Nittaku Tenaly Acoustic

This is an incredible blade. Control and feel comparable to standard acoustic and violin. I would really like to mention to all that Tabletennis11 is the only place that I ever buy table tennis equipment. They always do a great job with lacquering and rubber installation. Within the past few months, I’ve purchased several Nittaku blades from them, and they always do their best to fulfill all my requests. Thanks again, Tabletennis11. I will always be a lifetime customer.

Just over a year ago, I said that the Nittaku Barwell Fleet was the best blade that I’d ever had and that it had improved my game no end. This is still true as regards blades with standard shakehand handles. When I came across the Tenaly blades, I thought I’d like to try one and experimented with the original (and the cheapest) Tenaly to see if I could play with it. After a few weeks of getting used to it, I went for this Tenaly Acoustic blade. It is far superior to the original Tenaly and has a fantastic feel and control. It has improved both my forehand and backhand more so than the Barwell Fleet. It has not inhibited my game when playing with the Barwell Fleet, which has long pimples on the backhand side, so I can play with both blades. As I favor the backhand, especially for hits, long pimples were not an option for this Tenaly blade, which is now my favorite blade. Nittaku blades are my favorite even though some are rather expensive, but they are usually well worth the money (especially when on special offer).

I really like the bent handle of this bat. It allows the bat to be in a straight line with my arm without bending my wrist. This allows a more natural stroke.

I prefer the Acoustic much more than the original. Worth the extra money.

Rated as slower than Tenaly Original by Nittaku, I find that the Tenaly Acoustic is actually faster, has more control, and offers a better feel than the original. I’ve used Tenaly blades for a couple of years, and I would definitely recommend spending the extra money on the Acoustic. It works particularly well with Chinese forehand rubbers.

Blade Review

The blade in question is similar to the regular version, except for the handle. I’ve been using it for three months now, and it’s my go-to blade. It offers an excellent touch when paired with Chinese rubber on the forehand (currently using Neo TG2) and eliminates any bothersome vibration. It’s a versatile blade that can handle a wide range of playing styles.

Handle

Potential buyers should handle the blade before purchasing, as opinions on the handle vary widely. Some find it unpleasant, while others find it acceptable. As a penholder, I find the Tenaly to be excellent for reverse penhold backhand. The difference is not drastic but noticeable. When using a shakehand grip, I found the handle to be rather narrow but not overly uncomfortable. While my backhand improved, my forehand struggled somewhat. However, I primarily play penhold.

Other Considerations

It’s important to note that the blade face is relatively small (153x148mm compared to 157x150mm on the regular version). As such, any rubber cut to fit this blade may not fit on a regular size blade.