Nittaku Rutis Revo J

It’s an excellent blade that fulfills a tiny niche perfectly. After transitioning from traditional penhold (Butterfly Cypress V-Max), this blade definitely allows a more comfortable grip while allowing me to utilize RPB. Currently, I am using it with a Xiom J& H c55 on forehand and Andro Rasanter R42 on the backhand. I’ve also tested it with boosted Skyline 3 and H3 Neo provincial (H3 and the J& H performed much better than the Skyline for me).

Speed — In terms of speed, the blade is definitely on the faster end of things, though there are certainly blades that go faster. The walnut veneer definitely helps in this regard, as does the slightly thicker core. In comparison to previous generations of the Rutis series, this is a step up in speed, almost playing like an Off+ blade from the prior decade.

Control — The vibrations and feedback on this blade are heavily muted, especially compared to hinoki or other all-wood blades. Everything about the blade, from the walnut exterior to the 3+2 construction, makes for an incredibly stiff blade. There definitely is a learning curve, but it’s made up for by having a fairly large sweet spot and enough speed to play with tacky Chinese-style rubbers.

Spin — There’s plenty of spin to be had with this blade, though it’s not the easiest to access. This blade was made for strong drives and power loops that make the most of its composition.

Overall, a very good blade for offensive players looking to play two-sided Japanese penhold. This is not a blade for someone looking for maximum touch and control, but definitely one for someone who can utilize its speed effectively. Currently playing with Xiom c55 forehand and Andro Rasanter R42 backhand.