Weight
90g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
165x157
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Sweden Guardian
Yasaka Sweden Guardian is a 5-ply all-wood blade crafted in Sweden for the modern defensive player who values offensive potential. It builds on the classic Swedish tradition of control and feel, using a unique construction with two slightly harder inner layers and two softer outer veneers. This design, paired with its distinctive shape, creates a blade that excels in defensive strategies like chops and blocks while remaining responsive for counter-attacks and aggressive pushes. Lacquered for durability, it offers a superb balance of control and spin, making it a versatile choice for intermediate to advanced players with an all-round or modern defensive style.
The blade uses a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood build. It features two softer outer veneers, two slightly harder inner layers, and a core layer in the center. This specific arrangement creates a balance between hardness for power and directness, and softness for feel and dwell time, tailored for modern defensive play.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Sweden Guardian delivers moderate to mid-slow speed, perfect for a modern defensive game that incorporates offensive opportunities. It's not built for explosive power but provides enough pace for effective counter-attacks and controlled offensive maneuvers, especially when paired with faster rubbers. This makes it ideal for players who value placement and spin over raw velocity.
Control is the standout feature of this blade. Its construction prioritizes stability and precision, making it exceptionally forgiving for defensive chops, blocks, and controlled offensive play. Players report it's hard to miss the table, offering maximum control that builds confidence and supports technical development.
The blade presents a surprisingly hard and stiff feel for a defensive model, often described as having a crisp, glass-like bounce. While the outer veneers add some softness to the touch, the overall impression is one of firmness that requires good technique and sensitive hand feeling to master.
Its stiff nature and control focus produce a medium-low to medium throw angle. This is advantageous for defensive play, creating flatter trajectories on chops and blocks, and allowing for controlled loops that stay low over the net.
The combination of softer outer veneers and a relatively thin profile provides a decent dwell time. This allows for effective spin generation on chops and loops, giving the ball enough contact to grip the rubber, which is particularly beneficial for defensive strokes.
Sweden Guardian is consistently described as stiff and hard, offering very low flexibility. This contributes to its direct, crisp response on harder shots but means it provides less bend and forgiveness on soft touch shots, demanding precise technique.
Our testing shows a moderate to high level of vibration, characteristic of stiffer blades. This feedback transmits clearly to the player's hand, offering valuable information on shot quality and impact, which can help in adjusting strokes during play.
Manufactured in Sweden's renowned blade factories, the Sweden Guardian benefits from a legacy of high-quality craftsmanship. The use of select woods and precise construction ensures consistent performance and durability. This Swedish heritage translates into a reliable, well-made product that players can trust.
Technology
Sweden Guardian leverages the classic Swedish all-wood construction, renowned for control and feel, and enhances it for modern play. Its 5-ply composition strategically pairs two slightly harder inner layers with two softer outer veneers. This layering, combined with a unique blade shape, optimizes characteristics for modern defensive strategies while retaining offensive capability. The blade is lacquered for added protection and durability, and its manufacturing in Sweden ensures it benefits from a long-standing reputation for quality blade production.
Similar Blades
Tibhar Power Defense
Players report the Tibhar Power Defense offers a similar feel to the Sweden Guardian but is slightly less stiff, faster, and often heavier. It's a solid alternative for those seeking comparable defensive control with a bit more inherent speed and a different weight distribution.
Yasaka Sweden Defensive
The Yasaka Sweden Defensive represents a more classic, slower defensive blade. The Sweden Guardian is notably faster than its sibling, making it an excellent upgrade for players who find the Sweden Defensive too passive but still want exceptional control and defensive capability from the Yasaka lineage.