Weight
88g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Sweden EK Carbon
Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon is a high-performance offensive blade built for the modern game. Its 5+2 ply construction combines hard Scandinavian oak outer veneers with inner CFNW carbon layers, creating a stiff and fast platform ideal for powerful drives and topspin attacks. This hybrid design delivers a solid, responsive feel with a large sweet spot and excellent stability, making it a versatile choice for close-to-mid distance offensive play. Elegantly crafted in Sweden and bearing JTTAA approval, it offers a premium balance of speed and control.
The construction is a symmetrical 7-ply build. It features Scandinavian oak as the outer veneers, known for hardness. Three inner carbon layers (CFNW) are integrated between the wood plies to enhance stiffness, power, and stability, creating the hybrid '5+2' structure.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Sweden EK Carbon is a fast blade designed for offensive play. The combination of hard oak outer veneers and inner carbon layers provides a significant speed boost, creating ample power for aggressive drives and topspin attacks. This makes it a strong choice for players looking to add more pace to their game compared to all-wood options.
Despite its speed, this blade offers a respectable level of control. The well-balanced construction and quality oak outer plies allow for precise shot placement, controlled blocks, and tactical play. This versatility means players can rely on it for both power and precision during offensive rallies.
Players report a medium-hard feel with a pleasant, solid responsiveness. The oak contributes to a firm touch, while the carbon adds stiffness, resulting in good feedback without excessive harshness. Many note it has a better touch than some carbon blades, with some describing a clean, direct sensation.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, which helps generate steep topspin and provides a comfortable margin over the net. This characteristic is beneficial for aggressive loopers and pairs well with high-throw rubbers for maximum effect.
The blade offers a moderate dwell time, allowing for effective spin generation on serves and loops. Its medium-hard character provides enough contact time for brush strokes, though it may be less pronounced than on very flexible all-wood blades. Pairing it with softer rubbers can enhance this characteristic.
The blade is generally stiff to medium-stiff due to the carbon layers and hard oak. This stiffness contributes to its speed and stability on powerful shots, while still retaining enough subtle flex to aid in spin generation and touch play.
Vibration is minimal, providing a clean and direct feel on impact. The construction effectively dampens excessive feedback, avoiding the numbness or harshness sometimes found in carbon blades. Players can feel the ball clearly without annoying vibrations.
Manufactured in Sweden with premium materials like Scandinavian oak and CFNW carbon, the blade exhibits excellent construction quality. It feels durable and well-finished, with a premium look and feel that justifies its position in the high-performance category. Players report a solid, reliable build.
Technology
Yasaka Sweden EK Carbon utilizes a '5+2' ply construction, featuring five wood layers and two integrated carbon fiber layers. The outer veneers are made from hard Scandinavian oak, which contributes significantly to the blade's stiffness and speed. The inner layers use CFNW (Carbon Fleece Non-Woven) carbon, strategically placed to enhance torsional strength, stability, and expand the sweet spot. This Swedish-crafted design aims to merge the natural feel of wood with the performance boost of carbon, creating a blade optimized for the power and spin demands of the modern plastic ball.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon
Often compared within the Yasaka lineup, the Sweden EK Carbon is generally described as harder and faster than the Ma Lin Carbon. Both share a 5+2 ply carbon philosophy for offensive players, but the EK Carbon's oak construction appeals to those seeking extra stiffness and direct speed.
Butterfly Viscaria
As a benchmark offensive carbon blade, the Viscaria shares a similar wood-plus-carbon layered philosophy. Players who appreciate the Viscaria's balanced performance might find the Sweden EK Carbon offers a distinct experience, with its Scandinavian oak and CFNW carbon providing a comparable yet unique blend of speed and control.