Balsa

Weight

82g

Thickness

6.2mm

Plies

5-ply

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Handle-Heavy

Yasaka

Balsa

Sweden
2015

Yasaka Battle Balsa is a lightweight offensive blade that masterfully blends the springy, responsive nature of balsa wood with the resilience of Scandinavian pine. This five-ply construction delivers a crisp, fast feel ideal for quick counter-attacks and aggressive close-to-the-table play. Its soft outer layers provide excellent touch for blocking and short game precision, while the overall design offers a unique, confidence-inspiring feel that balances speed with surprising control, making it highly maneuverable for fast-paced rallies.

5-Ply Construction

The blade features a symmetrical 5-ply construction with a balsa core. This design balances the balsa's inherent lightness and unique feel with the added speed and responsiveness from Scandinavian pine. The identical soft outer wood layers contribute significantly to the blade's good touch and control in the short game and during blocking.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.3

Battle Balsa delivers a good level of speed for an offensive blade. Its construction, combining balsa with Scandinavian pine, provides a faster feel than traditional balsa blades, making it highly effective for aggressive close-to-the-table play and quick counter-attacks. The energy return from this hybrid wood structure supports decisive attacking shots.

Control
8.4

This blade receives high marks for control, achieving a good balance between offensive power and precision. Its lightweight nature and the unique feedback from the balsa core allow for confident shot placement and execution. Players report excellent touch in the short game and during blocking, contributing to its overall controllability.

Feel
Medium-Soft
SoftMedium-SoftHard

The balsa core imparts a unique and notably soft feel upon ball contact, providing excellent feedback and touch, particularly in the short game. This characteristic is often described as a distinctive, almost 'self-playing' sensation that many players find highly responsive and engaging.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

With its offensive orientation, Battle Balsa likely produces a medium to medium-high throw angle, especially when paired with modern spin-oriented rubbers. The balsa core influences the trajectory slightly compared to all-wood blades, but the overall design supports an attacking, offensive output.

Dwell Time
5.0

Balsa blades typically have a shorter dwell time compared to denser wood constructions, which can affect heavy underspin loops. However, the combination with Scandinavian pine in this blade aims to provide a more balanced feel, offering decent dwell for its offensive capabilities without being exceptionally long.

Flexibility
4.0

User experiences vary regarding flexibility, with some noting it has 'some flex.' This suggests a design that strikes a balance, offering enough stiffness for direct power transmission while retaining a degree of flexibility that contributes to its unique feel and touch.

Vibration
7.0

The balsa core structure can lead to higher vibration, but the layered construction with other woods manages this effectively. The result is a crisp, vibrant feel that provides clear feedback without becoming harsh or uncomfortable during play.

Quality
8.7

While specific quality ratings are limited, the high consistency scores from user feedback suggest a well-manufactured blade that reliably maintains its playing characteristics. Being crafted in Sweden, a region known for quality table tennis equipment, further supports its reputation for solid construction and durability.

Technology

Yasaka Battle Balsa utilizes a specialized 5-ply construction that integrates a balsa wood core with layers of Scandinavian pine and selected soft wood veneers. This engineering harnesses the ultra-lightweight and unique tactile properties of balsa, while the Scandinavian pine enhances speed, energy transfer, and stability. The soft outer layer is designed to provide exceptional touch for close-to-the-table play and blocking, ensuring precision in delicate shots. This method creates a blade that is both fast and responsive, yet remains exceptionally light, appealing to players who prioritize maneuverability and a distinct playing feel.

Pro Players Using This Blade

Mima Ito

Players with a style similar to Mima Ito, known for her fast, spin-oriented game close to the table, might find this blade suitable. It has been used as a lower-weight alternative to other offensive blades, often paired with rubbers like Rakza 7 Soft and Rakza PO to emulate that quick, aggressive playing style.

Similar Blades

Yasaka Balsa Plus

Yasaka Balsa Plus is a closely related blade that also features a balsa core combined with Scandinavian pine. It aims to achieve a fast blade while maintaining low weight, similar to the Battle Balsa. Players report it offers good speed and control characteristics, though it may present slightly different feel and speed dynamics compared to the Battle Balsa.

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5

Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5 is considered a step up for players who enjoy the balsa feel but desire more speed and stiffness. It incorporates carbon fiber layers, making it faster and more rigid than pure balsa blades, while still retaining the lightweight advantage characteristic of a balsa core construction.