Weight
89g
Thickness
6.4mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
V1 Carbon
Stiga V1 Carbon is a high-performance offensive blade built for players who demand exceptional speed and power. Its hybrid 7-ply construction combines wood with carbon fiber layers to create a stiff, responsive feel ideal for aggressive attacking. The blade delivers a perfect balance of explosive speed and surprising control, making it a top choice for powerful loop drives and fast attacks near the table. Its low throw angle and direct feedback cater to advanced players looking to dominate rallies with precise, high-velocity shots.
This 7-ply construction features an outer limba wood layer, followed by a carbon fiber layer, three central ayous wood plies, another carbon fiber layer, and an inner limba wood layer. This combination is designed to provide the stiffness and speed of carbon while retaining some of the feel and control associated with wood, with the ayous core contributing to overall balance and responsiveness.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
V1 Carbon is renowned for its explosive speed. The integrated carbon layers significantly stiffen the blade and amplify power transfer, resulting in very fast ball acceleration. This makes it an excellent choice for aggressive players who rely on powerful drives and sharp counter-attacks to pressure opponents.
Despite its high-speed nature, V1 Carbon offers a commendable level of control for a carbon-infused blade. Players report good touch for the short game and adequate control for looping and flipping. The blade's low throw angle contributes to more predictable trajectories, though those transitioning from softer blades may need an adaptation period.
The blend of wood and carbon gives the V1 Carbon a medium-hard feel. The carbon provides stiffness and a direct response, while the wood plies, particularly the central ayous core, help moderate the stiffness and offer discernible feedback upon ball contact.
V1 Carbon possesses a characteristically low throw angle. This trait benefits aggressive players by enabling flatter, faster attacking shots and making counter-looping more intuitive. It also helps in controlling powerful strokes, preventing shots from sailing long due to the blade's inherent speed.
While primarily a speed-oriented blade, V1 Carbon offers decent dwell time, allowing players to impart significant spin on their shots, especially with the right rubber combination. Many players find it can generate good spin on loops, indicating the ball stays on the blade long enough for effective spin transfer.
V1 Carbon is a stiff blade due to its carbon fiber layers. This stiffness is crucial for its high-speed capabilities and direct power transfer. It offers less flexibility compared to all-wood blades, a characteristic preferred by players who utilize powerful strokes and require a stable, unwavering platform.
The carbon layers contribute to a stiffer feel, which generally translates to lower levels of unwanted vibration. Players often describe a direct and crisp feedback—a clear sensation of ball contact rather than a mushy or overly dampened feel.
Players generally perceive the V1 Carbon to be well-constructed with quality materials, contributing to its noted perfect balance. The integration of carbon and wood layers appears well-executed, resulting in a durable and reliable blade that performs consistently for its intended offensive purpose.
Technology
Stiga V1 Carbon utilizes a 5+2 ply construction, merging five wood layers with two carbon fiber layers. This design is engineered to maximize speed and stiffness, delivering a direct and powerful feel for aggressive play. The carbon layers widen the sweet spot and boost overall ball velocity. Some versions may incorporate WRB technology, which hollows the handle to optimize the sweet spot and enhance the blade's balance and speed. The blade is fundamentally designed for fast attacking play, particularly excelling in loop drives, and is noted for its perfect balance and significant power output.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ma Lin
Ma Lin was noted to have used the Stiga Carbon King V1 WRB during the 2001 professional tour, indicating the blade was considered capable of high-level play. Its design suited his aggressive, all-around game that relied on powerful forehand attacks and strong looping, with the WRB technology in some versions aligning with Stiga's focus on optimizing balance and speed for top competitors.
Similar Blades
Stiga OC CR
TTSensei experts note a comparison between the V1 Carbon and the Stiga OC CR, suggesting similarities in overall shape and wood composition. The V1 Carbon can be viewed as offering the core characteristics of the OC CR but with the added speed, stiffness, and direct response provided by its carbon fiber layers.