Weight
83g
Thickness
8mm
Plies
3-ply
Head Size
157x152
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
APOLLO FL-3 Ply Cypress
PP Apollo FL-3 Ply Cypress is a high-performance offensive blade designed for players seeking a powerful yet manageable weapon. Its three-ply construction of Japanese Kiso Hinoki and American Cypress delivers a unique, direct hitting sensation with a crisp sound. This OFF+ speed blade provides the raw power for aggressive loops and drives while maintaining commendable control, making it suitable for developing attackers who have built a solid technical foundation. The all-wood build offers a distinct feel and good spin potential for a rewarding playing experience.
This 3-ply construction utilizes Japanese Kiso Hinoki on the outer layers for a crisp feel and good spin potential. A thicker, harder American Cypress core sits in the middle, designed to enhance speed and elasticity for powerful, direct shots.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
With an OFF+ rating, PP Apollo FL-3 Ply Cypress is built for speed. The combination of Japanese Kiso Hinoki and a harder American Cypress core contributes to a fast and direct ball response. This makes it highly suitable for aggressive attacking play, quick counter-attacks, and powerful drives where immediate pace is crucial.
Despite its high speed, this blade offers a commendable level of control. This is attributed to its all-wood construction and the dwell time provided by the cypress plies, allowing players to place shots accurately and execute spin-oriented techniques effectively. It remains manageable for players with developed strokes.
This blade offers a stiff and direct hitting feel, characteristic of multi-ply cypress constructions. It provides clear feedback on ball contact, enabling players to feel the impact and react accordingly. Some players note it can feel quite firm with stiff rubbers, often pairing better with softer sponge options.
The blade tends to produce a lower trajectory on loops and drives, which is typical for fast, stiff constructions. This can be advantageous for executing powerful, direct attacking shots that are harder for opponents to intercept and return.
The cypress wood construction typically offers a decent dwell time, allowing for good spin generation on serves and loops. While not as long as some all-wood blades, it's sufficient for players who rely on spin to set up their attacks effectively.
This is a stiff and hard blade, indicating low flexibility. This characteristic contributes directly to its speed and directness, making it less forgiving for players who prefer a more flexible blade for absorbing power or executing very slow, controlled shots.
The feel is often described as direct and crisp. While the 8mm thickness might contribute to a solid, slightly clunky sensation for some, it is generally not described as having excessive or distracting vibration during play.
Manufactured in Taiwan, the blade is noted for its craftsmanship and use of premium cypress wood materials. The construction aims to enhance durability and performance, suggesting good overall quality for its price point, with attention to detail in the build process.
Technology
PP Apollo FL-3 Ply Cypress is crafted using a traditional three-ply wood construction, emphasizing the natural properties of Japanese Kiso Hinoki and American Cypress. The manufacturing process focuses on enhancing inherent characteristics like clean hitting pleasure and wood elasticity. Special planning and strengthening techniques are employed to mitigate the wood's natural tendency to split, ensuring greater durability and consistent performance. This meticulous approach aims to produce a blade that is both powerfully responsive and reliable for sustained aggressive play.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
While the PP Apollo is an all-wood blade, Butterfly Viscaria is a well-known composite blade that shares a similar offensive profile. Both cater to aggressive styles with speed and power. The Viscaria offers a different feel due to its carbon layers, typically providing a stiffer and faster response compared to the more traditional, direct wood feel of the Apollo.
DHS Hurricane Long 5
DHS Hurricane Long 5 is a popular composite blade that also excels in offensive play, aiming for a balance of speed and spin. It is renowned for its excellent dwell time and controllable power. The PP Apollo, being a pure 3-ply cypress blade, offers a more direct and likely stiffer feel in comparison to the Hurricane Long 5's famous wood-like sensation with composite benefits.