its power level.
The single-ply Japanese Cypress provides a very direct, communicative, and flexible feel. Players report excellent feedback on every shot, accompanied by a distinctive clack sound that enhances the sensory connection with the ball.
The combination of flexibility and thick cypress construction tends to produce a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for generating effective spin on drives and loops, helping to lift the ball over the net with good arc.
The thick, single-ply cypress construction naturally creates a long dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This aids significantly in spin generation and control, making it especially effective for drives and blocks.
For its thickness, the single-ply cypress offers a surprising amount of flexibility. This contributes directly to the extended dwell time and the soft, connected feel, while still maintaining enough underlying stiffness for powerful offensive shots.
The natural properties of Japanese cypress in this thick, one-ply format result in a distinct and noticeable vibration upon impact. Many players find this characteristic desirable as it contributes to the blade's unique and informative feel.
Nittaku's reputation for high-quality Japanese craftsmanship is evident here. The single-ply cypress construction, while minimalist, is executed with precision, resulting in a durable blade with a consistent playing surface that players highly regard.
Technology
Nittaku Airuline 8.8 employs a minimalist technological philosophy, focusing entirely on the inherent qualities of its sole material: Kiso Japanese Cypress. Unlike modern blades with composite layers, its performance is derived from the specific 8.8mm thickness and the natural properties of the wood. This pure, one-ply construction aims to deliver an authentic and direct playing experience, prioritizing natural feel, flexibility, and a resonant sound over engineered performance enhancements.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Excelity
Players familiar with both blades have noted that Airuline 8.8 offers a superior feel compared to the Nittaku Excelity. This suggests that for players seeking a classic Japanese penhold experience, the Airuline 8.8's one-ply cypress construction provides a more direct and connected sensation.
Blutenkirsche B4007
When compared to other Japanese penhold blades in a similar price range, like the Blutenkirsche B4007, players have found the Airuline 8.8 to be an excellent value. Its combination of unique cypress feel and performance makes it a highly recommended choice for players considering options at this level.