Weight
85g
Thickness
7.5mm
Plies
9-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Karas OFF
Tibhar Karas OFF is a distinctive 9-ply offensive blade that masterfully blends power with a surprisingly soft touch. Its unique hybrid construction, featuring four carbon layers and a balsa core, delivers excellent acceleration and speed for dictating rallies. Designed in collaboration with Aleksandar Karakasevic, this blade offers offensive players a potent weapon that combines a comfortable, connected ball feel with the ability to generate serious pace and spin, making it ideal for those who value control within an aggressive playing style.
The blade features a symmetrical 9-ply construction with a balsa wood core. The layers alternate between Limba wood and carbon fiber, creating a structure designed to blend speed with a unique, soft touch.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Karas OFF lives up to its offensive designation with a high-speed rating. The multiple carbon layers provide significant power, making it capable of explosive attacks and sustaining fast rallies. Players report it excels at generating pace when you commit to your strokes.
Despite its high speed, Karas OFF offers impressive control—a rare trait in many composite blades. This is largely due to its unique construction; the balsa core and specific layering create a softer feel and better ball feedback, allowing for precise placement and confident touch play even during powerful exchanges.
Karas OFF delivers a notably soft feel, which is unusual and appealing for a blade with multiple carbon layers. This characteristic provides a more direct and connected sensation on ball contact, contributing significantly to its control and making it less 'pingy' than stiffer carbon alternatives.
The combination of speed, spin potential, and softer feel typically results in a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates effective looping and aggressive topspin shots, allowing the ball to arc over the net with good clearance.
The soft feel and excellent control indicate good ball dwell time. This extended contact is beneficial for generating heavy spin on loops and serves, and aids in controlled blocking and delicate touch shots near the net.
Karas OFF exhibits moderate flexibility. While the carbon layers provide structure and speed, the blade avoids being overly stiff, allowing for a natural flex during strokes that aids in both spin generation and controlled power.
The blade offers a very dampened, stable feel with minimal vibration. This is likely a result of its multi-layered construction and the inclusion of softer woods, providing a solid platform for consistent strokes.
The overall build quality of the Karas OFF is generally regarded as good, featuring a pleasant finish and comfortable handle. Its unique 9-ply construction aims for a solid balance of performance and durability. While most feedback is positive, a small number of players have noted personal preferences regarding its feel compared to other blades.
Technology
Tibhar Karas OFF is built with a unique and intricate 9-ply sandwich construction, featuring five wood layers and four carbon layers. This design philosophy carefully integrates carbon for enhanced speed and power, while the specific selection and placement of wood plies—notably a balsa core—are engineered to provide a softer, more controlled feel. The goal is to deliver aggressive offensive performance without sacrificing the touch and ball connection that many players value, creating a distinctive playing experience.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Aleksandar Karakasevic
The blade is intrinsically linked to Serbian professional Aleksandar Karakasevic, as it was developed in collaboration with him and carries his nickname 'Karas.' It was designed to embody his playing characteristics—notably delicate hand skills and strong acceleration—offering players a tool to control the game with a blend of speed and soft touch.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon
The Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon is sometimes mentioned as a potential alternative for players seeking a hybrid offensive blade. While both aim for power, they offer different feels and performance profiles, with some players expressing a preference for one over the other based on personal touch and playing style.
Tibhar SK7
Some players have compared Karas OFF to the Tibhar SK7, particularly noting similar thickness, and have considered it as a potential substitute since the Karas OFF was discontinued. The SK7, typically a 7-ply composite, presents a different construction and feel, offering an alternative route to offensive performance.