Xiom Ignito

My first Xiom blade and here is my intermediate take on it. The blade weighed exactly 88 grams. Putting Tibhar Evolution FX-P MAX on both sides including side tape took the blade weight to 184 grams (nice weight). A very nice compact blade that offers great speed as needed with nice control. Blocking and ball placement come easy as long as proper technique is used. When powering the blade, you definitely know it is a Hinoki, Carbon, and Kiri designed blade.

The flared (concave) handle is perfect and well designed and sits in hand very comfortable (definitely not on the narrow and skinny side). Very impressed with the handle shape and construction. The handle lens shows off the top craftsmanship of this blade.

Very pleased with the results the blade has given me, knowing the rubber used can dictate the performance of a blade. As long as you like Kiso Hinoki topped blades, this is a good one. A+++.

This blade has a high repulsive top ply, giving it a Hinoki-like feeling. It is also relatively lightweight, making it easy to maneuver. Despite its weight, this blade performs well with both flat hits and smashes, providing good control and power.

With Vega Pro rubbers, you can generate excellent speed and spin. Controlling fast loops over the table may be slightly challenging, but in all other aspects, it performs admirably. Note that the throw angle is lower than that of blades with limba/koto top layers. However, this makes the blade even more formidable. Previously, I played with the Galaxy T11+, which also pairs well with Vega Pro. However, I found it too hard (with low dwell time) to generate powerful loops at my skill level.

The only drawback I’ve experienced is when flat-hitting high chops. It is significantly more difficult for me to finish these points compared to using the T11+ (which makes it effortless). I attribute this to personal technique issues.

Overall, I highly recommend this blade with Vega Pro series rubbers. It’s worth noting that Xiom recommends using Omega and Zeta rubbers with this blade, though you may need to adjust your technique slightly to get the most out of the combination.

The Xiom Ignito is an excellent offensive blade for players of all levels. Despite being marketed as a “beginner” carbon blade, it has been used successfully by professional coaches in competitions. A friend who uses the Timo Boll ALC found this blade comparable and did not see the need to spend an additional $70 for the ALC version.

This is truly an exceptional blade. As an improving 3rd ball attack looper, it has proven to be a formidable weapon, providing me with unparalleled control during rallies. Despite its inherent speed, its handling characteristics are remarkable, allowing for precise shots.

However, one area where the blade could improve is in terms of control during pushing. When attempting to add extra power, I’ve noticed a tendency for the shots to push long. Nonetheless, the blade offers an incredibly sharp and solid feel, with no hollowness whatsoever. My loops are now noticeably faster and exhibit a pronounced arch, confounding opponents who previously bested me.

I possess an extensive collection of blades, each vying for my attention. However, it will be challenging to part with this particular one due to its exceptional performance.

Energy Carbon of Ignito is a new material from Xiom. It looks like ordinary carbon, but it’s softer. Energy Carbon isn’t classified as Soft Carbon, which is typically made with Carbon Fleece or Uniaxial Carbon. Xiom has reduced the internal energy loss of Energy Carbon, resulting in more energy transferred to the ball at impact.

Excellent blade with no vibration. It is moderately fast and controllable. The speed is tolerable and not very fast. It feels like an “off” blade. Super control and linear rebound.