Nittaku Adelie

≈ 84 grams ≈ 1227 Hz

Blade description:

The Nittaku Adelie is a distinguished table tennis blade that stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship and performance. Constructed as a 7-ply blade, it features a combination of limba wood on the outer layers and ayous on the inner layers. This composition not only enhances responsiveness but also contributes to a unique feel, allowing players to express their skills effectively. Weighing in at approximately 85 grams and with a thickness of 6.2mm, the Adelie strikes a balance between agility and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

In terms of flexibility, many players have noted the Adelie’s impressive amount of flex, especially noted during backhand strokes. This characteristic, paired with its firm construction, allows for remarkable control—rated an impressive 8 out of 10 by users. The blade’s moderate stiffness (3.8) and hardness (5.2) contribute to its ability to provide both power and touch, making it ideal for players who emphasize spin and control in their game. The comfortable handle, akin to other Nittaku models, further enhances the user experience, allowing for prolonged play with minimal discomfort.

For those exploring alternatives, the Nittaku Adelie is often compared to the Stiga Clipper and the Latika blade, both of which offer different flavors of playability and touch. However, the Adelie excels with its combination of control and spin, especially when paired with modern rubbers, including tacky varieties popular in aggressive looping strategies. Overall, the Nittaku Adelie has garnered praise for its ability to accommodate both technical and aggressive players while delivering consistent and high-quality performance.

Recent Reviews

#1 — August 2022

A masterpiece. Blade is very fast off of the bounce and on drives. It is quite stiff, but not overly stiff. Not many vibrations are felt when making contact with the ball. This blade is excellent for counter-hitting, counter-driving, and smashing. Has decent control, so good to use when looping. Ideal for offensive players.

Blade is also very lightweight, which is a great benefit when playing. It is made of 5-ply wood, which gives it a great feel when gripping. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced players, and is arguably one of the best blades that Yasaka have produced.

#2 — February 2021

It’s incredible how well you can play with this blade, which allows you to execute very soft and precise shots while keeping the ball on the table at all times. Only minor adjustments to your technique may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

#3 — February 2020

Coming from a 92g Stiga Clipper CR (non-wrb), I was expecting a similar feeling where contact feels soft and a “layered” feeling with many gears. Instead, Adelie feels different.

It is not a bad different. Adelie has very good control, and I notice quite some flex on my backhand side (my stronger side). After several sessions, it is still too early for me to actually know the blade, but so far I like it.

To my surprise, I actually found myself doing spinny brushes from the backhand side, like I used to with 5 ply Limba Outer blades. With the Clipper I had, I had a slightly different stroke. I attribute this to Adelie’s overall thinness (6.0-6.2, relatively thin for a 7-ply blade), and its low weight (86g, compared to 90g+ for some other 7-ply blades).

I am yet to grasp the flex on this blade. As mentioned, I can feel quite a bit of it when I do my backhand.

At this point, I can say this is one of those blades that you cannot go wrong with. The controllable speed is more than enough for local league levels. P.S. I am yet to rate the blade, but I hope my impression above helps anyone who wants/likes to use 7-ply blades.