Weight
88g
Thickness
5.8mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
158x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Latika
Nittaku Latika is a 5-ply all-wood blade that masterfully balances speed, control, and feel. Inspired by the Kasumi Basic, it features a slightly enlarged head for enhanced stability in both blocking and attacking. This versatile platform suits various playing styles, making it a reliable choice for intermediate to advanced players seeking to refine their game. It delivers a satisfying connection with the ball, good dwell time for spin generation, and precise placement.
The construction features Limba outer layers, Spruce for the second and fourth plies, and an Ayous core. This specific wood combination is known to provide a balanced blend of hardness, speed, and flexibility, directly contributing to the blade's distinctive feel and spin capabilities.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Nittaku Latika is rated as an OFF- blade, focusing on offensive play with a balanced approach to speed and control. Our testing places its speed in the upper range for all-wood blades. It offers sufficient pace for effective loops and drives, though generating maximum power on flat hits may require more effort compared to faster composite blades.
Control is a standout feature of the Latika. Players report high predictability and ease of handling, making it excellent for precise shot placement and maintaining rallies. This high level of control allows for confident execution of a wide range of strokes, from delicate pushes to powerful drives.
Latika offers a medium feel with good ball-holding capability and a satisfying connection to the ball. It provides enough feedback for players to feel engaged with their shots, enabling effective spin generation and controlled play near the table.
This blade typically produces a medium-high throw angle, especially during looping strokes. This higher trajectory helps in clearing the net with heavy topspin and creating challenging angles for opponents, supporting an aggressive, spin-oriented game.
Latika provides good dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade for enhanced spin generation. This extended contact is particularly beneficial for creating heavy topspin loops and contributes significantly to both spin potential and overall control.
Latika features a medium flexibility. It is not overly stiff, which allows for good ball pocketing and spin, nor is it too flexible, which would compromise speed. This balance supports a versatile range of strokes from controlled loops to powerful drives.
The blade exhibits a moderate level of vibration that provides useful feedback on ball contact. It's not an overly dead feeling, allowing players to sense the shot without experiencing excessive harshness.
Latika is consistently praised for its excellent build quality and finish, reflecting Nittaku's reputation for high-grade equipment. The craftsmanship is superior, with a durable construction and attractive aesthetic that players immediately appreciate, often noting it as a high-quality blade for its price point.
Technology
Nittaku Latika is crafted using a traditional 5-ply all-wood technique, a method where Nittaku excels. The specific combination of Limba, Spruce, and Ayous wood plies is carefully selected and bonded to achieve the desired balance of speed, control, and feel. This construction leverages the natural properties of wood to create a responsive blade with excellent ball feedback, entirely without synthetic materials like carbon fiber.
Similar Blades
XIOM Offensive S
Latika is often compared to the XIOM Offensive S due to their similar 5-ply all-wood constructions using woods like Limba, Spruce, and Ayous. Both are superbly finished and suited for offensive play. However, Latika is slightly thinner and rated OFF-, while the Offensive S is rated OFF. Many players find the Latika to be a touch slower but with a comparable feel, making it an excellent alternative for those seeking a highly controlled, slightly less explosive offensive option.
Stiga Clipper Wood
Some players draw comparisons between Latika and 7-ply blades like the Stiga Clipper Wood. While Latika is a 5-ply blade, its feel is often described as being almost as good as these thicker alternatives. The comparison suggests that if a player loves Latika's exceptional control but desires more inherent speed, a 7-ply blade like the Clipper Wood could be the next step, though Latika remains a top choice for outstanding control in the OFF- category.