Weight
79g
Thickness
5.9mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x151
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Septear Lead
Nittaku Septear Lead blends classic Hinoki wood feel with modern accessibility, creating a standout choice for players who value control and spin. This 7-ply all-wood blade is crafted in Japan, featuring Kiso Hinoki outer plies that deliver a soft touch and excellent ball feedback. Positioned as an OFF- blade that leans towards ALL+, it offers a forgiving playing experience ideal for developing players and those prioritizing feel and precision. Its balanced construction ensures good dwell time, enabling significant spin generation on serves and topspin shots, making it versatile for close-to-the-table play and mid-distance rallies.
Septear Lead is a 7-ply all-wood blade with Kiso Hinoki as the outer plies. The inner plies are not specified in available sources, but the construction emphasizes the soft feel and control provided by the Hinoki wood. This all-wood construction is typical for blades focusing on feel and dwell time.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Septear Lead offers a moderate to moderately high speed, classified as OFF- to ALL+. While not a speed-demon blade, it provides sufficient pace for offensive play, especially when paired with faster rubbers. Its speed is well-balanced with control, making it suitable for players who rely on placement and spin rather than raw power.
Control is a major strength of the Septear Lead. The soft Hinoki outer plies and the overall all-wood construction contribute to a high level of feedback and predictability. This allows for precise placement on serves, controlled blocks, and effective short game play, making it very forgiving for intermediate players.
Septear Lead is described as having a soft feeling, largely due to its Kiso Hinoki outer plies. This provides a good dwell time and a connected feel to the ball, allowing players to impart significant spin. While some may find it slightly hollow or less 'woody' than other all-wood blades, the overall sensation is one of good feedback and sensitivity.
The combination of its construction and Hinoki outer plies tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for generating spinny, arcing shots, especially with topspin loops.
The blade's construction, particularly the Hinoki outer plies, provides a good amount of dwell time. This allows the rubber to grip the ball effectively, enabling players to generate substantial spin on serves and topspin shots. This is beneficial for close-to-the-table players and those engaging in mid-distance rallies.
With a rating of 3.6 for stiffness, the blade is on the softer side of medium. It offers a degree of flex that aids in dwell time and spin generation, but it remains firm enough for offensive strokes. This flexibility contributes to its controlled feel.
Septear Lead is noted for low vibration, contributing to its controlled feel and comfort during play. The use of quality wood and construction techniques minimizes unpleasant buzzing, allowing for a clean transfer of energy to the ball.
Nittaku is known for its high-quality manufacturing, and the Septear Lead is no exception. Players report excellent construction with smooth edges and a well-finished appearance, contributing to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Technology
Nittaku Septear Lead is a testament to traditional Japanese craftsmanship in table tennis blade manufacturing. As an all-wood, 7-ply construction, it focuses on harnessing the natural properties of Kiso Hinoki, a premium cypress wood known for its distinctive feel, resilience, and subtle aroma. Nittaku's expertise in wood selection and bonding techniques is evident in the blade's balanced characteristics. While not featuring composite materials, the blade's design prioritizes exceptional control and dwell time, enabling players to generate significant spin. Its construction aims to provide a forgiving yet capable platform for developing players looking to refine their technique and offensive capabilities, embodying Nittaku's philosophy of offering high-quality, player-centric equipment.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Septear (Original)
The original Nittaku Septear is an all-Hinoki 7-ply blade, generally considered more offensive (OFF) with a harder feel compared to the Septear Lead's OFF-/ALL+ classification and softer feel. While both blades leverage Hinoki's properties, the Septear Lead is designed for enhanced control and dwell, making it more suitable for players who prioritize feel and spin, whereas the original Septear offers more direct power.
Yasaka Sweden Classic
Yasaka Sweden Classic is a popular 5-ply all-wood blade known for its excellent control and feel, often recommended for developing players. It shares the Septear Lead's focus on all-wood construction and player development. However, the Septear Lead's 7-ply structure and Hinoki outer plies typically provide a softer feel, greater dwell time, and potentially more spin-oriented capabilities compared to the Sweden Classic's more direct and faster response.