Weight
86.5g
Thickness
6mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
162x155
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Head-Heavy
Ultra Carbon Def
Spinlord Ultra Carbon DEF is a modern defensive blade that masterfully blends control with offensive potential. Its hybrid construction features thin carbon layers within a wood core, creating a unique medium-soft feel that provides excellent touch for chops and blocks while delivering enough speed for decisive counter-attacks. The oversized head expands the sweet spot, offering remarkable stability and forgiveness, making it ideal for players who utilize disruptive rubbers like long pips or anti-spin. This blade is engineered for the contemporary defender who demands versatility, seamlessly transitioning from solid defense to opportunistic offense without sacrificing feel.
This 5+2 construction features a symmetrical build with Limba outer plies for spin-friendly elasticity, Koto intermediate layers for crispness, and an Ayous core for lightness and feel. Two thin carbon fiber layers are embedded within the stack, adding speed and structural stiffness without overwhelming the wood's natural playing characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
With a speed rating of 7.5, this blade sits comfortably above traditional defensive blades yet remains firmly within a controllable range. The integrated thin carbon layers provide a crisp 'snap' that empowers effective counter-attacks and fast shots when needed. Our testing shows it avoids the excessive, unpredictable speed of some carbon blades, ensuring players can maintain consistency in both defensive and offensive phases of the game.
Control is where the Ultra Carbon DEF truly excels, earning a near-perfect score. This exceptional command stems from its defensive DNA, the forgiving oversized head, and its overall soft, sensitive feel. Players report outstanding precision for placing defensive shots and remarkable stability for blocks and chops, giving you immense confidence to execute your game plan with accuracy.
Despite the carbon reinforcement, the blade delivers a surprisingly soft and sensitive feel. It retains much of the natural feedback and elasticity associated with high-quality wood, which is crucial for touch shots, precise blocks, and generating spin with feel.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, especially when engaging in powerful offensive strokes. This creates a good arc on topspin loops, allowing for effective attacking from mid-distance and helping to clear the net with margin for safety.
The blade offers a good dwell time, allowing the ball to stay on the racket face a fraction longer. This characteristic is beneficial for loading the ball with spin on loops and serves, and it provides extra time for controlled execution of defensive strokes like chops.
It exhibits a medium level of flexibility. The carbon layers add a foundational stiffness for power transfer, but the overall design retains enough flex to aid in spin generation and provide that crucial soft touch for defensive play, preventing it from feeling board-like.
Vibration is rated as medium-low. The construction, including potential handle dampening, effectively reduces harsh feedback. This results in a comfortable, muted feel that is easier on the arm during long sessions, which is appreciated by many defensive players.
The build quality receives consistent praise for its durability and performance consistency. It utilizes quality woods and carbon materials assembled with precision, resulting in a blade that feels solid and reliable. Unlike some budget composite options, it maintains structural integrity and offers a uniform response across the racket face, forgiving minor technical imperfections during play.
Technology
The core technology revolves around the integration of an ultra-thin, high-modulus carbon fiber layer. This 'ultra-thin carbon' approach is engineered to deliver the classic carbon benefits—increased speed, a stiffer hitting feel, and a larger sweet spot—while meticulously avoiding the common pitfalls of harshness and numbed feedback. The carbon is strategically placed to amplify power for attacks while preserving the natural flex and sensitivity of the wood plies (Limba, Koto, Ayous). Newer versions also feature solid Hinoki wood handles, which are noted for improving overall feel and stability, particularly beneficial for players using disruptive material setups.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Denis Kalachevskiy
Denis Kalachevskiy has tested the blade, noting that while it lacked the ultimate speed for his primary offensive game, he found its defensive capabilities with long pips on the backhand to be superior to his regular setup. This highlights the blade's exceptional suitability for players who prioritize a disruptive backhand while maintaining a potent forehand attack.
Fabian Åkerström
Fabian Åkerström's usage in demonstrations underscores the blade's appeal at a high level for modern defensive play. His gameplay showcases its effectiveness when paired with a long-pip backhand and an offensive forehand rubber, emphasizing its role in a strategy built on consistent disruption paired with sharp counter-attacking opportunities.
Similar Blades
Spinlord Ultra Carbon
The standard Spinlord Ultra Carbon is essentially the same blade in terms of core construction and technology, with the key difference being a standard-sized head instead of the oversized DEF version. It serves as the direct alternative for players who desire the unique Ultra Carbon feel and performance but prefer a more conventional racket head size.
Victas Koji Matsushita ZC
The Victas Koji Matsushita ZC is often discussed as a comparable high-end defensive blade. While it shares an emphasis on control and is suitable for defensive play, it typically features a different carbon integration (Zylon/Carbon) and comes at a higher price point, offering a distinct, potentially crisper feel for players exploring options.