Weight
100.5g
Thickness
10mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
163x135
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Head-Heavy
Athena Hinoki Platinum RSM
Xiom Athena Hinoki Platinum RSM is a premium Japanese Penhold blade crafted from the finest Kiso Hinoki wood. This single-ply construction delivers a powerful, direct feel perfect for aggressive close-to-the-table play. The Platinum grade signifies selection from only the top 5-10% of wood, ensuring superior density, a beautiful grain, and a distinct, pleasing sound on impact. It offers an exceptional blend of speed, control, and deep feedback, making it a top choice for dynamic topspin and sharp blocking.
As a single-ply blade, the entire construction consists of a carefully selected piece of Kiso Hinoki wood, known for its density, elasticity, and distinct feel. The Platinum grade indicates an exceptionally high-quality selection.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
The single-ply Kiso Hinoki construction, combined with its thickness, delivers impressive speed suitable for powerful topspin shots and fast attacks from all ranges. This makes it a formidable weapon for offensive play.
Despite its high speed, the natural properties of Kiso Hinoki provide a remarkable level of control and feel. This allows players to place the ball accurately and execute delicate shots when needed, offering a balanced performance.
The blade offers a soft, natural feel that provides excellent feedback and a strong connection to the ball. This characteristic is highly valued by players who rely on touch and feel for spin generation and precise placement.
The combination of speed and flexibility typically results in a medium-high throw angle, ideal for generating powerful and arching topspin shots that clear the net with authority.
The single-ply Hinoki construction inherently provides a longer dwell time, allowing the ball to sink into the blade. This enhances spin generation and delivers a more controlled hitting experience.
Single-ply Hinoki blades are known for their flexibility, which allows for a powerful flex during strong strokes. This flex aids in generating both significant spin and power.
While offering good feedback, the blade exhibits minimal to medium vibration, contributing to a clean feel without excessive harshness. Many players appreciate this clean, direct sensation.
The use of premium, selected Kiso Hinoki wood, often with very dense and even grain, ensures excellent build quality, durability, and a superior aesthetic. The Platinum designation guarantees only the finest materials are used.
Technology
Xiom Athena Hinoki Platinum RSM is defined by exquisite craftsmanship and material selection rather than complex composites. The Platinum grade signifies that only the finest 5-10% of Kiso Hinoki wood is used, known for its exceptional density, resonant sound, and perfect grain structure. This focus on natural wood properties allows players to experience a pure, unadulterated connection to the ball, providing superior feel, control, and power characteristic of high-end single-ply blades.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ryu Seung Min
Ryu Seung Min, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, is famously associated with this blade, lending his name to the RSM designation. His powerful topspin and sharp blocking game perfectly complement the blade's characteristics. Its speed and control allow for aggressive, close-to-the-table play, enabling execution of powerful drives and blocks with precision. The blade's feel and dwell time are crucial for his spin-oriented attacking style.
Similar Blades
Xiom Athena Hinoki Gold
Xiom Athena Hinoki Gold is a slightly lower-grade version, using Kiso Hinoki wood of slightly lower quality than the Platinum class. It offers a similar feel and performance profile but may not have the same level of refinement or aesthetic appeal as the Platinum edition.
Xiom Katana Platinum
Xiom Katana Platinum is another premium single-ply Hinoki blade from Xiom designed for offensive play. While both are high-quality Hinoki blades, the Katana Platinum may differ slightly in head shape and specific wood selection, offering nuanced differences in feel, speed, and dwell time for players to explore.