Weight
85g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Flame
Nittaku Flame is a high-performance offensive blade built around proprietary 'Burning Wood' technology. This process hardens the wood layers, creating a larger sweet spot and boosting speed without adding significant weight. Its robust 7-ply construction delivers a powerful and stable platform for aggressive play, reinforced with integrated wooden edge protection for durability. Though discontinued, it remains a sought-after choice for players who value a dynamic, speed-oriented blade with a distinct feel.
Flame is built with a 7-ply all-wood construction. While the specific wood types are not detailed, all layers undergo the proprietary 'Burning Wood' treatment. This process modifies the wood's properties to increase hardness and create a larger sweet spot, forming the foundation of the blade's offensive characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Flame is renowned for its exceptional speed, consistently rated in the high 9s. This is a direct result of its stiff 7-ply build and the 'Burning Wood' technology, which increases wood hardness and responsiveness. It's engineered for players who want to attack aggressively and finish points quickly with powerful, direct shots.
Control is rated moderately well for such a fast blade. While powerful, it requires good technique to harness its potential without sacrificing accuracy. The stiff nature can make delicate short-game play more challenging, but players report it offers sufficient control for confident attacking when paired with proper stroke mechanics.
Flame delivers a stiff, medium-hard feel due to its 7-ply construction and hardened wood. Players describe a solid, direct impact with a degree of responsiveness, and the large sweet spot contributes to a generally positive and confident sensation on contact.
Flame produces a medium-high throw angle on powerful topspin shots. This characteristic helps generate aggressive loops that arc over the net and dip sharply onto the table, complementing its speed-oriented design for offensive play.
Dwell time is moderate. The emphasis on speed and stiff construction means the ball doesn't linger excessively on the rubber, favoring quick ball exit for fast counter-attacks. This can limit extreme spin generation compared to blades with longer dwell, but it supports a direct, powerful playing style.
Flame is a relatively stiff blade with low flexibility. This characteristic is fundamental to its offensive design, providing a solid, direct platform for powerful shots and ensuring minimal energy loss on impact, which is ideal for speed and aggression.
Vibration is at a controlled, medium level. While the blade has a stiff feel, it doesn't transmit excessive or harsh vibrations. The wood treatment likely helps dampen unwanted frequencies, providing a focused and comfortable feel on impact during aggressive play.
Nittaku's Japanese manufacturing is known for high quality, and Flame exemplifies this. The proprietary 'Burning Wood' technology suggests advanced processing, while the integrated wooden edge protection enhances durability for long-term play. Players consistently note its excellent build quality and consistency.
Technology
Nittaku Flame utilizes proprietary 'Burning Wood' technology. This advanced process involves a special treatment of the wood layers, increasing their hardness and density. The key benefits are a significantly enlarged sweet spot and a reduction in overall weight, while simultaneously enhancing speed and power transfer. Additionally, the blade features integrated wooden edge protection, a design that improves durability by shielding the edges from impacts during active play.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Flame Carbon
Nittaku Flame Carbon is the direct evolution of the original Flame, incorporating carbon or kevlar layers alongside the 'Burning Wood' technology. This version offers significantly increased speed and power with an outer carbon construction. It represents a more extreme offensive option, though some players may find it less forgiving with shorter dwell time compared to the all-wood Flame.
Nittaku Acoustic Carbon
Nittaku Acoustic Carbon shares a similar offensive ethos with Flame but uses a different construction, often featuring inner FE Carbon with Limba/Tung layers. It is also designed for power and speed but is frequently noted for its excellent control and a softer, more refined feel. Players seeking a powerful Nittaku blade with great offensive capability but slightly more touch and control might consider the Acoustic Carbon.