Weight
85g
Thickness
7.2mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Black Carbon
Tibhar Black Carbon is an offensive blade engineered for aggressive speed and acceleration, developed with input from Chinese and Korean specialists. Its novel carbon concept optimizes speed for players who have moved away from speed glue, offering extreme acceleration for powerful topspins, counter-loops, and fast offensive strokes. The dexterous, lightweight design aims to compensate for any perceived speed loss, making it a strong complement to high-tech rubbers like SPI and D.TecS for players seeking a potent attacking weapon.
This 7-ply 5+2 construction features outer Koto wood layers for feel and spin, followed by carbon layers for stiffness and speed, with an Ayous core for balance, creating a hybrid design optimized for offensive capabilities.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Black Carbon is consistently rated as an extremely fast blade, with carbon layers significantly boosting acceleration and power for aggressive attacking play. This speed is a primary feature designed to compensate for modern non-VOC glues, making it ideal for players who rely on direct power and fast strokes from mid-distance.
While offering high speed, control is more moderate due to stiffness and speed reducing feel, especially for players with less refined techniques. It can be challenging for beginners and intermediates, often requiring softer rubbers to regain some control and maintain consistency in offensive play.
Black Carbon is consistently described as stiff and hard due to carbon layers that reduce vibration and dampen natural wood feel. This provides power and speed but can lessen tactile connection with the ball, making it harder to sense spin and dwell during play.
The combination of stiffness, speed, and carbon placement suggests a medium-high throw angle, launching the ball upwards with significant pace to facilitate aggressive looping and attacking shots from mid-distance.
Due to its stiff, hard construction with carbon layers, dwell time is relatively short as the ball doesn't sink deeply into the blade. This can make generating heavy spin on serves and slower strokes more challenging, favoring players who rely on direct power over spin-heavy techniques.
Firmly in the stiff category, carbon plies create a rigid structure minimizing flex, which contributes to high speed and direct hitting sensation. This stiffness benefits powerful drives and smashes but limits ability to absorb energy for soft game maneuvers like pushes and chops.
Carbon layers dampen vibrations, leading to moderate feedback that some players appreciate for direct feel and power, while others miss the pronounced feedback of all-wood blades. It's not excessively high but offers a balanced sensation for offensive play.
Build quality is generally good with emphasis on durability, though some users note minor surface finish issues affecting glue adhesion. The lightweight construction and carbon aesthetic are appreciated, making it a reliable choice for advanced players seeking a well-crafted offensive blade.
Technology
Tibhar Black Carbon utilizes a 'brand new carbon concept' integrating carbon layers to enhance speed and acceleration, developed with specialists from China and Korea. This construction aims to provide power similar to older speed-glued setups without the glue, optimizing speed for offensive play. It's designed as an ideal complement to high-tech rubber technologies like SPI and D.TecS, focusing on maximizing acceleration and power for aggressive players.
Similar Blades
Tibhar MK Carbon
Tibhar MK Carbon shares similar characteristics with a focus on offensive play and carbon construction, offering a refined feel that some players compare favorably to other high-performance blades. While not a direct alternative, it provides a comparable Tibhar option for those seeking carbon-enhanced speed and power.