Weight
95g
Thickness
6.1mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x151
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Ebenholz NCT VII (7)
Stiga Ebenholz NCT VII is a premium 7-ply all-wood offensive blade built for aggressive players demanding extreme speed and stiffness. Its hand-selected Ebenholz (ebony) outer plies deliver a direct, stable feel and a generous sweet spot. Enhanced by Stiga's NCT (Nano Composite Technology), it provides rapid ball rebounds and increased durability without sacrificing control. This blade excels in close-to-the-table and mid-distance play, dominating fast topspin exchanges, sharp drives, and powerful finishing attacks. Despite its offensive focus, it retains a sensitive touch for precise short-game maneuvers, making it a formidable choice for advanced, demanding players.
The blade features a unique 7-ply construction. It uses thick penultimate layers and thin ebony outer plies. The core is Ayous, with a thin wood layer inserted between the middle layer and the center, complemented by thick middle and center Ayous layers. This specific layering is fundamental to its stiffness and speed.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is renowned for its exceptional speed, a direct result of the hard Ebenholz outer plies and its stiff 7-ply construction. It provides rapid ball acceleration, allowing players to finish points decisively with powerful shots. The design is optimized for players who thrive on quick, offensive exchanges.
Control is rated as moderate to good. The blade offers a sensitive touch that aids in delicate shots and serves, but its extreme speed and stiffness demand precise technique. It can be less forgiving of errors in bat angle or timing during powerful offensive strokes, making it more suitable for players with refined skills.
Players report a very hard and stiff feel with a direct connection to the ball. Some describe a unique sensation where the ball seems to 'suck' in momentarily before catapulting off the blade, rather than a simple, hard impact.
The blade produces a medium-low throw angle, which is ideal for fast, direct shots and counter-attacks. Achieving high, arcing loop trajectories requires a more pronounced brushing technique from the player.
Due to its stiffness and fast rebound, the blade offers a medium to short dwell time. This characteristic is excellent for quick attacks but means generating heavy spin on loops requires more precise and active technique from the player.
Extreme stiffness is a defining characteristic of this blade. This lack of flexibility is a key contributor to its high speed, direct feel, and powerful offensive response.
The stiffness of the construction results in a moderate level of vibration upon impact. Some players appreciate this feedback as it provides clear sensation, while others might find it more noticeable, especially when paired with harder rubber types.
Stiga's reputation for craftsmanship is fully realized in the Ebenholz NCT VII. The use of hand-selected premium Ebenholz veneers, precise construction, and elegant design contribute to a high-quality feel and notable durability. It is consistently recognized as a well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing piece of equipment.
Technology
Stiga Ebenholz NCT VII incorporates NCT (Nano Composite Technology) and features hand-selected Ebenholz (ebony) outer plies. The NCT technology reinforces the wood structure to enhance speed and durability, resulting in faster rebounds and a larger sweet spot. The premium Ebenholz wood, known for its exceptional hardness and density, is the primary driver behind the blade's extreme speed and stiffness. This is combined with a unique 7-ply construction that further optimizes its performance for offensive play.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Chen Qi
Chen Qi, the former Chinese national team player renowned for his ferociously aggressive style, used the Stiga Ebenholz NCT VII until his retirement. The blade's extreme speed and stiffness perfectly complemented his game, which was built on overwhelming opponents with devastating forehand loops and explosive backhand drives.
Similar Blades
Stiga Rosewood NCT VII
The Stiga Rosewood NCT VII is a natural comparison as another high-quality 7-ply offensive blade from Stiga's Hardwood series. While the Ebenholz is stiffer and faster, players report the Rosewood offers a slightly softer feel with more dwell time, making it a bit more forgiving for looping. Both are excellent for aggressive play, with the choice often boiling down to a preference for ultimate stiffness versus a touch more feedback and dwell.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit
The heavier versions of the Ebenholz NCT VII share very similar characteristics with the Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit. Both are powerful, stiff offensive blades designed for aggressive players seeking speed and direct feedback. The Timo Boll Spirit is another benchmark in this category, catering to a similar player profile.