Weight
85g
Thickness
9.2mm
Plies
1-ply
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Handle-Heavy
Russelfor 9.2
Nittaku Russelfor 9.2 is a Japanese penhold blade crafted from a single ply of Hinoki wood, blending traditional feel with modern offensive performance. Its substantial 9.2mm thickness provides a solid foundation for powerful drives and loops, while the soft, responsive nature of Hinoki offers excellent dwell time and a pleasant, tactile feel. Designed for aggressive players who use a Japanese penhold grip, it excels in topspin rallies and powerful attacks while maintaining surprising control for short game tactics. The pure wood construction delivers a classic, satisfying sound and direct feedback, making it a standout for players who value a genuine wood sensation.
The blade is constructed from a single layer of Hinoki wood. This pure, one-ply design is a hallmark of many traditional Japanese penhold blades, prioritizing a distinct feel, sound, and direct power transfer from the wood's natural characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Russelfor 9.2 is rated highly for speed, a characteristic driven by its thick, single-ply Hinoki construction. This design allows for powerful drives and offensive strokes, providing the pace needed for an attacking game. Players report it delivers consistent power from mid-distance, making it effective for forceful loops and counters.
Despite its speed, Russelfor 9.2 offers very good control. The soft, responsive nature of the thick Hinoki ply provides a forgiving touch, allowing for precise placement and tactical play. This balance makes it manageable for players who can harness its power, offering confidence in both aggressive shots and delicate short game maneuvers.
Russelfor 9.2 delivers a medium-hard feel. The thick Hinoki ply provides a solid, direct feedback upon impact, yet retains a degree of softness and flex that enhances dwell time. This creates a unique sensation that is both powerful and communicative, often described as having the touch of a softer multi-ply blade.
The combination of thick Hinoki construction and its playing characteristics typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This is beneficial for offensive players, as it helps generate loopy, spin-heavy arcs that easily clear the net, making topspin attacks both effective and consistent.
The substantial thickness and soft nature of the Hinoki wood provide an extended dwell time. This allows players to feel the ball on the racket longer, making it easier to impart heavy spin during loops and control the ball during fast exchanges, which is a key asset for offensive play.
Russelfor 9.2 sits in the medium range for flexibility. The 9.2mm Hinoki ply combines inherent stiffness for power transfer with a subtle give that aids dwell and feel. This balance prevents it from feeling overly rigid, offering a responsive platform that bends just enough to aid spin generation.
As a thick, single-ply wood blade, Russelfor 9.2 offers a noticeable level of vibration feedback. This sensation helps players understand the quality of ball contact, providing intuitive information for stroke adjustment. The vibration contributes significantly to the blade's overall character and feel.
Russelfor 9.2 is regarded as a high-quality blade, praised for its excellent craftsmanship and material selection. The premium Hinoki wood and precise construction result in a consistent, reliable performance. Players appreciate the authentic feel and durability, noting it represents strong value within its category.
Technology
Nittaku Russelfor 9.2 utilizes traditional blade-making techniques centered on the natural properties of a single ply of high-quality Hinoki wood. The key technological aspect is its considerable 9.2mm thickness, engineered to maximize power storage and release while extending dwell time for aggressive play. This construction emphasizes a pure wood feel, delivering a distinct, crisp sound and direct tactile feedback that sets it apart from composite blades, focusing on organic performance.
Similar Blades
Darker 90
Darker 90 serves as a comparable single-ply Hinoki Japanese penhold blade. Players report the Darker 90 may offer a slightly different feel, potentially with more dwell time, making it an alternative for those who prioritize that specific characteristic within the same classic blade genre.
Butterfly Cypress Max
Butterfly Cypress Max is a notable alternative, sharing a similar single-ply Hinoki construction and Japanese penhold form factor. Our analysis shows it possesses comparable speed, control, and stiffness ratings, making it a viable option for players seeking a blade with analogous offensive characteristics and traditional feel.