Weight
85g
Thickness
5.8mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
156x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Kasumi Basic
Nittaku Kasumi Basic is a 5-ply all-wood table tennis blade crafted in Japan, offering a superb balance of speed and control. It's an excellent choice for offensive players who focus on topspin and close-to-the-table play. The construction delivers good dwell time for spin generation and a comfortable feel for precise shot-making. Gaining international recognition for its quality craftsmanship, this versatile blade is suitable for players looking to improve their game or seeking a reliable tool for well-rounded offense and defense.
A classic 5-ply all-wood construction featuring Koto outer plies and Ayous inner plies. This combination typically provides a soft to medium feel, good dwell time for spin, and balanced speed and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kasumi Basic is generally rated as a medium-speed offensive blade. Our testing shows it offers good offensive capability without being overwhelming, providing a balanced pace suitable for controlled attacking play, especially when paired with modern rubbers.
Control is a standout feature of Kasumi Basic. Its balanced construction and medium-soft feel allow for precise placement and execution of various strokes, making it highly reliable for players who value consistency and touch in their game.
Kasumi Basic delivers a medium-soft to medium feel, providing good feedback and a comfortable touch. This characteristic contributes significantly to its excellent dwell time, allowing players to feel the ball on the rubber for enhanced spin execution.
The 5-ply wood construction and its suitability for looping create a medium to medium-high throw angle. This characteristic helps facilitate effective topspin shots, allowing the ball to clear the net with good arc and spin.
The combination of 5 all-wood plies and the medium-soft feel results in significant dwell time. This allows players to brush the ball effectively, generating high amounts of spin on serves, loops, and pushes.
Kasumi Basic possesses a noticeable flex, contributing to its dwell time and spin-friendly nature. This flexibility supports a more European/Japanese feel that is conducive to looping and controlled attacking play, rather than a stiff, direct impact.
The blade provides a moderate level of vibration, typical for quality all-wood constructions. It offers clear ball feedback without being excessively numb or overly buzzy, giving players a good sense of contact.
Nittaku is renowned for its manufacturing quality, and Kasumi Basic exemplifies this with excellent construction, high-quality wood veneers, and overall durability. It represents premium craftsmanship that players can trust for consistent performance.
Technology
Nittaku Kasumi Basic features a traditional 5-ply all-wood construction known for meticulous wood veneer selection and precise manufacturing. The outer Koto plies provide a good surface for spin, while the inner Ayous plies contribute to the blade's flex and dwell time. Each blade is factory-sealed to prevent wood splintering, a hallmark of high-quality Japanese craftsmanship that ensures durability and consistent performance.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kasumi Ishikawa
Kasumi Ishikawa, a prominent Japanese player, extensively used Nittaku Kasumi Basic during her career, including her success reaching the Final 8 at the 2009 World Championships. The blade's balanced properties of speed, control, and spin generation aligned perfectly with her offensive style, which emphasized strong spin execution close to the table.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Latika
Nittaku Latika is often mentioned as being very similar to Kasumi Basic, with some suggesting it is an oversized version. Both share the same 5-ply wood construction, offering comparable playing characteristics in feel, control, and spin, though the Latika's larger head size may provide a slightly different feel and a potentially larger sweet spot.
Butterfly Primorac
Kasumi Basic is sometimes compared to Butterfly Primorac in terms of speed and control ratings. Both are classic 5-ply all-wood blades offering a good balance for offensive play. TTSensei experts note Kasumi Basic typically has slightly more dwell time and a softer feel compared to the Primorac, which can be perceived as a bit stiffer and more direct.