JOOLA Aruna OFF

Product information

Brand
JOOLA
Category
Blades
Reviews
7
Rating
4.29 star(s) 7 ratings
Price
$120

User stats

Speed
7.7
Control
8.9
Hardness
6.3
Durability
8.3
Pros
  • Good finish
  • Controllable
I'm extremely happy with this blade. The finish is extremely good (sanded wings etc) and it feels quite light at 82g. The packaging seem to have improved during the past years as it comes in a fairly high end packaging.

Very controllable compared to the Stiga Clipper which I used with the same rubber setup (FH: H3 Neo BH: 729 B2). Extremely well suited for a topspin oriented game.
Speed
7
Control
8.5
Hardness
6.7
Durability
9
Pros
  • great control
  • great spin
  • speed
I changed to this blade after seeing Dan's review with Aruna and thought it would suit my game. Its not the lightest of blades, but the combination of woods and carbon give control and feel, lots of spin and speed with a heavy arm speed when looping and smashing. All in all it was a good choice for my playing style. I've used european rubbers and chinese and both work well in their own way. I've stuck to chinese tacky rubbers as I use alot of arm and wrist speed to loop and attack.
Speed
7.9
Control
8.9
Hardness
6.1
Durability
9
Pros
  • High Quality
  • Smooth Finish
  • Good Value
​Unboxing
It has been a while since I have played with a Joola blade. When I was a cadet/boy player I was using Joola and Donic equipment which at that time were decent brands and I would love to hit with an old Jörg Rosskopf OFF blade. The Joola Aruna OFF blade comes in a standard Joola box which is quite boring, but when looking at the Aruna OFF the color is referenced to the flag of Nigeria which is green and white. There are two black lines in the middle to break the color scheme and to tell the blade means business. On the front side of the handle there is a black plastic lens and in bottom there is a metal lens. There is also a JTTAA stamp in the bottom. The Hinoki outer plies have good grains and the finish is top class with rounded edges at the wings. The handle is very smooth as blades from Butterfly. I would say this blade has better finish than some of the high end blades and the quality is very good!

29dwh1_GueXKRT4z7mvOfvE4kQMeL6wTmfC4OhND0QRndFv3dloajBi9ZGRqk_fHUjBPMSPHNPAIidE2HR6wCojyT8ofsy07J1neJOFUS86_rzHvVbaYtas3trklL1Fy7YeZFOMoDKOuDPEjCxuPYeBk6zZzkm52-joJnpkvIshfmD2Eu-Y4h-0CAz5BAb8TzCJ1k-5_U3XxALb5IV8ulUJlPWt-PUPhmH4EjgU3qX7sNoA8SfzaNUmZaHBllBHhCC30Lzb7QunFA5RwqRwSfykE_Hh2fk444v2qdpMNLTrilmSgZsd0s2e3CQyxHs2CXAntaDzjSGV9rNuKy73D8x8BpBtj_N1G0NmdLm-aUJ7tTy5Z8xEiwegx5w7FPxIQ53inKJHiAXngzR3s1yc4cQnlQhxnrc0nFubDdfnpU4YmaUEI_qDsOHcUExRlzkVaxFgApMoQWUalR0kl-w-yEHuIDltaxk7MzWM-hTlFgLPMj3UmPHhhYfskM--q8k9ba7e5Bz9pgwCJhWZwuk9gHrvHb0LHLIx5oKwwTKgwMFpcBW0QeZJXClFg6K-JdbyEVkDNjBZX7UIlmLnJEEqhgOvIcNp9ROM5ko2aF1RSDw=w578-h770-no


4hmlw_sI-aU_nCYazSTyeoCX65zsBMDNN5Yd2A8F0a92k5dkiXoK4m_d_8HwzqXcMuwZ6YGHN7J4BlYrqCI0klgu1Mr-w80VVBh1MPiIJIpOAEgSKEk--Vof2FVyk3-s5hoygTAtpZJw76ITay46k8-Ux3vAZxAQ38trcHFsItnq3La2e-Hjc3lWty3eDiXzBwIsEr0YtX-1iXkIm3YeLAafsSo0HilKR2xqendbbwbydKePTuqnzA1bE8cAEA9HM967fZTLD0pcYTWItv9J4dbzYixbqwL0i0RNHh5R-6tHZRNrXYooJLtJi2k-9qWnZFIOu9i0m7LD-SZ2fJAv9vvKKxNFIn3EZTs33FN4KJPLo1XoOhkMY6Yg7mU7WNNcyUiK6QXAMFZ5BU22P_pgjns11mgWTkb2w3vc2kfSd349Isf5zpjizJuO5dqYwYhAl8D9mF2GDnKNvh8KoEfvnIkyDmLOUBXoZhBexKKax69NeIoMBB7uIJvpUg5-8ID3hoDRDgbUhaC_WBLTYYVXlp1k7Vg5QLCkkiFqQCWxUgPhdOaFHc5aYsMQJZptRtpCSaXPrY7svCS9vznt45MgFU6b1YltVMrdfNHR8PUydA=w578-h770-no


MR6wlQj2iCiA9tob98jmuK35XFgQfCF51MOIwDMZqRfxW1hRJ1tA3v-aAR47J66Cf0j-HlRmKnHdew-8ZVzqjasBQtN0VFSYgWkP8_F3fVDPreEWAXHJZtb2S7edfM3OyFDAIuV4EDYIJvI5WPYfkNM8ohr_G4PdZlsZnAVqZpVZoCM90gIfLAimhH4HOk_A6KN_XuiYGE18ZhnZbVODtl_BhDx9tMqdR2FvNvXUOO_KV3qFQ0EImF5DZNuZjCueVKjembdENEplL6qelfzOIGM9isMRiRRoWFZVJ8BwFeWU-DR8eCmg64gVwXjU5CqcFPXSY9iUmDGHJM-YqZL0GFidh1sSmx8UKLnGOC5TQo5OhvTtUh8vQG30Gud4WyT_fkCML-qDP89ASiDuHL9fzWY3z5d6GXbUo25xKIFG-MsiHvGetGVw3ex9FzV0gAM6cWAXqpI1vUDwHcc3gbC-iSIsyNZdYoR0iJG2oyMkI0PCZ0_JRpLOv21gmyHWR1CpriAEWqn0MGZj7_DNZMMA4ihdJ-HiiktQIeFLtB-lCSngAEaYP4abnKx-E86znMxJuIahzLIHt8XzNpZKCFR13S2DI9GafXUvPauj48CJxQ=w578-h770-no


nRP_KZbcgqCXNtNQYcBI3mZ6HPF7KHWFkL5KjEZd__0vQWwehRuWmc5r4Nva_YgigYv2Xgj0M8NpytxNkVp09PZCjPivYIqpfpIB_1sOTNUbAFyb8FUmGdMx03hPn-4ep6yG69sDl7Sc4LecT4u0xlvbRNA5FI7PrYiDYqWMdohlQL6BwaP5m8u9zoW-vYH7PAwUlEElicQSoLJkF4dGkYRbsOBXexohfoWhUczoMkxfMSVEryRZj3K-TjHDufKigAZ0NqEpsYAUEF9KFLrsXMiR2wCsfa1IE4gfxtwA0sdP8eCUHZansRR3klnOtWn6-O92ZzliddiBplHovYbOan_JxDPkBr6ZJKbTXA_4bgqGs9sA-5VmyqdS7H21HO2lGuEdtXauZBL1AJktA1We0UnkkWF7RxmIUquQnCEFgHaCpUhkvY71swH1TWPJj_c2YkkEXyKD39-I_E9gM8R_vq-ftFaoe8Y8ha35m9MMkN47Dmo-vmp4W26S6Z0nYLaPKUB1J2AzVZUZExxzG_3TeXjPuxEdYmMsDcsqnKFgb7km6sL_tLKw6J1-AspHQfd3oCJp3JrMmv91SyfGE5HVKC0NAx6KmxabCQMbSPReEw=w578-h770-no


nCINdjVz9UJgkUm8g6UNe3iBJlr6DRw-8b8aANvi3MY3AYKFTX8hLffnPwnKWy7K55AqLWv9RqN6qAooouVLOMwl26_CIOx-szLDRgqKQvCZ1E36iEZIX7ieoOoWYhIKb_7hWTNEbjOSV8cyoDBRPVEIFotEMMR3ckUfDdAf_G0EDE7CEOtAWx0cGZa5kHkXN4XeuWwhZmQK8tdvDrJ4S_N21O5lEuK-6skTiTcDO0AIjUpUDS26Xa9eYkDHB3-bskU-v_UwroyKihCzAwuutLQSNhtCkVewWed2ljDuUm4ob_qSH13TOCb464tPumDBiHJRP9z-lnWvzTVY3dlu5A2w9u3NxUqCpGn9rw7v7IXiYgWThzZKWLH_JRNx_TVvVdfwortRtUP8ajQCffEkJipfZvLZnt5TJDkZ8Lr2gkMnedR4jbbQ-oHiyJRkxNogSseVKAScNL8cO41jRLRKtfaIBG-8e8UmHS0n6okxXxlBEztbTLNkHDT5gsu5AAK695_JuPNAEwylFDuA-2y2sA1miJQrBqwssJl5te84f5zFOEuFO6ubpFFIXD4phlC3vdPyK3Ayg5QWP14egxlFj409K9SOm39_GY8nOd0KYA=w578-h770-no


Composition: 7 ply (Hinoki, Koto, Carbon, Kiri Core, Carbon, Koko, Hinoki)
Handle: Flared
Head size: 157x150mm
Thickness: 5.8mm
Weight: 84g
Type: Carbon OFF rated by manufacture

Test setup: FH Joola Rhyzm 2.0mm and BH Stiga Genesis M 2.1mm. Total weight 184g.

Drive
When driving with the Aruna OFF I could immediately feel that this blade was very controllable on both sides. The setup has a very good center balance with these rubbers and the feeling is more towards an all wood blade than a carbon blade.The speed is decent and is comparable to some of the Innerforce series.

Even faster than the normal ZLC and Viscaria! But having that said the blade also had an amount of feel and dwell that you normally don't experience when blades are that fast. I think this might be due to the outer limba layer combined with the SZLC. The Super Zylon-Carbon layer adds lightness, stiffness and flexibility to the blade. Another thing that was noticeable was the large sweet spot.

Loop
When looping with the Aruna OFF I could really feel this setup was a spin machine. This is the second time I have made a review on a blade with Hinoki outer plies. Here I could really get the grip that I wanted with medium effort. Struggled a bit with the Stiga Genesis M due to the lower throw, which I was not used to, but having that said the spin was great with both rubbers. I felt that I could create more spin with the Joola Rhyzm rubber and the power from the carbon was quite obvious when looping.

Block
In the passive game the Aruna OFF also delivers control! I was very stable and consistent due to the large sweet spot which the carbon gives. Still if I was a bit active on the ball I felt that I couldn’t miss the table. Directing the ball was easily done without having the feeling you were losing control even with huge incoming loops.

Flick/short game
The aspect of this part of the game the Aruna OFF is shining. Due to the outer Hinoki and the overall softness of the blade it was not difficult to flick the ball or keep the ball low and short when playing over the table. You always feel the ball and do not have the impression that the ball is jumping away from you.

Conclusion
Joola has made a signature blade for Aruna Quadri which accommodate his needsi. The retail price is 79.90 Euro (in Europe) and 95.03 USD (in US) which is a decent price for a signature blade. For that price you get very good quality and I have heard the blades from Joola should be very durable.

I would recommend the blade to players who focus on an offensive game with spin and control in focus.The blade fits well away from the table as in close. Also the player that favors the stability and consistency in their blocking and attacking game. The blade is good value and if you like Hinoki as outer due to Hinokis attributes then you would not go wrong in town choosing this blade.

Speed
6.5
Control
8.5
Hardness
6
Durability
9
Pros
  • Control
  • Speed
  • Dwell
I have nothing bad to say about this blade, I love it. I have had it for about a month. I came from using an Andro Flaxonite Cruiser (All+), I found that it wasn't fast enough for me and died. I didn't want something that was too fast that I couldn't control the ball as well as lose the ability to block. As soon as I picked up this blade I could do everything I wanted. There was literally no learning curve at all. From the first hit I was landing on the table. Once I started to back away from the table I really found the blade had power when I needed it. I also found that it blocked even better than my slower blade!! I think it has a larger sweet spot than my previous blade which gives a more uniform hit. This might be the blade I use for life..... I think if I want more speed I will train my technique to get it.
Speed
8
Control
9.5
Hardness
6
Pros
  • Short game
  • Dwell time
  • Blocking
Cons
  • Power
  • Serves
This blade is great for a first time carbon user.It's not too fast or too slow.Spiny open ups are at ease with this blade due to the dwell time,short touches are also very easy.The blade is not too fast which helps with blocking and controlling the play,however,some may argue that it is too slow especially compared to other carbon blades such as the Timo Boll ALC.
Speed
8
Control
9.1
Hardness
5.1
Durability
8
Pros
  • control
  • spin
  • balanced nice
Cons
  • handle thick
Only used it briefly but first impression were (using tenergy 05 fh and 05fx bh) I found it to be easy to use in most shots but not standing out as spectacular in any. Knocking up with usual fh and bh drive and loops this blade felt and sounded lots like an all wood blade actually. Had more of a tock noise than the higher pitch crack from an ALC for example. I have been using power spin carbon for about a year now and compared to that it hasn't quite got the feeling or speed but control was great. As we know Tenergy is a fast aggressive rubber but it was still quite easy to place the ball where I wanted. Controlling a heavy spin shot from an opponents open up was no hassle either. It lacked that bit of speed off the table but was easy to place where you wanted during top to top points. It always felt safe. Touch shots and flicks were easy, the softer hinoki outer layer gave it good dwell so picking up the ball and spinning it back was easy. It just lacked; IMO, any feeling, kind of felt a little lifeless at times. With the drinkhall carbon I can kind of feel the ball grip which I like. I will try it with some mxp or fxp and update it to see how it suits those rubber.

Overall though I think it is a great choice for a player who is thinking of trying carbon for the first time. Or wanting the sweet spot of a carbon blade but that feeling of a soft wood blade. It is controllable and is plenty quick enough for a good league player. Might be a bit slow for the top top players who play an all out aggressive game though.
Speed
8
Control
8.5
Hardness
5.5
Durability
5.5
Pros
  • Lots of feeling
  • Control
  • Dwell
Cons
  • Sometimes Speed
Joola Aruna OFF Blade
Weight: 84g
Thickness: 5.8mm
Type: Carbon OFF
Composition: 7 ply (Hinoki, Koto, Carbon, Kiri Core, Carbon, Koko, Hinoki)
Rubbers used with blade: Joola Rhyzm

Hi everyone, during our recent visit to the 2016 World Cup in Saarbrucken we met up with world number 25 from Nigeria Quadri Aruna to review the Joola Aruna Off blade. Together with Aruna, Joola designed this personal blade for powerspin players in mind. Watch the full review in the video below:

Video Review:


Written Review:

This premium carbon blade feels very well balanced, has a comfortable handle and smooth edges. The blade design uses the colours of the Nigerian national flag, which adds a nice personal touch. The composition of the 7 ply Aruna OFF blade has hinoki as the outer layer. Hinoki is a prized Japanese wood which is both soft and bouncy at the same time. Hinoki is used as the outer layer to absorb incoming speed and spin and to give the blade soft feeling and touch. The second ply used is koto, which is a harder wood to add more zip to the blade. The Koto is followed by a carbon layer and finally the kiri core.
The Aruna blade series comes in 2 types. The Aruna off and Aruna Off+. Quadri chooses the slightly slower Off version as his blade of choice. The Aruna OFF+ is the faster version of the two and is composed of 5 plys.

The Aruna blade weighs 84 grams and has a thickness of 5.8 mm.

arunaoffbladecompositionreview.jpg


Speed

Aruna is renowned for his powerful forehand topspin and I noticed early on I was able to control the ball with ease. This hasn't always been the case when I've reviewed blades with other pro players, where it has taken more getting used to their speed, with more responsive, harder blades. The blade has a soft and solid feel on impact which gave me the control to keep the ball on the table.

When playing a topspin stroke I produced a medium throw with good safety and control in my shots. The blade has good dwell and soft feel when topspinning, the Aruna OFF is softer than a Carbonado or a Timo Boll ALC for example.

Control

When blocking for Aruna, I had superb control and feeling even with Quadri rocketing his verocious topspins at me. The Aruna OFF is not as fast as a Butterfly ALC or a Joola Wing Carbon for example however packs bundles of control. When playing a harder stroke the speed was more than enough to play out right winners due to the harder inner koto layer. (Aruna also demonstrates he can hit the ball at extreme speeds, using slow mo cam with this one.)

Spin
The blade has lots of dwell, the top hinoki veneer soaks the ball into the blade producing lots of rotation on the ball. Minimal effort was needed to topspin heavy backspin balls, a quality I really liked about this blade.

Serving

Quadri Aruna talks about serving in the video.

Backhand flick and spin

The spin capabilities this blade has work just as well in the short game as they do when serving. With the blade being more control based rather than purely speed based, it grabs the ball well over the table producing high levels of spin especially with the modern backhand flick.

Touch play

When touching short, the blades soft outer ply allows for good dwell in the serve and receive game.

Counter topspin

When Aruna made a forehand counter topspin it was pretty much game over for me. Aruna mentioned how he liked this blade for counter attacking shots due to its control and stability against spin.

Top to top

When away from the table I had to put a bit more effort into my shots to get good speed over the table. A bit more kick in spin and speed would have helped me a bit more when away, however the control and safety in the stroke was excellent.

Conclusion

Our overall impressions after playing with The Joola Aruna OFF is that it is a well designed, high quality 7 ply carbon blade. With its main attributes being good control and spin due to its soft Hinoki outer layer. The blade is fast however it is no rocket and possesses a very good balance between control and speed which helps especially with service/return and opening attacks. The blades high levels of feeling gives good stability in your strokes in point play and for close range punch type shots.

The soft hinoki top ply also helps when playing spin shots against backspin. As mentioned throughout the review, I felt very comfortable with this blade especially when blocking. As the increased dwell time and reduced responsiveness, gave me that control I needed to keep the ball on the table even when playing against the world class player Quadri is.

Due to Aruna’s superior technique and the ridiculous power he possesses the Aruna OFF is easily fast enough for him. However for mere mortals like me who are used to a harder blade the Aruna OFF+ may be a better choice if you still wanted something within the Joola Aruna range.

This blade is suited for players who want that bit more control and spin than a faster, harder carbon blades provide.This blade will also work for power players who can get that extra speed through technique. We feel that Joola and Quadri Aruna have definitely Combined well and created what seems to be an advancement to the popular Joola Rosskopf blade.
Speed
8.8
Control
9
Hardness
8.6
Durability
9
Top