IV-L Balsa

Weight

70g

Thickness

7mm

Plies

6-ply

Head Size

154x149

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Handle-Heavy

Tibhar

IV-L Balsa

Tibhar IV-L Balsa is an exceptionally lightweight all-round blade designed for players who prioritize control and ball feel. Its construction features soft Ayous outer layers and a unique Balsa and Occumé wood core, resulting in a remarkably light blade with superb touch and feedback. It's particularly well-suited for developing players, juniors, and anyone focused on precise shot placement and technique refinement. While not built for extreme power from deep positions, its excellent maneuverability and sensitivity make it a fantastic choice for close-to-medium distance play and consistent rallying.

6-Ply Construction

The blade features a symmetrical 6-ply construction with Ayous wood as the outer layers, known for its soft and fast characteristics. The core combines Balsa and Occumé wood, which contributes significantly to the blade's extremely light weight and provides a soft, sensitive feel.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
7.0

Tibhar IV-L Balsa offers a speed rating around 7.0, placing it in the ALL+ category. Its lightweight design enables quick maneuverability for fast attacking strokes at close to medium range, with the Ayous outer plies contributing a degree of pace. While not designed for maximum offensive power, it provides enough speed for active play. Players seeking heavy drives from the far court might find its power limiting compared to faster blades.

Control
9.0

Control is the standout feature of the IV-L Balsa, with ratings consistently at the high end of the scale. This exceptional control stems from its soft feel, excellent dwell time, and lightweight design, allowing for precise ball placement and easy handling. Players find it incredibly reliable for blocks, short game exchanges, and executing tactical shots, making it an ideal tool for developing consistency and technique.

Feel
Soft
SoftHard

Tibhar IV-L Balsa delivers a distinctly soft feel, primarily derived from its Balsa core and Ayous outer plies. This softness provides excellent feedback and dwell time, allowing players to clearly feel ball contact and spin. It's very forgiving and helps develop a refined touch for all types of strokes.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

The combination of soft Balsa core and Ayous outer plies produces a medium-high throw angle. This characteristic helps generate looping topspins with a good arc, allowing the ball to clear the net comfortably and land deep on the table, making it effective for topspin-heavy rallies.

Dwell Time
8.0

The soft Balsa core and Ayous wood contribute to significant dwell time, allowing the blade to hold the ball longer on contact. This extended contact period enhances spin generation and control, particularly beneficial for players focused on looping and controlled attacking shots where precise placement is key.

Flexibility
7.0

IV-L Balsa offers a medium level of flexibility. The Balsa core provides a soft touch while the Ayous outer plies add enough rigidity to support offensive strokes. This balance creates good flex during loops to enhance spin, while maintaining sufficient stability for effective blocking and hitting.

Vibration
6.0

The blade provides a medium level of vibration. While the soft Balsa core offers good feedback, the construction—particularly the Ayous outer plies—helps dampen excessive vibrations, resulting in a comfortable playing experience that communicates enough information without being harsh.

Quality
8.0

Our community feedback consistently praises the build quality and pleasant feel of the IV-L Balsa. The combination of woods results in a sturdy yet lightweight construction with a satisfying touch. While it has entry-level appeal, the craftsmanship is solid and offers good durability for its intended player base, representing strong value.

Technology

Tibhar IV-L Balsa utilizes a unique construction centered around a Balsa wood core. Balsa is known for its incredibly low density and softness, and here it's combined with Occumé wood in the core and Ayous wood for the outer plies. This specific layering achieves an exceptionally lightweight blade while maintaining sensitive touch and excellent control. The Balsa core provides a distinct feel and can exhibit some catapult effect, aiding in spin generation and ball feedback for modern all-round play.