Nittaku Redshank

Pros:

- Soft, excellent for looping — Spinny — Lightweight (about 80 grams) — No adverse vibrations — High throw, facilitating gameplay when late — Similar to premium blades like Bazelart, Spark, and Innerforce AL — Used by Wang Liqin — Exceptional quality — Comfortable handle feel (off-), with head-heavy balance — Flexible — Well-suited for chiquita shots

Cons:

- Occasional overshooting near the table — Aggressive gameplay erforderlich — Excessive dwell time for smashing, due to high throw — Bouncy on topspin, exacerbating kick problems for players unfamiliar with high shots — Requires skill in blocking; high throw hinders passive play — Discontinued — Excessive spin on serves, causing difficulties with incoming balls after serves — Ball may be too low for downspin play; upspin serves with kick are recommended — Underrated, leading to potential resale difficulties — Similar to Butterfly’s Vectran blades; not the fastest but compatible with Dynasty 05 Hard, MXS, MXP 50 — Head-heavy, but preferences vary — Perfect for players like me who prefer lighter rubbers like 07 PRO, combining speed and spin — Ideal for Kirill Gerassimenko-style topspin play, at a distance of 1 meter from the table — Challenges in backhand blocking, potentially due to 07 pro rather than the blade itself — Affordable; I purchased mine for $90 in good condition — Alternative outer ply options (e.g., koto, hinoki, basswood, pine, rosewood, wenge) available to meet individual preferences — Highly recommended for players seeking a soft, woody feel, higher arc, and lightweight blades, including top-level players.

Control, speed, spin, block magic: all-around attackers blade.

For the past two years, I have been using the Waldner Senso Carbon blade. Recently, I switched to the Nittaku Redshank blade, and it has been a transformative experience. With the Redshank, I find it effortless to impart significant spin, execute delicate touch spins, and deliver powerful smashes. Blocking shots has become effortless and effective, and playing from mid or even long distances is now a breeze. I have also discovered that I possess a formidable backhand. I am so impressed with the Redshank that I intend to purchase a second one as a backup blade.

The blade is lightweight, allowing for quick movements. It provides good control for blocks and excellent touch. Additionally, it offers power for smash and loop kills. It is also flexible, allowing for slow, spinny loops. Overall, this blade is well-suited for all-around attackers.

This blade is cheap because it’s less well-known. It’s nothing magical like I’ve heard about other really expensive blades, but it does give great feel and control. The thin carbon makes it feel a little hard, yet looping is extremely easy because it’s soft enough compared to other carbon blades. It’s faster than my Yasaka MLC. The Redshank doesn’t have the hollow feeling as the MLC, which is why I prefer the Redshank.

Oh, did I mention it’s super light? It’s probably less than 80g. It’s so light that I actually put 2 layers of edge tape to make it feel heavier. The value is great for its cheap price and great feel. Looping is very easy. Looping away from the table with a very low-throw rubber is still doable, unlike my MLC. I block very well close to the table, probably because of the low-throw rubber. Touch shots are pretty good too, though I really try to learn to loop everything.

I like the fact that this blade is not branded with or endorsed by a player. Otherwise, it could be a lot more expensive.