Hinoki ALC Carbon

XVT Hinoki ALC Carbon is built for offensive speed, allowing for powerful drives and quick counter-attacks. The integration of Arylate-Carbon fibers within the wood plies significantly boosts the blade's stiffness and rebound, translating to a high-paced game. While very fast, it maintains a connection to the ball that skilled players can harness for aggressive, point-ending shots.

Despite its high-speed rating, this blade maintains commendable control, largely thanks to the Hinoki outer layers. This wood provides a softer, more forgiving touch that aids in precise ball placement, short game finesse, and spin variation. Players report it offers a balanced feel where power doesn't completely override the ability to execute controlled blocks and touch shots.

XVT Hinoki ALC Carbon delivers a medium-hard feel. The Hinoki outer ply offers a touch of traditional wood softness, but the internal Arylate-Carbon layers create a dominant stiff and direct response. This results in a crisp, solid impact with less flex, which many offensive players prefer for powerful, linear shots.

XVT Hinoki ALC Carbon produces a medium-high throw angle. The Hinoki outer layer naturally imparts a higher arc on the ball, which is ideal for aggressive looping. The carbon layers then add speed and penetration to these high-arcing shots, making it effective for powerful topspin play from mid-distance.

The blade provides a medium dwell time. The Hinoki surface helps grip the ball for spin generation, while the underlying carbon structure promotes a quicker rebound. This balance allows for effective spin creation on loops without sacrificing the direct, fast response needed for drives and counters.

With its dual Arylate-Carbon layers, this is a relatively stiff blade. The inherent flexibility of the Hinoki outer ply is largely counteracted by the rigid composite core, resulting in a low-flex profile. This stiffness provides a solid, stable platform for powerful shots with a very direct and linear ball trajectory.

Players report a notable level of vibration upon ball impact. This blade transmits clear, sometimes pronounced feedback to the hand, which some players appreciate for touch but others may find excessive compared to more dampened composite designs. It contributes to a very active and communicative playing sensation.

For its price segment, the XVT Hinoki ALC Carbon offers decent build quality with a generally good finish. TTSensei experts note that while the overall construction is solid, the specific quality of the Arylate-Carbon fiber may not match the refined characteristics found in top-tier blades. This can sometimes influence the consistency of feel and feedback, but it represents a solid value proposition.