Weight
85g
Thickness
9mm
Plies
3-ply
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
R1
Sanwei R1 is a 3-ply all-wood offensive blade built for drag attack play. Its construction pairs two outer plies of American Hinoki with a thicker Kongno core, delivering a blend of inherent speed and power. This design provides good dwell time for spin generation while maintaining the pace needed for aggressive shots. Primarily offered with a Japanese Penhold handle, it caters to players seeking a fast, direct, and responsive blade for an attacking style.
The blade features a symmetrical 3-ply construction with American Hinoki as the outer layers and a thicker Kongno wood core. This layout aims to blend the speed and feel of Hinoki with the power and stiffness of the central ply.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Sanwei R1 delivers high speed, a characteristic driven by its 3-ply all-wood construction and the use of fast-responding Hinoki outer plies. This design is tailored for aggressive, drag-attack play, providing the quick ball acceleration offensive players demand.
Despite its speed-oriented nature, the R1 maintains a solid level of control. Its all-wood construction offers a predictable and manageable ball response, allowing for good shot placement and varied strokes even during fast rallies.
The combination of Hinoki and Kongno in a 3-ply structure produces a medium-hard feel. This provides a direct, crisp response with clear feedback, letting you feel the ball contact distinctly.
Sanwei R1 produces a medium-high throw angle, which complements its offensive nature. This trajectory is ideal for powerful looping and attacking shots over the net.
The Hinoki outer plies contribute a decent dwell time, enabling effective spin generation on loops and serves. However, the blade's focus on speed and its 3-ply stiffness prevent it from achieving the extreme dwell of softer, more flexible designs.
The blade is on the stiffer side, a result of its 3-ply construction geared for speed. This limited flexibility contributes to a fast, direct response and efficient power transfer for offensive shots.
Vibration is moderate, typical for a 3-ply all-wood blade with dense outer plies. It provides a balanced feel that is neither overly dampened nor harsh, offering good tactile feedback on impact.
Our community feedback indicates the Sanwei R1 offers good quality for its value. Players describe it as a well-built blade with satisfactory materials, making it a reliable and appealing option for its intended offensive purpose.
Technology
Sanwei R1 employs a classic 3-ply all-wood construction, a proven method for creating fast, responsive blades. The specific material choice—American Hinoki for the outer plies and Kongno for the core—is engineered to optimize speed and power. This straightforward approach leverages the natural properties of the woods to achieve offensive performance without relying on synthetic fibers, resulting in a blade with a clear, traditional character.
Similar Blades
Sanwei R2
Sanwei R2 is another 3-ply blade from the same series, often discussed alongside the R1. It is generally perceived as a very fast and powerful option, with player feedback suggesting it may offer a step up in raw speed and overall offensive performance.
Sanwei R3
Sanwei R3 is also a 3-ply blade from Sanwei. Player reports indicate it is a very fast and powerful blade that also scores high in control, presenting itself as a balanced yet potent offensive alternative with strong all-around characteristics.