Weight
85g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
158x151
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Offensive Classic Carbon
Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon evolves the legendary Offensive Classic for the modern attacker. This hybrid blade integrates thin carbon layers into its 7-ply construction, delivering a noticeable boost in power and stability for aggressive drives and smashes. It masterfully retains the excellent ball feedback and dwell time of its wood-based predecessor, creating a versatile tool perfect for players who blend raw power with spin-oriented finesse to dominate close-to-the-table rallies.
This symmetrical 7-ply (5 wood + 2 carbon) construction features an outer layer of Koto, followed by a thin carbon layer, Limba, an Ayous core, and then mirroring Limba, carbon, and Koto. This design aims to deliver the speed and stiffness of carbon while preserving the feel and dwell time associated with wood.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
The integrated carbon layers provide a substantial speed increase over the original all-wood version. This translates to powerful drives and explosive smashes, giving players the extra pace needed for a dominant, close-to-the-table offensive style. It's a potent tool for those looking to add more firepower to their attacks.
Despite its offensive nature and carbon construction, this blade retains a high level of control. The well-balanced blend of wood and carbon offers good feel and dwell time, enabling precise ball placement and controlled execution across a wide range of strokes, from looping to blocking.
The feel presents a blend of crisp feedback from the carbon and underlying flexibility from the wood plies. This creates a responsive touch that allows players to sense the ball effectively for controlled shot-making, though some find it stiffer than pure wood blades.
The combination of wood and carbon in its construction tends to produce a medium-high throw angle, which is advantageous for generating effective topspin and clearing the net comfortably on loop shots.
It offers very good dwell time, facilitating effective spin generation on loops and topspins. The wood plies, particularly Limba and Ayous, help the ball sink into the blade, enhancing grip and spin potential.
The blade exhibits a moderate level of flexibility. The carbon adds structural stiffness, but the wood plies introduce a degree of flex, which aids in ball control and spin generation. It avoids being overly rigid, helping maintain good touch.
Feedback from the blade is noticeable; some players interpret it as a distinct vibration from the carbon, while others describe it more as a pleasant elasticity or feedback. This characteristic can vary based on rubber pairing and personal sensitivity.
Crafted with Stiga's renowned attention to detail, the Offensive Classic Carbon is noted for its durability and solid finish. The integration of carbon contributes to overall blade stability and longevity, making it a reliable and consistent performer for intensive play.
Technology
Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon builds upon the classic Offensive Classic by strategically integrating two thin layers of carbon fiber into its construction. This technology is designed to enhance power and stability, providing the modern attacker with increased speed and a larger sweet spot. The core philosophy is to balance the stiffness and pace offered by carbon with the dwell time and nuanced feedback inherent to traditional wood plies, creating a blade suited for powerful yet controlled offensive play.
Similar Blades
Stiga Offensive Classic
The original all-wood Stiga Offensive Classic is the direct predecessor and a natural alternative for players who prefer a pure wood feel. It offers excellent control and a softer, more flexible touch but lacks the added speed and power provided by the carbon layers in the Carbon version. It's an excellent choice for developing players or those who prioritize maximum feel and flexibility.
Butterfly Viscaria
Butterfly Viscaria is a highly regarded offensive carbon blade known for its speed, control, and distinct feel, making it popular at advanced levels. While the Viscaria is often considered a premium and potentially faster option, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon offers a comparable hybrid construction philosophy, serving as a more accessible alternative for players seeking similar power-with-control characteristics.