V-8 Carbon

Weight

85g

Thickness

5.7mm

Plies

7-ply

Handles

FL / ST

Material

Hybrid

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Sword

V-8 Carbon

China

Sword V-8 Carbon is a hybrid offensive blade that masterfully blends wood's natural feel with carbon fiber's explosive power. Its 7-ply construction creates a large sweet spot and a surprisingly flexible response for a carbon blade, offering a balanced mix of speed for powerful attacks and control for spin-oriented play. Lightweight and well-balanced, it provides excellent agility for fast-paced rallies, making it a compelling choice for attacking players who don't want to sacrifice precision.

7-Ply Construction

The blade uses a symmetrical 7-ply construction with carbon layers sandwiched between wood. Outer Koto layers provide a crisp feel and spin potential. The inner sequence of Carbon, Hinoki, Kiri (core), Hinoki, and Carbon creates a flexible core system that adds speed and stiffness while maintaining a softer touch and enhanced dwell time.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.0

Sword V-8 Carbon delivers impressive speed perfectly suited for offensive play, providing significant pace for loops and attacks from various distances. While it's a fast blade, our testing shows it may not reach the absolute peak velocity of some stiffer, all-carbon alternatives on the hardest direct shots. For the vast majority of offensive rallies and spin-oriented attacks, it offers more than enough power to dominate points.

Control
7.5

Despite its offensive pedigree, the V-8 Carbon excels in control, a trait players consistently praise. This is largely due to its large, forgiving sweet spot and the softer, more connected feel it provides compared to typical carbon blades. This combination makes it remarkably manageable, allowing for precise ball placement and confident execution of spin-heavy shots, even for intermediate players developing their attacking game.

Feel
Medium-Soft
SoftMedium-SoftHard

A defining characteristic of the V-8 Carbon is its medium-soft feel, which is notably softer than many carbon blades. This creates a more connected, less jarring sensation on contact, providing excellent ball feedback and a comfortable playing experience that enhances touch and spin sensitivity.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

This offensive hybrid typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This characteristic is ideal for powerful looping and driving, providing a natural arc that helps the ball clear the net with safety while maintaining aggressive speed and spin.

Dwell Time
7.5

The blade offers a moderate dwell time, thanks to its wood plies and softer feel. This allows the ball to sink into the blade surface slightly longer, which is excellent for generating heavy spin on loops and serves while still maintaining enough responsiveness for quick counter-attacks and blocks.

Flexibility
7.0

Sword V-8 Carbon possesses a good degree of flexibility, especially when compared to the rigid nature of many carbon blades. This flex contributes directly to its dwell time, spin potential, and softer overall feel, making it a more accessible and dynamic option for players accustomed to the liveliness of wood blades.

Vibration
6.0

Vibrations are well-moderated, contributing to a comfortable and controlled feel. The blade's inherent flexibility and potential use of vibration-dampening construction techniques help filter out harsh feedback, resulting in a clean, solid sensation on impact without being numb.

Quality
8.0

The Sword V-8 Carbon demonstrates very good manufacturing quality. Its consistent performance and enduring presence in the market point to reliable construction and durability. Players report solid craftsmanship, and the blade's ability to maintain its playing characteristics over time reinforces its reputation as a well-made piece of equipment from a trusted brand.

Technology

Sword V-8 Carbon leverages the brand's expertise in advanced composite construction. While specific patents for this model aren't detailed, it embodies Sword's technological philosophy, which includes exploring specialized fiber composites for a balance of elasticity and control. General advancements like potential NRF foam filling for vibration reduction and nano-glue upgrades for superior layer bonding contribute to the blade's performance, ensuring a flat, consistent hitting surface and a robust blend of speed, control, and tactile feedback.

Similar Blades

Butterfly Viscaria

The Sword V-8 Carbon is often discussed alongside blades like the Butterfly Viscaria due to their shared hybrid wood-carbon philosophy. Both are designed to deliver offensive power without sacrificing control or feel. The Viscaria uses an arylate-carbon composite for its unique blend of speed, vibration dampening, and elasticity, a concept similar to how the V-8 Carbon utilizes its carbon plies to boost performance while preserving a connected, manageable playing experience.