Weight
83g
Thickness
5.8mm
Plies
7-ply
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Yokohama Yue
Sword Yokohama Yue is engineered for aggressive offensive players seeking a blend of speed and spin with excellent control. This blade bridges the gap between traditional all-wood and modern composite structures, offering a responsive feel that facilitates powerful looping and a controlled short game. Its construction prioritizes dwell time, allowing for enhanced spin generation and precise ball placement. A versatile option for players who rely on aggressive forehand loops and effective backhand drives, it provides a solid foundation for a dynamic playing style. Positioned as a high-quality, accessibly priced contender within the competitive market.
The blade features a 5-ply wood core structure (Koto/Spruce/Ayous/Spruce/Koto) with two additional reinforced fiber layers beneath the top ply. While not carbon, these layers contribute to a feel described as a compromise between carbon and wooden blades, enhancing speed and spin potential while maintaining the dwell time and control associated with traditional wood.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Sword Yokohama Yue is rated as 'Fast Medium,' indicating a speed well-suited for offensive play but not excessively fast, which allows for good control. Our testing shows it's faster than some entry-level all-wood blades but slower than more aggressive carbon composites. This balanced speed profile supports powerful loops without sacrificing the ability to manage the short game effectively.
This blade offers very good control, making it easy to execute precise shots, short game plays, and low, controlled drops. The high control rating is a significant advantage for an offensive blade, allowing players to maintain accuracy during fast exchanges and when placing spin-heavy serves and returns.
Sword Yokohama Yue provides a crisp, responsive sensation often described as a compromise between wood and carbon. It offers very good feedback and feel, giving players a solid connection to the ball that facilitates spin generation and precise placement. The touch is neither overly soft nor harsh, landing in a versatile medium range.
The combination of speed, dwell time, and spin generation suggests a medium-high throw angle. This is suitable for aggressive looping that clears the net effectively, allowing players to impart heavy topspin with good arc and safety over the net.
The blade is noted for its good dwell time, allowing players to grip the ball effectively for enhanced spin. This characteristic, attributed to its wood composition and construction, enables players to generate heavy, deceptive spin on their loops and opening attacks.
With a stiffness rating of 4, the blade falls into the medium flexibility category. This balance provides sufficient flex to generate dwell time and spin on loops, without being overly stiff, which helps maintain control and a predictable response on blocks and drives.
The blade exhibits a moderate amount of vibration upon contact, providing clear feedback to the player without being excessive. The handle and shoulders are smoothed for comfort, which helps mitigate any potential discomfort during play, resulting in a communicative yet comfortable feel.
The quality and finishing of Sword Yokohama Yue are generally regarded as good, especially considering its price point. Players report smooth handles and comfortable shoulders, indicating attention to detail in manufacturing. The build provides a solid, consistent feel that holds up well to regular play.
Technology
Sword Yokohama Yue utilizes a '5+2' layer construction, combining traditional wood plies with two additional reinforced layers that are not carbon-based. This hybrid approach aims to integrate the looping characteristics and dwell time of a 5-ply all-wood blade with the speed and power often found in 7-ply constructions. The design optimizes performance for the modern 40+ ball, focusing on a responsive feel for fast arc offense. The Yokohama Yue XI variant incorporates additional core strengthening and layer technologies for a comprehensive pure wooden board experience.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Chinese National Team Player
TTSensei experts note that the blade is reportedly used by a main national team player in China and is described as special for top-tier players. While specific names are not publicly confirmed, its association with high-level play underscores its performance credentials for aggressive, spin-oriented tactics.
Similar Blades
Stiga YEO
Stiga YEO is a frequent comparison point. While the YEO is generally considered faster and more direct in loop driving, Sword Yokohama Yue is often praised for its superior control and spin generation, especially in the short game. The YEO has a harder top ply contributing to its speed, whereas Yokohama Yue offers a softer feel and better dwell time for looping, making it a more controlled alternative.
Galaxy MC2
Sword Yokohama Yue is consistently rated as faster and offering better overall performance compared to the Galaxy MC2. The MC2 is described as having slower speed and less control, making the Yokohama Yue a clear upgrade for players seeking more offensive capabilities, spin potential, and a more responsive feel for developing an attacking game.