Weight
95g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Carbonado 245
Stiga Carbonado 245 is a high-performance blade built for aggressive offensive players. It leverages Stiga's proprietary TeXtreme® Spread Tow carbon fiber technology, with high-density carbon integrated at a 45-degree angle. This unique construction enhances torsional flexibility, creating a stiff yet responsive feel with a pronounced carbon character. The blade delivers exceptional speed and power, excelling in mid-distance attacking play with a wide sweet spot and a direct, high-trajectory shot. While it demands precise technique, it rewards skilled players with significant offensive advantages and powerful net clearance.
The 5+2 ply construction features outer Limba plies for a softer feel, followed by TeXtreme® carbon layers angled at 45 degrees to enhance torsional flexibility and stiffness. Three inner Ayous wood plies form the core structure, creating a combination that delivers enhanced power with a distinct carbon character while maintaining some flexibility and a higher throw angle.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Carbonado 245 is an exceptionally fast blade designed for aggressive offensive play. The high-density TeXtreme® carbon fiber and its 45-degree orientation create rapid energy transfer, resulting in outstanding speed for drives, smashes, and counter-attacks. It performs brilliantly from mid-distance, offering players a significant power advantage. This blade is built for those seeking maximum offensive output and explosive shot-making capability.
Control presents a challenge with this blade due to its extreme speed and stiffness. The rapid response makes soft touches, precise blocking, and placement shots difficult, especially for less experienced players. While pairing it with softer rubbers can improve manageability, it fundamentally demands excellent technique and footwork to harness effectively. Players report it requires adaptation and isn't forgiving of technical errors.
Carbonado 245 delivers a very stiff, hard feel due to its carbon construction and high-density fiber. Contact feels crisp and responsive with distinct carbon feedback that provides clear information about ball impact. While firm, it offers more tactile sensation than some other stiff carbon blades, giving players useful input on their shots.
This blade produces a high throw angle that makes lifting heavy backspin easier and provides good net clearance during loops. The elevated trajectory contributes to accuracy when playing against backspin and helps ensure shots land consistently on the table during aggressive attacks.
The blade's stiff nature and efficient energy transfer result in short dwell time. The ball doesn't stay on the racket long, which benefits fast attacks but can make generating heavy spin on slower shots more challenging. This quick response suits players who prefer direct, immediate feedback.
Carbonado 245 is a very stiff blade overall. While the angled carbon layers allow for some torsional flexibility, the primary characteristic is extreme stiffness ideal for powerful, direct shots rather than flexible, controlled play. This rigidity contributes to its explosive power output.
Despite its stiffness, the 45-degree carbon lay-up creates moderate vibration that provides informative feedback about ball contact. This tactile response helps players understand impact quality, though some might find it noticeable during play. The vibrations are generally considered useful rather than distracting.
Carbonado 245 showcases excellent craftsmanship with its 'Handmade in Sweden' construction. The use of premium TeXtreme® carbon fiber and quality wood plies results in a durable, well-finished blade. Attention to detail is evident throughout, contributing to a premium feel and consistent performance that reflects Stiga's high manufacturing standards.
Technology
Stiga Carbonado 245 features advanced TeXtreme® Spread Tow carbon fiber technology with fibers integrated at a 45-degree angle (X45 technology). This high-density carbon (200 g/m²) arrangement enhances torsional bendability, providing both increased flexibility and stiffness simultaneously. The unique construction creates a wider sweet spot, greater power output, and a distinct carbon feel that differentiates it from blades using conventional carbon fiber. The 'Handmade in Sweden' designation reflects the precision manufacturing behind this performance-oriented design.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Kou Lei
Kou Lei, the prominent Ukrainian table tennis player, has used Stiga Carbonado 245. This blade's high speed and aggressive capabilities align perfectly with his offensive game, allowing him to generate powerful shots and dominate rallies from various distances on the table.
Similar Blades
Stiga Carbonado 290
Carbonado 290 is the sibling blade within the same series, also featuring 200 g/m² TeXtreme® carbon but with fibers oriented at a 90-degree angle. While the 245 offers higher arc and torsional flexibility, the 290 provides a more direct trajectory and greater stiffness for even faster play. Both cater to aggressive attackers, with the 290 preferred by those seeking maximum speed and a flatter shot path.
Butterfly Viscaria
Viscaria serves as a popular benchmark for offensive composite blades. Players switching from Viscaria to Carbonado 245 often note the Carbonado offers more power from mid to long distances with a harder feel. Both are 5+2 ply constructions for attacking play, but Carbonado 245 delivers a more pronounced carbon character and potentially higher speed ceiling for players who can manage its stiffness.