ORCA 8

Weight

84g

Thickness

6.7mm

Plies

7-ply

Head Size

150x157

Handles

ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Custom

Balance

Balanced

Pp

ORCA 8

2022

PP ORCA 8 Octagon is a distinctive 7-ply all-wood offensive blade featuring a unique octagonal head shape. This design expands the sweet spot and shifts the center of gravity outward, aiming to enhance centrifugal force and fault tolerance. Crafted with Limba outer plies and Ayous inner plies, it delivers a balanced blend of speed and control, offering a forgiving feel suitable for players of varying skill levels who seek power and stability in their modern offensive game.

7-Ply Construction

A symmetrical 7-ply all-wood construction featuring Limba outer plies for a responsive surface and Ayous inner plies for consistent feel and flexibility. This layering is designed to provide an optimal balance between speed and control for offensive play.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
9.1

PP ORCA 8 Octagon is designed for offensive play and delivers impressive speed, allowing for powerful shots and attacks. Its 7-ply all-wood construction contributes to this inherent pace, enabling players to generate significant force on drives and smashes without sacrificing too much control.

Control
6.3

Despite its offensive capabilities, PP ORCA 8 Octagon offers commendable control. The all-wood construction and balanced feel contribute to accurate ball placement and effective management of the short game, giving players confidence in their touch and precision during rallies.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

Players report a powerful and direct feel with good feedback, often noting a crisp sound and excellent touch for the short game. It combines the responsiveness of carbon-like blades with the familiar sensation of wood, offering a balanced tactile experience.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

The combination of powerful drives, good dwell time, and offensive design suggests a medium-high throw angle. This characteristic helps generate aggressive arcs on loops and topspins, suitable for players who favor an attacking style with plenty of spin.

Dwell Time
8.0

The all-wood construction allows for a reasonable dwell time, enabling players to impart significant spin on the ball during loops and drives. This characteristic is crucial for offensive players who rely on spin for tactical advantage and shot variation.

Flexibility
6.0

The 7-ply wood construction offers a moderate level of flexibility, striking a good balance between stiffness and bend. This flexibility contributes to both power generation and control, allowing for efficient energy transfer into the ball during powerful strokes while maintaining precision.

Vibration
6.5

PP ORCA 8 Octagon provides a noticeable feel of the ball upon impact with medium vibration levels. It offers a tactile connection that helps players gauge their shots effectively without being excessively jarring or uncomfortable during play.

Quality
8.5

This blade is generally regarded as having good build quality for its price range. The materials and construction feel solid and reliable, providing consistent performance that satisfies many users looking for a durable and well-made offensive option.

Technology

PP ORCA 8 Octagon's primary innovation is its unique octagonal head shape. This design optimizes the sweet spot by expanding its surface area and altering weight distribution, pushing the center of gravity outward. Theoretically, this increases centrifugal force to enhance power and stability while improving fault tolerance on off-center hits. Combined with a 7-ply all-wood construction using Limba outer layers and Ayous inner plies, the technology aims to balance speed, control, and feel for aggressive offensive play.

Similar Blades

Butterfly Viscaria

Players often compare PP ORCA 8 Octagon to the Butterfly Viscaria, noting similar power and feel characteristics. Many find it serves as a more affordable alternative that delivers a comparable playing experience to this highly regarded hybrid carbon blade, especially for offensive styles.