Weight
100.5g
Thickness
10mm
Plies
1-ply
Head Size
163x135
Handles
FL
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Athena RSM Silver
Xiom Athena Platinum RSM Special is a premium single-ply Kiso Hinoki blade, meticulously crafted for Japanese Penhold players seeking a powerful yet nuanced game. Named after Olympic champion Ryu Seung Min, it delivers potent topspin and sharp blocking with exceptional feel and balance. The dense, even grain of the highest-grade Hinoki provides a distinctive sound and a soft, responsive touch. This blade is a collectible masterpiece, blending historical significance with exquisite craftsmanship for aggressive, close-to-table play.
The blade features a classic single-ply (monolithic) construction using premium Kiso Hinoki wood. This simple yet effective design is responsible for the blade's distinctive playing properties, including its unique feel, sound, and direct feedback.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is consistently recognized as extremely fast. The monolithic Kiso Hinoki construction and substantial thickness generate significant power, particularly for aggressive, close-to-table offensive shots. Its speed rating reflects its potent offensive capabilities, making it a formidable weapon for players who drive the pace of the game.
Despite its high speed, the Athena Platinum RSM Special offers a commendable and surprising level of control. This balance is achieved through the natural feedback and soft feel of the premium Hinoki wood. Players report great feel, allowing for precision in both powerful drives and delicate touch shots near the net.
The single-ply Hinoki construction provides a distinctively soft and communicative feel. This allows for excellent ball feedback and sensitivity, which is highly valued by players who rely on touch for their close-to-table game, enabling nuanced control over spin and placement.
The combination of high speed and long dwell time typically produces a medium-high throw angle. This trajectory is advantageous for creating powerful, arcing topspin loops that clear the net with safety and dive aggressively onto the opponent's side of the table.
The soft nature of the Kiso Hinoki and the monolithic design contribute to a notably long dwell time. This extended contact allows for increased spin generation on loops and provides more control during softer, touch-oriented shots, adding a layer of safety to powerful strokes.
This thick, single-ply Hinoki blade possesses a good degree of natural flex. This flexibility works in tandem with the long dwell time, aiding in spin generation and adding a catapult effect to offensive shots, all while preserving the blade's characteristic feel.
Vibration is perceived as moderate. While being a thick, single-ply blade, the premium quality of the wood helps dampen excessive harshness, resulting in a controlled and informative feel. Some players might notice more vibration compared to modern multi-ply composite blades, but it is generally well-managed.
Crafted from exceptionally high-grade Kiso Hinoki, this blade represents the pinnacle of wood selection. TTSensei experts note that only the top 5-10% of Platinum-class wood is used, with the 'Special' version featuring an even more select cut. This results in a beautiful, dense grain, superior durability, a clear acoustic signature, and an overall premium playing experience that justifies its collector status.
Technology
Xiom Athena Platinum RSM Special champions a minimalist philosophy, achieving premium performance through a single ply of the finest Kiso Hinoki wood. The 'Platinum' designation indicates a super-quality selection from the top tier of HONMASA Kiso Hinoki. The 'Special' version uses an even more exclusive cut, ensuring a dense, even grain and superior acoustic properties. This focus on the wood's inherent qualities—its flex, density, and feel—provides a pure and direct connection with the ball. This technology is designed for players whose game is built on touch, precision, and the raw feedback of a classic material.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ryu Seung Min
The blade is directly associated with Ryu Seung Min, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, as indicated by the 'RSM' in its name. His playing style—characterized by powerful topspin and sharp blocking—aligns perfectly with the blade's design ethos. The speed, feel, and control of the Athena Platinum RSM Special are said to complement and enhance the aggressive, close-to-table tactics he famously employed.
Similar Blades
Kim Taek Soo (KTS)
The Kim Taek Soo (KTS) blade is a frequent point of comparison, as another premier single-ply Hinoki penhold option. Players often debate the nuances between them. Generally, the KTS is considered to have a slight edge in raw speed, while the Xiom Athena Platinum RSM Special is noted for offering a superior, softer feel and potentially more control. Both represent the pinnacle of classic Hinoki craftsmanship for players seeking that traditional connection with modern offensive power.