Xiom Hibi O

I got this blade two months ago with a short pip.

The blade has a nice look, and the Hinoki wood is wonderful. It is a blade for block and topspin close to mid-distance play. However, I’ve encountered two difficulties:

1. I cannot serve fast and long, maybe because of the shape of the blade.
2. Short pips on this blade is a mistake, especially a Dr. Neubauer because the logo takes too much room, making the area with pips tiny.

I will receive a Nittaku G1, 47.5°, 2mm soon and will update my review.

As a traditional Jpen player, I am constantly searching for exceptional 1 ply hinoki blades. Having played with various types such as cypresses, senkohs, Excellent As, and Musashis, I must commend the Hibi-O. Its construction quality rivals that of the esteemed Cypresses and Nittakus.

Currently, alongside my collection, I possess a Cypress G-Max, providing me with a basis for comparison. Despite both being Jpen blades, their approaches to the style differ significantly. The Hibi-O embodies a modern design, tailored for the recently introduced poly balls. This is potentially the reason behind its ogival shape, wider near the handle, contrasting with the square shape of the Cypress.

The handle of the Hibi-O is adorned with finer details and a rounded form, exuding a modern and cosmopolitan aesthetic. However, the true test lies in their feel. In this aspect, they present a stark contrast. The Cypress conveys a sense of solidity, akin to a loyal companion who will never falter. It excels in blocking, driving, and obediently executing commands. You can confidently anticipate its performance.

Conversely, the Hibi-O resembles an agile feline. It is nimble and responsive, fostering a sensation of increased speed. Ultimately, the choice between these two masterpieces hinges on personal preference. Both have the potential to elicit immense satisfaction.

P.S. For reference, I have utilized Xiom Omega Asia VII and Tenergy 05 on both blades.

Using this blade with Tenergy 05 for the past 6 months, bear in mind that my review is based on this combo (Hibi O + Tenergy 05).

The blade is well constructed, has an amazing finish, a great and comfortable handle, and a good weight. Comparing both blades I have, they are almost identical, with slight weight/balance variance, which is normal given that it’s 100% wood. Both of them are 10 mm thick (small less than a half-millimeter variance), so, in my humble opinion (IMHO), the construction quality of this blade is really high.

I’ve been loving playing with this blade. It’s a flexible, soft blade. I really like the feeling it has (which, well, it’s a characteristic of single-ply good cypress). The weight is also great, at least it has a perfect weight for me (bear in mind I’m used to playing with 10 mm blades for a long time). It may feel a bit heavier if you are not used to 10 mm blades.

The back of the blade is painted black, but it also has a strip of cork, which is really handy for supporting fingers and avoiding the blade slipping (compared to some blades where the back is totally painted and make the blade slip easily).

As with any Cypress blade, it is a bit fragile, so you should expect a few marks on it when you hit the table, for example, but I would like to emphasize that this is a characteristic of the Cypress wood, not the quality of the blade.

For me, this blade has only one downside if I compare it with other blades I’ve played: the shape of the blade’s head. Most of Japanese penhold (Jpen) blades, if you look at the blade’s head, you will see that it’s usually wider at the tip of the head and narrower closer to the handle, which makes sense since most of the time you will hit the ball closer to the tip of the blade. Hibi O, however, is narrower at the tip and wider at the handle. There is not much difference, but the difference is still there. It doesn’t make much difference for my game, comparing with my old blade, but, it is something that bothers me from time to time when I look at it.