Weight
91.5g
Thickness
5.89mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Rosewood NCT V
Stiga Rosewood NCT V is a premium 5-ply all-wood blade built for aggressive, modern attacking play. It delivers an outstanding blend of speed, control, and dwell time, making it ideal for players who rely on powerful loops and fast drives. Hand-selected rosewood outer plies, enhanced by STIGA's NCT surface treatment, provide a crisp feel and boosted speed while preserving the organic touch of a pure wood blade. It excels in close-to-table rallies and precise topspin exchanges, favored by offensive players seeking natural feel with modern performance.
Rosewood NCT V features a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood construction. The outer layers are rosewood, providing a hard surface for speed and spin. These are supported by spruce wood plies, contributing to responsiveness and crisp feel. The core is Ayous, a lighter wood that helps balance the blade and offers good feel, resulting in a blade faster than many traditional 5-ply blades while retaining good dwell time and control.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Rosewood NCT V is consistently rated as a fast blade, particularly for a 5-ply all-wood construction. Our testing shows it delivers excellent speed for attacking shots, loops, and drives, with some players noting it can rival many carbon blades. The NCT technology and rosewood outer plies contribute to its responsive and powerful impact.
While praised for its speed, Rosewood NCT V also offers good control, especially for advanced players. It allows for precise placement and excellent spin generation. However, control in the short game can be slightly challenging due to its responsiveness, requiring good technique and timing. The blade's sensitivity enables precise stroke execution when handled correctly.
The feel of Rosewood NCT V is often described as medium-hard to hard, owing to the rosewood outer plies and NCT treatment. It offers a crisp and direct contact with the ball, providing good feedback. While it has good dwell time for spin, the overall sensation is more direct and less bouncy than softer blades, allowing for precise shot execution.
Rosewood NCT V is often associated with a medium-high to high throw angle, particularly for looping. This characteristic helps generate a higher arc on shots, beneficial for clearing the net and keeping the ball in play during aggressive rallies. Players need to adjust their technique to keep the ball down on some shots.
Rosewood NCT V offers good dwell time for a blade of its speed class. The all-wood construction, particularly the Ayous core and the way the rosewood outer plies engage the ball, allows sufficient time to impart spin on serves and loops, crucial for players relying on heavy topspin and controlled attacking shots.
This blade has medium flexibility. It is not overly stiff, allowing for some flex during powerful strokes which aids spin generation and feel. However, it possesses enough rigidity to support fast attacking shots and maintain stability, contributing to its versatility in different playing situations.
The vibration level is generally considered moderate. While it offers a crisp feel, it does not transmit excessive jarring vibrations, especially when paired with suitable rubbers. The NCT technology and wood composition help dampen some harsher vibrations, providing a balanced feel during play.
Rosewood NCT V is widely recognized for its high build quality, featuring premium rosewood veneers and STIGA's advanced NCT technology. Players frequently comment on its excellent craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal, and durable construction, contributing to a premium feel and long-lasting performance.
Technology
Stiga Rosewood NCT V incorporates STIGA's NCT (Nano Composite Technology) on its surface. This advanced treatment enhances performance by optimizing interaction between wood plies and rubbers. NCT technology is designed to increase the sweet spot, improve speed and power, and provide a more consistent feel and trajectory. Applied to the outer veneers, it contributes to the blade's crisp contact and overall responsiveness.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Xu Xin
Xu Xin, a renowned Chinese professional player, famously used Rosewood NCT V during his ascent to World No. 1 in early 2013. As a left-handed player known for powerful loops, exceptional control, and an aggressive all-around game, the blade's blend of speed, spin, and feel perfectly complemented his dynamic style. Its ability to generate heavy spin and maintain speed was crucial for his offensive strategy, allowing him to dominate matches and secure top rankings.
Guo Yue
Guo Yue, a former prominent Chinese women's player and world champion, was also a notable user of Rosewood NCT V. Her aggressive, all-around playing style, characterized by powerful forehand attacks and solid backhand play, benefited from the blade's speed and spin-generating capabilities. It provided her with necessary tools to execute complex shots and maintain offensive pressure against top international competition.
Similar Blades
Stiga Ebenholz NCT V
Stiga Ebenholz NCT V is often compared to Rosewood NCT V as both are part of Stiga's premium hardwood series with similar 5-ply construction. However, Ebenholz NCT V is generally described as faster, stiffer, and crisper, with a harder feel due to its ebony outer ply. Rosewood NCT V is considered slightly heavier, softer, and offers more dwell time and a slightly more flexible feel, making it more suited for players prioritizing spin and a softer touch over pure speed.
Butterfly Petr Korbel
Butterfly Petr Korbel is a classic 5-ply all-wood blade often considered a benchmark for offensive all-around play. Like Rosewood NCT V, it offers a good balance of speed and control, suitable for players developing their attacking game. However, Rosewood NCT V is generally perceived as having a harder feel and being faster overall due to its premium rosewood outer plies and NCT technology, while Petr Korbel offers a more traditional wood feel with slightly less speed but potentially more consistent control for some players.