Weight
82g
Thickness
6.7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
160x148
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Tenaly Feruku
Nittaku Tenaly Feruku is an offensive blade designed for players who want a distinct combination of power and control. Its 3+2 construction uses soft Japanese Hinoki outer plies for a pleasant feel and inner Kevlar layers that add stiffness and significant speed during powerful strokes. This creates a hybrid playing experience, blending the directness of a carbon blade with the nuanced touch of wood. The unique ergonomic handle is shaped for a more natural grip, aiming to improve comfort and control for both shakehand and penhold players. It represents Nittaku's innovative approach to blade design for aggressive play.
The blade features a 3+2 construction with soft Hinoki wood on the outer plies, providing good feel and spin potential. Sandwiched between the Hinoki and the core are two layers of Kevlar, which add significant stiffness, speed, and power, especially during aggressive shots. This combination creates a hybrid blade that balances touch with direct power.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Tenaly Feruku delivers impressive speed, thanks to its Kevlar layers combined with Hinoki outer plies. This construction allows for a significant increase in pace, particularly on harder swings and drives. Players report it excels in aggressive, offensive play, with a fast ball exit that supports powerful shots without losing consistency.
Despite its high speed, Tenaly Feruku offers a commendable level of control. The softer Hinoki outer plies contribute to a more controlled feel on slower shots and during blocking. For an offensive blade of this caliber, it manages to balance power with predictability, making it manageable for intermediate to advanced players who value precision.
Tenaly Feruku offers a unique blend of feel: the outer Hinoki plies provide a softer surface sensation on slow to medium shots, while the Kevlar layers introduce stiffness and directness on harder impacts. This creates a medium-hard touch that combines the nuances of wood with the solid feedback of composite materials.
The combination of soft outer plies for spin and stiff Kevlar for speed produces a medium-high throw angle. This supports aggressive looping with a good arc, while the directness ensures efficient power transfer, ideal for offensive play from mid-distance.
The soft Hinoki outer plies contribute to a moderate dwell time, allowing for good spin generation on serves and loops. However, the stiff Kevlar layers reduce overall dwell compared to all-wood blades, leading to a faster ball exit and more direct shots, which is typical for hybrid constructions.
Tenaly Feruku is characterized by its stiffness, largely due to the Kevlar plies. While the Hinoki outer plies offer some flexibility, the reinforced core structure makes the blade not overly flexible, contributing to its speed and directness for powerful strokes.
Kevlar layers dampen vibrations to some extent, giving a solid feel, but the stiffness of the construction transmits more direct feedback than very soft blades. This results in a medium vibration level—less dampened than pure wood but not as harsh as some extremely stiff carbon blades.
Nittaku is renowned for high-quality Japanese craftsmanship, and Tenaly Feruku reflects this with excellent build quality, material selection, and attention to detail. While some players note minor finish variations, the general perception is of a well-constructed, durable blade that stands up to rigorous play.
Technology
Nittaku Tenaly Feruku utilizes a specialized 3+2 ply construction, integrating two layers of Kevlar within a three-ply wood structure. This design leverages the elasticity and softness of Japanese Hinoki wood on the outer plies for feel and spin, while the Kevlar layers provide enhanced stiffness, speed, and a powerful sound on impact. The blade also features Nittaku's distinctive 'Tenaly' ergonomic handle, uniquely shaped to offer a more natural grip, aiming to create an extension of the player's arm and wrist for improved comfort and control. This blend of traditional woodcraft and modern composite materials delivers distinct playing characteristics.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Photino
Players often compare Tenaly Feruku to Butterfly Photino due to similar constructions with outer Hinoki plies over composite layers (Kevlar vs. Zylon). However, our testing shows Feruku tends to be faster and stiffer, lacking some of the controlled power and flexibility found in Photino, indicating a different execution of the hybrid concept.