Weight
82g
Thickness
5.8mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
KCZ
Nittaku KCZ is a high-performance blade built for aggressive, offensive players who want to dominate with speed and power. Its unique construction combines Kevlar and Carbon layers with Nittaku's Super Core System, delivering a powerful bounce and a crisp, clear feel on impact. This blade excels at enabling explosive loops and rapid attacks while maintaining a surprising level of touch and control for its speed class. It's a top-tier choice for players looking to maximize their offensive arsenal and dictate the pace of the game.
This 7-ply construction incorporates two layers of Kevlar and Carbon fiber, sandwiched between wood plies. The hybrid structure delivers exceptional speed and stiffness, characteristic of composite blades, while the wood layers and Super Core System aim to provide feel and dwell time. The fiber placement enhances power and expands the sweet spot.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Nittaku KCZ is renowned for its blistering speed, consistently rated at the higher end of the spectrum. It's often described as one of the fastest blades available, ideal for players who rely on offensive power, fast attacks, and quick counter-hits. The composite construction with Kevlar and Carbon significantly contributes to its high-speed potential, making it a powerhouse for aggressive play.
Despite its high speed, Nittaku KCZ offers a respectable level of control, which is attributed to its unique construction. The Super Core System and wood plies provide good feel and touch, allowing for precise shot placement. However, this control is relative to its speed; players must still possess good technique to manage the blade's inherent power effectively during rallies.
Nittaku KCZ delivers a stiff feel with good touch and sensitivity. While the composite layers provide a hard impact, the wood plies and Super Core System offer a more connected, crisp sensation than a pure carbon blade, giving players clear feedback on each shot.
Nittaku KCZ has a medium-high throw angle, aiding in generating powerful and penetrating loops. This characteristic helps the ball clear the net with ease, especially on offensive strokes, making it effective for topspin attacks and aggressive play.
Dwell time on Nittaku KCZ is moderate, balancing quickness with spin generation. The wood plies and advanced construction provide enough ball-holding capability to impart spin, especially when paired with appropriate rubbers, making it effective for offensive loops without sacrificing too much speed.
Nittaku KCZ is a very stiff blade, reflecting its high-speed, offensive design. This stiffness ensures direct power transfer and a fast ball exit, beneficial for aggressive play. It offers minimal flex, contributing to powerful impact and stability during hard-hitting exchanges.
Nittaku KCZ has a noticeable vibration level, typical for fast, composite blades. While not excessively jarring, players sensitive to vibration will feel it. The construction aims to absorb some vibration through the Super Core System and wood layers, but the primary focus remains on speed and power.
Nittaku KCZ is built with high-quality materials, including Kevlar and Carbon fibers, which contribute to its durability and stiffness. The construction is solid and well-crafted, with the Super Core System enhancing both build and feel. It's a durable blade designed to withstand rigorous play, offering reliable performance for competitive players.
Technology
Nittaku KCZ features a unique construction that blends traditional wood plies with modern composite materials. It incorporates Kevlar and Carbon fiber layers strategically placed to enhance speed and stiffness. A key technology is the Super Core System, designed to improve feel, impact absorption, and overall performance. This system delivers a crisp, powerful shot sensation while maintaining a level of control and touch often challenging to find in blades of this speed class. The combination creates a blade optimized for aggressive, high-speed offensive play.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Acoustic Carbon
Nittaku Acoustic Carbon shares a similar philosophy of combining wood with carbon fiber (FE Carbon). While KCZ emphasizes raw speed and power with Kevlar and Carbon, Acoustic Carbon offers a more refined feel, often described as having more dwell and a softer touch due to its specific carbon placement and wood selection. It's a good alternative for players who want a composite blade with a more traditional feel and control.
Nittaku S-KC
Nittaku S-KC is another composite blade from Nittaku's S-Series that also uses Kevlar Carbon and spruce wood. It is noted as being very fast and suitable for aggressive play, similar to KCZ. However, our testing suggests S-KC might be slightly softer and offer more dwell than KCZ, making it a potential alternative for players seeking extreme speed but with a touch more ball-holding capability and a less stiff feel.