Weight
87.5g
Thickness
6.2mm
Plies
9-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Silverline 9 Wood
Yasaka Silverline 9 Wood is a high-tech, fast attacking blade engineered for aggressive, close-to-the-table play. Made in Sweden, this 9-ply all-wood construction delivers exceptional speed and power through a specialized build. It features hard outer veneers, a powerful core of three hard center veneers, and complementary redwood and medium-soft layers, all bonded with eight glue layers to create a large, forgiving sweet spot. Ideal for players who dominate with powerful drives and quick attacks, it offers a robust platform for offensive strategies.
This symmetrical 9-ply construction features hard outer silver/red veneers for speed and a large sweet spot. Moving inward, a thin medium-soft veneer is followed by a harder, thinner redwood layer. The core consists of three consecutive hard center veneers for power, mirrored on the other side by another redwood layer, another medium-soft veneer, and the final hard outer layer. Eight glue layers bond the structure, contributing to its overall characteristics.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Yasaka Silverline 9 Wood is consistently rated as one of the fastest blades in its class. Its 9-ply all-wood construction, featuring hard outer veneers and a dense core, is specifically engineered for high-speed offensive play. It excels in delivering powerful drives, aggressive blocks, and fast attacks, making it a top choice for players who prioritize raw speed and direct attacking over other characteristics.
Despite its high speed, Silverline 9 Wood offers a commendable level of control, largely attributed to its exceptionally large sweet spot. This wider hitting area makes it more forgiving on off-center hits. The careful selection of veneers and the bonding process contribute to a stable platform for executing controlled shots, especially for aggressive players who maintain good technique.
The construction with multiple hard wood layers, especially the outer silver/red veneers, results in a relatively stiff and hard feel. This provides direct feedback on ball contact and contributes significantly to its speed. While it offers a large sweet spot, players accustomed to softer, more flexible blades might find the feedback less nuanced, as the feel is optimized for powerful, direct shots rather than delicate touch play.
Given its fast and powerful nature, Silverline 9 Wood likely imparts a medium-high throw angle on shots. This characteristic aids in generating aggressive topspin with a good arc, allowing for effective attacking play both close to the table and from mid-distance.
Dwell time on the Silverline 9 Wood is medium. While the hard wood construction promotes speed and a shorter contact time, the 9-ply structure and multiple glue layers can contribute to a degree of ball pocketing. This allows for sufficient dwell to generate spin on powerful shots but is not excessively long, which would compromise its primary speed characteristic.
Yasaka Silverline 9 Wood is a stiff blade. Its 9-ply all-wood construction with hard outer veneers and a dense core prioritizes direct power transfer and speed over flexibility. This stiffness is crucial for its offensive capabilities, allowing for powerful drives and blocks with minimal energy loss and a very direct playing sensation.
Vibration level is moderate. While the hard wood construction can transmit more feedback than softer woods, the 9-ply build and the inclusion of various wood types help dampen excessive harshness. It's not described as a 'dead' feeling blade, suggesting players will experience some palpable, but not overwhelming, feedback.
Manufactured in Sweden, renowned for its table tennis equipment standards, the Silverline 9 Wood benefits from high production quality. Our assessment indicates a robust construction and good finishing, contributing to its overall durability and performance consistency. The use of multiple, carefully selected veneers and precise gluing methods underscores its position as a high-performance blade.
Technology
Yasaka Silverline 9 Wood utilizes advanced Swedish engineering in its specialized 9-ply all-wood construction. The design incorporates hard outer veneers subjected to a high-pressure hardening process to enhance hardness and increase the sweet spot size. The core is built with three hard center veneers bonded to create a powerful foundation. This is complemented by redwood veneers and a thin, medium-soft veneer layer, all meticulously selected and glued with eight layers of adhesive. This intricate construction aims to maximize speed and power transfer while maintaining a significant sweet spot for improved control in aggressive play.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Silverline Carbon
Yasaka Silverline Carbon is a direct counterpart, differing primarily through the inclusion of two thin carbon fiber layers. This construction typically enhances speed and stiffness further while potentially reducing vibration compared to the all-wood 9 Wood. Players seeking an even faster and stiffer blade might consider the Silverline Carbon, though it may offer a slightly different feel and control profile.
Yasaka Sweden Offensive
Yasaka Sweden Offensive is a classic 7-ply all-wood blade known for its good balance of speed and control, favored by many offensive players. While the Silverline 9 Wood aims for maximum speed with its 9-ply construction, the Sweden Offensive offers a more traditional, perhaps slightly softer feel with a strong emphasis on controllable power. It serves as an alternative for players who want a fast all-wood blade but prefer a more nuanced feel or a different speed-to-control ratio.