Yasaka Sweden Extra is a 5-ply all-wood blade known for its excellent control, moderate speed, and balanced feel, making it an ideal choice for developing offensive players and modern all-rounders. Built in Sweden using high-quality wood craftsmanship, this blade delivers a soft, slightly flexible feel with good vibration feedback. It's particularly suitable for loopers, counter-drivers, and spin-oriented all-rounders looking for a forgiving blade that emphasizes touch and consistency over pure power.
Specs
Type: All-round
Plies: 5-ply (all-wood)
Composite Layer: None
Thickness: 5.7 mm
Weight: 85g
Speed (Manufacturer): 70
Control (Manufacturer): 77
Handle Type: FL / ST / AN
Made In: Sweden
Pros
Excellent control and touch across all shot types
Long dwell time enhances spin development
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Ideal for improving loopers and all-round attackers
High-quality wood craftsmanship at a budget-friendly price
Cons
May feel too soft or slow for high-level offensive players
Smaller sweet spot compared to composite blades
Limited power at long distance without fast rubbers
Scoring Breakdown
Aspect
Rating
Explanation
Speed
4.0
Offers enough acceleration for looping and driving, while still prioritizing control and stability.
Control
4.5
Excellent control in all areas, including short game, blocking, and looping. Easy to place shots accurately.
Stiffness
2.5
Fairly flexible. Helps generate spin and dwell but lacks the direct feel of stiffer blades.
Vibration Feel
3.5
Mild, clean vibration. Enough to give feedback without being distracting.
Dwell Time
4.5
Long dwell time for an all-wood blade. Excellent for brushing and spin creation.
Sweet Spot
3.5
Slightly smaller than composite blades, but very playable across the face.
Build Quality
4.5
High-quality Swedish craftsmanship with a smooth finish and consistent ply construction.
Core Performance Aspects
Looping & Topspin Play
Yasaka Sweden Extra excels in controlled looping. Its flexible 5-ply wood construction helps generate spin and arc with ease. Players can brush the ball comfortably with good dwell time, especially when paired with medium or tacky rubbers. The trajectory is naturally high, making it forgiving during open-ups and spin exchanges. It’s particularly effective on the backhand for spin variation and placement.
Driving & Flat Hitting
Driving feels clean and precise, though not overly fast. Smashes and flat hits are consistent but require good timing and energy input. The blade does not provide a sharp kick like composite blades but offers great directional stability. Players transitioning from all-round to offensive play will appreciate the manageable speed.
Blocking & Passive Control
Blocking is solid and predictable. The flexible feel helps absorb speed from incoming loops, and there’s just enough vibration feedback to assist with placement adjustments. Punch blocks are effective with medium or hard rubbers, but you’ll get better results on active redirections by following through more firmly.
Serve & Short Game
In the short game, the Sweden Extra performs very well. Its control-oriented nature makes it easy to place short pushes and vary spin on serves. The mild vibration feedback supports touch-based shots like drop shots and flicks, with enough dwell to keep contact precise.
Mid-to-Far Distance Play
From mid-distance, the blade still performs reliably, especially for spin-based rallies. However, players may need to exert more effort to maintain pace in longer rallies. At far distance, the lack of internal boost or composite kick makes it more suitable for tactical control than high-pressure offense.
Strategic Considerations
Comparison to Similar Blades
Compared to other 5-ply classics like Stiga All-round Classic, the Yasaka Sweden Extra has slightly more dwell and a touch more flex, favoring spin-focused players. Against Butterfly Primorac, it offers better short-game control but slightly less rebound speed. It’s noticeably slower than carbon-based entry-level OFF blades but far more forgiving.
Rubber Pairing Recommendations
Works best with medium or medium-hard rubbers that complement its control. Great pairings include Yasaka Rakza 7, Donic Acuda S2, or Tibhar FX-S. Softer rubbers enhance touch play, while harder rubbers improve drive stability. Tacky rubbers benefit from the blade’s dwell time and are recommended for spin-heavy styles.
Ideal Playstyle Fit
This blade is ideal for modern all-round players, developing loopers, and counter-hitters who value feel and consistency over speed. It suits those who like to loop with high arc, control rallies with spin, and place the ball precisely across all phases of play. Not ideal for players who need maximum rebound or composite-like kick.
Yasaka Sweden Extra offers a dependable blend of spin control, dwell time, and feedback, making it an excellent choice for all-rounders and developing offensive players. While it lacks the speed and sweet spot of more advanced carbon blades, it stands out in its class for craftsmanship and all-round playability. A timeless option for those who value spin and placement over speed.
If you’re looking for a well-balanced 5-ply wood blade with great control and spin potential, the Yasaka Sweden Extra is a reliable choice. Check availability and offers from trusted retailers below.
