Ma Long Carbon

Nittaku Ma Long Carbon is engineered for high speed, with its carbon layers providing a significant boost to power output. It excels in fast exchanges and powerful drives, giving players an aggressive offensive edge. Our testing shows it delivers excellent speed on powerful shots, though it may feel slightly more controlled on softer touches compared to some other high-performance carbon blades, offering a well-managed power curve.

Despite its high speed, Ma Long Carbon offers commendable control for an offensive blade. This is attributed to its 7-ply construction, where the wood plies provide better feel and allow for more controlled execution of strokes, including blocking and precise placement shots. Players report it maintains good control values, making it a versatile choice for aggressive play that doesn't sacrifice accuracy.

Ma Long Carbon delivers a medium-hard feel characterized by a direct response and minimal vibration. Players report a soft initial sensation upon ball contact, followed by a propulsive stiffness from the carbon layers. This unique combination provides clear feedback on impact, which advanced players can leverage for precise shot-making and touch play.

Designed to create high-arc trajectories, Ma Long Carbon produces a medium-high throw angle. This is particularly beneficial for executing powerful topspin loops that clear the net with authority and apply significant pressure on opponents, fitting perfectly into an aggressive, looping game.

The combination of wood plies and inner carbon layers contributes to a very good dwell time, allowing for effective spin generation, especially on loops. While the blade is fast, it maintains sufficient dwell to create high-arc trajectories and add significant spin to the ball, supporting a spin-oriented attacking style.

While it contains carbon layers for speed, Ma Long Carbon is not overly stiff. It possesses a moderate level of flexibility that enhances dwell time and allows for powerful, spin-loaded shots without sacrificing feel. This slight flex contributes to its ability to produce heavy balls loaded with both power and rotation.

This blade is noted for having nearly no vibration, a characteristic of well-constructed composite blades where the materials absorb excess shock. This leads to a clean, direct feel that provides clear feedback without unwanted chatter, allowing players to focus on shot execution.

Nittaku Ma Long Carbon is generally regarded as a blade of high manufacturing quality, reflecting its 'Made in Japan' origin. The materials are well-chosen, and the integration of carbon layers is precise, contributing to its overall performance, consistency, and durability. TTSensei experts note the high-quality craftsmanship, though some early versions had minor finishing details like unsanded wings.