Weight
85g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Kasumi Special
Nittaku Kasumi Special is a 7-ply hybrid blade engineered for players who demand a potent blend of offensive power and balanced control. Developed in collaboration with top player Kasumi Ishikawa, its inner FE-carbon construction enhances speed and stability while preserving the natural feel of wood. This blade excels in close-to-mid-distance rallies, supporting aggressive topspin play and powerful counter-attacks with a solid feel and a large, forgiving sweet spot, making it a formidable choice for intermediate to advanced players.
This 5-wood + 2 FE-carbon construction places the carbon layers between the middle and inner plies. The inner carbon design provides speed and stiffness while maintaining a softer feel and better ball feedback closer to a wooden blade. Outer Limba and inner Ayous plies contribute to feel and control, while FE-Carbon enhances the sweet spot and power.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Kasumi Special is consistently rated as a fast blade, falling into the OFF class with a mid-fast character. This speed stems from the inner FE-carbon layers, which provide direct power for aggressive shots, making it suitable for players who favor an offensive style and need quick response for powerful attacks.
Despite its high speed, Kasumi Special maintains exceptional control, a key highlight praised by players. The inner carbon placement combined with wood plies creates a controllable feel that allows for precise placement and delicate shots, offering a remarkable balance between power and tactical precision.
Kasumi Special delivers a medium-hard shot feeling, typical for hybrid blades with carbon layers. This firm response provides direct power and clear ball feedback, especially beneficial for powerful strokes and aggressive play.
Players report a tendency for medium-high throw angles, particularly when paired with certain rubbers. This characteristic facilitates powerful topspin shots with good arc, benefiting players who rely on spin to win points.
The combination of wood plies and inner FE-carbon suggests a medium-to-long dwell time. This allows for good spin generation on serves and loops, and provides a solid, connected feel during ball contact.
Kasumi Special offers medium flexibility, allowing for good control during softer shots like blocks and pushes while maintaining enough stiffness for powerful topspin shots. This balance supports versatile stroke execution.
Our testing shows a moderate level of vibration that contributes to feel without being jarring. The carbon layers help dampen excessive vibration, creating a balanced and informative tactile experience.
Kasumi Special is widely considered a high-quality blade, reflecting Nittaku's reputation for excellent craftsmanship. Players frequently praise its build quality, premium materials, and overall feel, with Japanese manufacturing contributing to its perceived durability and refined finish.
Technology
Nittaku Kasumi Special utilizes an 'inner FE-carbon' technology, where two plies of FE-carbon are strategically placed between wood layers. This construction aims to provide carbon fiber benefits—increased speed, a larger sweet spot, and enhanced stability—without the harshness or reduced feel often associated with outer carbon plies. The design achieves a harmonious balance of power and control, embodying Nittaku's commitment to quality craftsmanship and player-centric engineering.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kasumi Ishikawa
Kasumi Ishikawa, a prominent Japanese professional player, was directly involved in developing this blade. Created to meet her demanding requirements, it combines outstanding power with a sense of balance. She has used it throughout her career, highlighting its suitability for her aggressive, all-around style that emphasizes both powerful topspin shots and controlled rallies.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Latika Carbon
Nittaku Latika Carbon is frequently mentioned as very similar in composition and performance to Kasumi Special. Both use Limba outer plies and FE-Carbon with a wood core. TTSensei experts note the Latika Carbon may offer slightly more control and consistency in blocking, while Kasumi Special feels a bit more bouncy. Both are excellent choices for players seeking a powerful yet controlled hybrid blade.
Nittaku Acoustic Carbon Inner
While not a direct material match, Nittaku Acoustic Carbon Inner is sometimes discussed for its similar inner carbon construction. Players seeking a blade faster than the Acoustic but slightly slower than the Acoustic Carbon have considered Kasumi Special as a viable option. This suggests a shared characteristic of balanced power and control, appealing to those looking for refined offensive performance.