Nittaku Barwell Fleet

My NBF is a great looking blade but a little on the heavy side at 95g, frequency at 1378Hz. So I slapped on a 2.0 T05FX on one side and a 1.9 Rozena on the other. Total weight 182g, 20g heavier than my Darker Speed 90(blade freq of 2131Hz) but still manageable. I do feel the effect after a half hour of play time. The ball contact sound is not as crispy and firecracker as the DS90 but still good. This blade handles the T05FX and Rozena better than the DS90 did, it hits/loops/blocks more powerful than the DS90 but somewhat slower due to it's heavier weight and lower blade frequency. Very nice short game, good control, great power FH loop/hit from mid-range. BH loop/hit is good and powerful at first but harder for me as time goes by because of it's weight. It does play more like an all wood than a composite blade. I do feel some flex, less than that of the DS90. My next test is to put on a couple of thinner rubbers and see what the weight is and how it react to thinner rubbers.

Review of blades is a subjective matter. I can compare barwell fleet to acoustic, both equipped with tibhar mx-s (backhand) and mx-p (forehand), 2mm. Barwell is noticeabley better in blocking, also better touch at the net - lower gear. Acoustic is too springy with the mx-p. It's harder to keep the ball short at the net with the acoustic and on smashes it's got a lot of catapult. Barwell fleet has a lower gear at the net and less max speed with the mx-p on smashes, but it is easier to generate mid range power. On backhand, mx-s with the acoustic has great spin, but power is very low and on flat hitting it's really dead. With barwell fleet there's less spin, but it's easier to generate power, easier to lift, easier to block. I was probably heading to serious elbow problems with the acoustic, barwell fleet makes the game easier, it's almost criminal how easy and controllable it is. I thought acoustic was great, but barwell fleet gives me a better range of shots, blocking is superb. I hear people complain about blocking with BF - forgive them father for they do not know what they say. My game went up a notch instantaneously after switching from acoustic to BF. Better control, better range of speed, easier to generate power, great stability, blocking. It's a masterpiece.

One of the best blade i have ever used.Premium craftsmanship and quality.Medium fast but superb spin and control.I pair it with andro rasant turbo both sides.Highly recommended.

I've been using the Barwell Fleet for over 12 months and I love it. I have the flared handle and it feels great in my hands. After attaching two sheets of Rakza 7 rubbers initially to it, I felt that I had more control and could spin the ball better than when I played with the Yasaka Extra Special blade. It's powerful, fast, yet controllable. I find that my short game has improved with this blade. Looping underspin has been easier and I can finish a point with a powerful loop kill with ease when the opportunity presents itself. The one thing I especially like about this BF blade is the feel when hitting, pushing, blocking or looping. The sensation is there when I strike the ball correctly; I see the ball land on the other side with the intended spin, speed and power.

So in summary the Barwell Fleet is a great blade for me because it imparts a unique feel, powerful for looping yet quite controllable.

Extremely powerful, it gives you a very solid and commanding feeling when powerlooping and finishing a point. Close to the table, especially when flicking, it is noticeably less controllable. But overall, great feel, and a very high-quality blade.

Very good blade with excellent control , soft touches and a grate top spin.Very good for lifting backspin balls and chopping top spins.Grate on blocks ,active blocks, short push and smashes.On Flicks work perfect, is good blade on any kind of shots with large sweet spot! its a blade that you deserve to have it!!