The Sunflex SHO Soft Carbon OFF is a modern offensive blade, designed with a 5+2 ply structure (five wood veneers + two inner soft carbon layers). It offers fast-paced play with enhanced control and a large sweet spot, making it ideal for advanced youth and two-winged attackers, especially loopers who value tempo without sacrificing feel.
| Aspect | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | ★★★★☆ | High energy transfer, speedy for a soft carbon blade |
| Control | ★★★★☆ | Excellent for offensive play, stable and forgiving |
| Feel / Vibration | ★★★★☆ | Soft carbon dampens harsh crisp, giving a pleasant resonance and minimal harsh vibration |
| Sweet Spot | ★★★★☆ | Carbon fleece ensures a larger effective hitting area |
| Dwell Time | ★★★★☆ | Soft basswood & carbon blend offers good dwell, long enough for touch loops, speedy enough for counterattack |
| Build Quality | ★★★★☆ | Good finish, comfortable handle, solid construction for under €40 |
Construction & Design
Built with outer Fineline veneers, an inner Kiri core, and dual soft-carbon layers, this blade prioritizes a responsive yet stable hitting experience. Lightweight (~85–90 g), its cosmetics are understated and functional, with a clean, no‑frills German design.
Loop & Counter-Loop
Soft carbon adds catapult and dwell, ideal for spin-heavy loops. The balanced feel supports wide-range attacking while maintaining placement precision.
Blocking & Pushing
Offers a strong touch and an enlarged sweet spot. Blocks feel solid and controlled, with minimal vibration, making them excellent for close-to-table defense.
Smash & Drive
While offering solid power for smashes, it won’t match the explosive response of harder carbon blades, ample for most club-level smashers.
Serve & Receive
Good dwell gives feedback on spin and direction; recipients benefit from the blade’s control, though power plays may be more effective with firmer rubbers.
Comparison with Peers
Rubber Pairing
Shines with tacky or spin-oriented rubbers, e.g., Hurricane, Rakza, or Euro tacs like Dignics. Hard sponges enhance attack, though very soft rubbers may feel sluggish with its OFF+ rating.
Ideal Users
Best for advanced juniors, modern all-round attackers, or club-level loopers. Less ideal for defensive specialists or ultra-aggressive hard-smashers.
The Sunflex SHO Soft Carbon OFF is a standout underdog: a soft-carbon offensive blade that delivers balanced speed, control, and feel at an unbeatable price point. While it may lack the extreme power of premium carbon blades, its approachable nature makes it ideal for players progressing to high-level loops and combos. Recommended for modern offensive, two-winged players looking for value and performance.
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