A1

Weight

83g

Thickness

6.3mm

Plies

5-ply

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Palio

A1

China

Palio A1 is a 5-ply all-wood offensive blade that masterfully blends speed with control, making it an ideal choice for developing players. Its classic construction delivers a direct, responsive feel and excellent feedback, helping you refine your technique on powerful drives and precise placements. Known for its solid build and exceptional value, this versatile blade supports your progression through the intermediate stages with reliable, consistent performance.

5-Ply Construction

Palio A1 features a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood construction. Outer Koto plies provide hardness and a direct feel for powerful shots and spin generation. Inner Ayous plies offer flexibility and speed balance, while the Kiri core keeps the blade lightweight and adds a solid foundation for control. This layered approach creates a traditional wood blade feel with an offensive edge.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.0

Palio A1 delivers good offensive speed, rated in the Off to Off+ range. Its 5-ply construction with harder outer veneers enables powerful drives and loops. While it doesn't match the extreme pace of composite blades, it provides ample power for executing winning shots, especially when paired with faster rubbers. Players report it offers enough speed for effective offensive play without sacrificing too much control.

Control
8.9

Control is a major strength of this blade. Its all-wood build and moderate thickness contribute to excellent ball feedback and stroke stability. This allows for accurate ball placement and confident execution of a wide range of shots. The high control rating makes it particularly suitable for players developing their game and seeking consistency in their rallies.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

Palio A1 offers a direct, somewhat hard feel thanks to its outer Koto veneers. This provides satisfying feedback on ball contact, allowing you to sense each stroke and make adjustments. While not as soft as some traditional 5-ply blades, it delivers a connected, responsive sensation that supports offensive play.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

The blade's construction and offensive orientation produce a medium-high throw angle, which helps generate powerful topspin shots with good arc. This characteristic is particularly beneficial when paired with appropriate rubbers for creating effective attacking loops.

Dwell Time
7.0

The 5-ply all-wood construction provides medium dwell time, allowing adequate ball-gripping for serves and loops to facilitate spin generation. This dwell is sufficient for developing players to learn proper brushing technique without being excessively long, which helps maintain control during fast exchanges.

Flexibility
6.0

Palio A1 offers medium flexibility that isn't overly stiff. This allows for good flex during powerful strokes, aiding spin generation and providing a more forgiving feel compared to very rigid blades. The flexibility balances well with its offensive capabilities, making it responsive without being unpredictable.

Vibration
6.0

This blade maintains a medium vibration level that provides good feedback without excessive harshness. The balanced vibration contributes to a comfortable feel during rallies and helps with consistent performance, avoiding the jarring sensations sometimes found in very stiff or fast blades.

Quality
7.5

For its price point, Palio A1 demonstrates good build quality with flawless processing. The handle fits well and the overall construction feels solid and durable. Our testing shows it's a reliable choice that offers excellent value, making it a trustworthy option for budget-conscious players who don't want to compromise on basic craftsmanship.

Technology

Palio A1 represents traditional blade craftsmanship with its classic 5-ply all-wood construction. The manufacturing focuses on carefully selecting and layering specific wood veneers to achieve an optimal balance of speed, control, and feel. While it doesn't incorporate modern composite materials, its design emphasizes the inherent qualities of wood—providing direct ball feel and consistent performance. This approach delivers core performance characteristics through proven woodworking techniques rather than advanced technological features.

Similar Blades

Yasaka Sweden Extra

Yasaka Sweden Extra is another well-regarded 5-ply all-wood blade that shares similar construction and target audience with Palio A1. Known for excellent control, good feel, and spin generation, it's also suitable for developing offensive players. Both blades offer that traditional wood feel and are often recommended as budget-friendly options for intermediate players looking to improve their game foundation.

Stiga Allround Classic

Stiga Allround Classic is a popular 5-ply all-wood blade that, while leaning slightly more toward all-round play, shares Palio A1's emphasis on control and feel. Renowned for consistency and superb ball feedback, it serves as a staple for players developing technique. Both blades provide a solid foundation for learning various strokes and are excellent choices for players who value control and classic wood sensation.