In table tennis, the choice of the “right” wood is a big issue. A different one is possible for each player. If you’re a defender or troublemaker, this review could be interesting to you as you’ll probably get to know a good alternative to your current wood – the Nittaku Shake Defence. Maybe you are already looking for a new wood or have already thought about buying this wood. Here you can find out if the Nittaku Shake Defence is the right wood for you.
This review has been kindly prepared by GeblockTT.
General information
Name: Shake Defence
Brand: Nittaku
Type of wood: Hinoki
Veneers: 5 (3 wood + 2 carbon)
Synthetic fiber: Carbon
Weight: 85 grams
Handle shapes:
straight
According to manufacturer Nittaku
(In 2018, a new version of this wood has been released, which is recognizable by the darker grip color, but differs only minimally in terms of game characteristics.)
Review & Experience of the Editorial Staff
Forehand: Butterfly Tenergy 64 (black,1.7)
Backhand: PiMPLEPARK Cluster (red, OX)
& the material specialist L.S.D. (OX, red) (the new version of the wood)
Valuation scheme:
On a scale of 1-100, the criteria are catapult effect, speed, spin, flight curve, game at the table (impact setback, short short), play in the, half distance, controllability, feedback/feeling and processing quality.
Test
Details evaluation
Catapult effect
Although the wood has a catapult effect, this is quite small, which should harmonize well with the playing style of a troubleplayer.
Speed
Although the wood is declared as Def, it can still be classified in the space area. This also enables powerful offensive strikes.
Spin
The Shake Defence offers maximum cutting inversion or interference effect and can generate a decent load of undercut. But also with topspins a lot of spin can be generated.
Flight curve
There are no particular abnormalities here. The wood has neither a high nor a flat flight curve.
Surcharge & Setback
Both impacts and setbacks are very easy to play. The wood is also not very susceptible to cutting, which makes it very good in the setback area.
Game in the half-distance
According to a defensive wood, defensive strikes from the half-distance are easy to play. Topspins or counter-top spins are also possible with high control from the half-distance, only in order to play fast topspins from the half-distance, one has to put a higher effort than logically with an off wood.
Controllability
The wood is easy to control both in active or passive play as well as from any position.
Structure of the material
The wood has a willow inner veneer, Hinoki veneer, as well as 2 carbon layers.
Level of play
The Shake Defence can be played due to the quite high control in the entry-level area, but one should rather bring a little experience in the defensive or disruptive game in order to reach the full potential.
Style
This wood is especially suitable for the modern defender. But also troublemakers can reach their full potential in the Nittaku Shake Defence. This wood is less suitable for offensive players or players who act with a short bump. Nevertheless, offensive strikes are possible with this wood.
Feedback/Feeling
Due to the carbon layers, the wood has a rather hard stop and is relatively stiff. It has a nice “crunige” ball feedback.
Processing quality
The Nittaku Shake Defence is well processed and its investment can pay off over several decades.
Strengths and weaknesses of table tennis wood
| Benefits | Disadvantages |
| -good processing | -relatively expensive |
| -ideal for troublemakers | -pretty large racket blade (may have to be reduced, due to weight or lack of pressure in offensive strikes) |
| -Maximum cut inversion |
Conclusion of the test of nittaku Shake Defence
With the Nittaku Shake Defence you get a defensive wood with a pleasant and special crisp attack, which supports a defensive player in almost every game situation.
Especially troublers or defenders will feel comfortable with this wood, which will give them an additional option of the offense.
This review has been kindly prepared by GeblockTT.
