Weight
75g
Thickness
6.7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Eto Dragon 2024
Nittaku Eto Dragon 2024 is a limited edition blade celebrating 'unlimited progress' with a striking dragon motif. Crafted in Japan, it merges premium Kiso Hinoki wood with modern elastic rubber carbon technology. Its defining feature is a revolutionary lightweight carbon handle, which reduces overall weight to around 75 grams and shifts the balance forward for enhanced offensive power. This blade delivers a compelling mix of high speed, excellent control, and a crisp feel, making it a top choice for advanced players seeking a powerful yet manageable weapon for aggressive play.
The blade uses a 3+2 construction. Two layers of elastic rubber carbon are sandwiched between an inner wood core and outer plies of premium Kiso Hinoki. This setup aims to deliver the natural dwell and feel of Hinoki while harnessing the speed and structural stability of carbon for a powerful offensive tool.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Eto Dragon 2024 is built for high-velocity offense, carrying an OFF+ rating. The elastic rubber carbon layers and the forward-shifted balance from the carbon handle work in tandem to generate exceptional power, enabling devastatingly fast attacks and powerful counter-strokes that define modern offensive play.
Despite its formidable speed, this blade maintains a commendable level of control. The premium Kiso Hinoki outer plies provide a natural, forgiving feel for the ball, while the elastic carbon technology enhances playing properties without sacrificing predictability, allowing for precise, controlled offensive maneuvers.
You get a firm, crisp response from the carbon layers, but it's thoughtfully balanced by the flexible and tactile feedback of the outer Kiso Hinoki. The result is a feel that is direct and powerful, yet still communicative on ball contact.
Designed for offensive topspin play, the blade produces a medium-high throw angle. This helps aggressive loops and drives clear the net with a good arc, allowing for deep, penetrating shots into the opponent's court.
The flexible Kiso Hinoki outer plies are excellent at gripping the ball, providing a noticeably long dwell time that is ideal for generating heavy spin. The carbon layers add speed without completely sacrificing this crucial characteristic for loopers.
While the Hinoki wood offers inherent flex, the twin carbon layers create an overall profile that leans towards stiffness. This design prioritizes direct power transfer and a solid hitting feel, which is typical for blades optimized for speed-driven offensive play.
There's a moderate, crisp vibration feedback on impact. The composite structure and carbon handle transmit a direct sensation that many players appreciate for its clarity, offering good feel without being overly harsh or muted.
Manufactured in Japan with aged Kiso Hinoki and advanced carbon tech, the Eto Dragon 2024 exemplifies top-tier craftsmanship. Players consistently note the impeccable finish, premium wood grain, and robust construction, reflecting Nittaku's commitment to producing exceptional, high-performance equipment.
Technology
Nittaku Eto Dragon 2024 centers on two key innovations: revolutionary elastic rubber carbon layers for enhanced speed and playing properties, and the world's first lightweight carbon handle. This handle drastically cuts overall weight and strategically repositions the balance point towards the blade's tip to boost offensive power. These technologies are combined with premium, aged Kiso Hinoki wood for the outer plies, prized for its flexibility and superb ball feel, creating a unique synergy of modern composite performance and traditional material craftsmanship.