Weight
62g
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Handle-Heavy
Wonder Blade
Nittaku Wonder Blade is a lightweight offensive table tennis blade designed for players who prioritize maneuverability and quick acceleration. Its defining characteristic is an exceptionally low weight, often around 62 grams, which makes it highly responsive for fast strokes. However, this ultra-light construction can lead to a lack of solid feel and noticeable vibration, creating a unique and polarizing playing experience. It's best suited for attackers who can adapt to its distinct characteristics and value speed over mass.
It features a 5-ply all-wood construction. The specific types of wood used in each layer are not publicly detailed, which is part of the design approach to achieve its signature ultra-lightweight characteristic.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Players report a speed rating of 7.7, driven primarily by the blade's ultra-lightweight design that enables very fast acceleration. The low mass allows for quick swings, but the overall power transfer can feel inconsistent. The lack of solidity sometimes means the ball doesn't catapult off the blade with the expected force, making the speed more dependent on a perfect, aggressive stroke rather than inherent power.
Our analysis suggests the control is optimistic for most players. The extreme lightness and pronounced vibration make precise touch challenging, especially for short game finesse and passive blocks. The blade lacks the stable, dampened feel that fosters confidence in control-oriented shots, so players seeking a solid platform for placement might find it lacking.
The feel is best described as medium, but it's heavily influenced by its defining traits. The core sensation is often overshadowed by significant vibration and a lack of solidity upon impact. Many users characterize it as feeling hollow or insubstantial, which can make precise touch difficult to achieve consistently.
The throw angle is estimated to be medium-high, aligning with its offensive design philosophy. It's suited for aggressive, looping play. However, the inconsistent feel and vibration can make the actual trajectory less predictable than on more stable blades with similar intended characteristics.
With a dwell time rating of 5.7, it offers a moderate contact period typical for offensive blades. However, the high vibration and light feel can disrupt the smooth ball-pocketing sensation, making the dwell time feel less effective and consistent for generating spin compared to more stable blades.
Flexibility is medium, estimated around a 6. User reports of being able to bend the blade by hand indicate it has some give. However, this flex is not the controlled, energy-storing type; it contributes more to the overall feeling of instability and vibration rather than enhancing spin.
Vibration is high, rated around an 8. This is a direct consequence of the ultra-lightweight construction, which lacks the mass and density to dampen oscillations. The pronounced feedback can be distracting and is frequently cited as a major drawback affecting both control and overall playing comfort.
Perceived quality is average, around a 5. The primary design goal of achieving ultra-low weight appears to compromise other aspects. Widespread user feedback describes a hollow, vibratory feel and a lack of structural solidity, which suggests material or construction choices were made to prioritize lightness over a premium, robust playing sensation.
Technology
Nittaku Wonder Blade's core technology is its pursuit of extreme lightness through specialized wood selection and construction techniques for a 5-ply all-wood build. By minimizing mass, often to around 62 grams, the design prioritizes maximum maneuverability and hand speed. This engineering choice fundamentally shapes the playing experience, creating a blade that excels in acceleration but makes significant concessions in stability, vibration dampening, and solid feel, resulting in a uniquely polarizing piece of equipment.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Senior Champion Lady
Anecdotal reports mention a senior champion-level female player who hits powerfully and loves the blade. This highlights that despite its challenging characteristics, players with specific, well-adapted techniques can find great success and enjoyment with its unique lightweight and fast-handling properties.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Acoustic
For players intrigued by Nittaku's wood blades but seeking more stability, the Nittaku Acoustic is a premier alternative. Also a 5-ply all-wood blade, it is renowned for its excellent feel, controlled power, and much more solid, vibration-dampened impact. It represents a classic, high-quality offensive wood blade without the extreme lightness trade-offs of the Wonder Blade.
Nittaku Violin
The Nittaku Violin, part of the brand's musical instrument series, offers another path. This 5-ply all-wood blade is generally slower and offers more control than the Acoustic, with a superb, sensitive feel. It's an excellent choice for players who find the Wonder Blade too unstable and vibratory, and who want a blade that prioritizes touch and consistency over raw speed.