Weight
82g
Thickness
6.5mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
156x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Feruku
Nittaku Feruku is a high-performance offensive blade built for players who prioritize speed and power. Its hybrid construction combines three wood plies with two layers of Kevlar, creating a unique blend of stiffness and elasticity. This design delivers explosive drives, smashes, and loops while maintaining a surprising level of control and ball feedback. The blade features a distinctive ergonomic handle and is suitable for intermediate to advanced players with developed technique who want to dominate rallies with aggressive, fast-paced play.
The construction features five plies in a symmetrical arrangement: outer Hinoki wood, Kevlar fiber, a central wood ply, another Kevlar layer, and a final Hinoki outer ply. This hybrid design aims to blend the speed and stiffness of Kevlar with the feel and dwell characteristics of wood, particularly Hinoki.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Feruku delivers exceptional speed, consistently rated at the upper end for offensive blades. The Kevlar layers provide significant stiffness and rebound, making it excellent for powerful drives, smashes, and fast rallies. Players report it feels very quick off the blade, suitable for those who want to dictate the pace of play.
Control is moderate for an offensive blade of this speed. The Hinoki outer plies add a degree of softness and feel, helping with touch shots and spin generation. However, the inherent speed and stiffness can cause shots to sail long near the table, so it rewards players with good stroke technique and timing.
Feruku offers a dual feel. The outer Hinoki plies provide a softer surface touch for good ball feedback, while the inner Kevlar and wood core create a stiffer, faster response. The overall sensation leans toward a firm, crisp feel during aggressive shots.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, beneficial for aggressive topspin and drives. This helps players clear the net with pace and attack deep into the opponent's court.
Dwell time is moderate. The wood plies, especially the outer Hinoki, allow for decent ball grip and spin generation. The Kevlar layers add stiffness and speed, which can shorten dwell slightly during very fast exchanges compared to all-wood blades.
Feruku is a relatively stiff blade. The Kevlar plies provide a firm backbone, though the wood layers introduce a slight degree of flexibility. This stiffness facilitates powerful, fast shots with a direct response.
Vibration is well-managed. The Kevlar layers help dampen vibration compared to some pure wood or carbon blades, resulting in a more direct and crisp feel. It's not completely dead, offering a sense of power and precision on impact.
Constructed with premium materials like Hinoki and Kevlar, Feruku exhibits good overall build quality and durability. Some users have noted minor finishing issues like sharp edges on the handle, but the core construction is solid and designed for the demands of offensive play.
Technology
Nittaku Feruku employs a sophisticated hybrid construction. The core consists of three wood plies, with premium Japanese Hinoki forming the outer layers, known for its lightness and responsiveness. Sandwiched between these wood layers are two plies of Kevlar, a high-strength synthetic fiber that provides exceptional stiffness, speed, and vibration dampening. This specific wood-Kevlar-wood-Kevlar-wood layering synergizes the materials, creating a blade that delivers high speed and power while preserving valuable ball feel and a degree of control.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Photino
Some players draw comparisons due to similar Hinoki-over-fiber constructions. However, our analysis finds Feruku to be significantly faster and stiffer. Photino often provides more controlled power and flexibility, making it a potentially more balanced alternative for players who find Feruku too demanding.
Nittaku Tenaly (Non-Feruku version)
The Tenaly series offers variations in construction, including all-wood and carbon versions. While part of the same family, the Feruku stands out as a distinct, high-speed hybrid option within that line, differing from the characteristics of the standard or carbon Tenaly models.