Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is a limited-edition, top-class table tennis blade crafted by the Japanese manufacturer Nittaku to celebrate the 2025 Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. This blade combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern technologies, reflecting Nittaku’s mastery and precision. ITTF-approved, the Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is designed for offensive players seeking explosive power, speed (104/100, ~13.0/20), and high accuracy while maintaining sufficient control (92/100, ~11.5/20). The blade features a 3+2 layer construction, consisting of three wood layers and two outer AD carbon fiber layers, ensuring a solid feel, excellent rebound, and dynamic play. With a unique resin handle decorated with Japanese washi paper and an arrow-feather pattern, this blade is not only a high-quality sports tool but also a collectible item, packaged in a luxurious box with two 3-star Nittaku balls marked with an exclusive Snake design. The Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is a synthesis of power, elegance, and Japanese heritage, suitable for both elite players and enthusiasts!
Key Features:
Blade Type: Offensive++ (OFF++)
Layers: 5 layers (3 wood + 2 AD carbon fiber): Kiso Hinoki (outer), wood (inner), AD carbon fiber (2+4, outer)
Weight: ~85–92 g (average ~89.5 g)
Thickness: 7.0 mm
Speed: 104/100 (~13.0/20 on the general scale)
Control: 92/100 (~11.5/20 on the general scale)
Hardness: Hard
Accuracy: 9.6/10
Trajectory: 9.1/10 (high, suitable for topspin and attacking shots)
Technologies: 3+2 layer construction with Kiso Hinoki wood, AD carbon fiber (3000 filaments per layer), resin handle with Japanese washi paper, arrow-feather design
Origin: Japan
Certifications: ITTF and JTTAA approved
Playstyle Suitability: Aggressive attacking play, topspin shots, counterattacks, close-to-table and mid-distance play
The Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake stands out with its innovative construction, explosive power, and unique aesthetics, making it ideal for professional attackers and collectors:
Layer Composition:
The blade consists of three wood layers, with the outer layers made from premium Kiso Hinoki wood, sourced from the Kiso forests in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture. This wood, averaging 300 years in age, is known for its flexibility, durability, and beautiful grain—even used in traditional Japanese palace construction. The two outer AD carbon fiber layers, made from 3000 filaments per unit, enhance stiffness, strong rebound, and explosive power. Compared to the DHS Q968 Hurricane King National (~90 g, ~12.9/20 speed, 5+2 layers), the Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is lighter and faster, offering higher precision but slightly less control (92/100 vs. 93/100).
Explosive Power:
The AD carbon fiber ensures a strong catapult effect, ideal for fast topspin shots, attacking smashes, and counterattacks. Compared to the Nittaku Acoustic Carbon (~90 g, ~12.7/20 speed), the Eto 2025 Snake is faster and harder while maintaining a balanced feel due to the Kiso Hinoki’s flexibility. Against the Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC (~86 g, ~12.8/20 speed), the Eto 2025 offers greater speed and accuracy but demands stronger technique.
Responsive Feel:
The Kiso Hinoki wood combined with AD carbon fiber provides a unique hard yet flexible feel, ensuring excellent feedback. This allows players to precisely sense ball contact, especially during serves, returns, and precise backhand blocks. Compared to the Nittaku Violin (~85 g, ~11.8/20 speed), the Eto 2025 has a shorter dwell time but higher speed and power.
Weight & Balance:
With an average weight (~89.5 g) and 7.0 mm thickness, the blade offers an optimal balance between speed and accuracy, ideal for aggressive attackers. It is lighter than the DHS Q968 (~90 g), enhancing maneuverability. Compared to the Nittaku Acoustic Carbon (~90 g), the Eto 2025 is lighter and faster, with a unique resin handle feel.
Handle Design:
The resin handle, adorned with Japanese washi paper and an arrow-feather pattern, provides a luxurious grip and aesthetic appeal. Each handle is individually decorated, ensuring no two blades are identical. The handle dimensions (100×26 mm, 34 mm width) ensure a secure grip for various holding styles (FL). Water-based glue (e.g., Nittaku Fine Glue) is recommended for rubber application. The blade is durable, but edge tape (e.g., Nittaku Edge Tape) is advised to prevent damage.
Collector’s Value:
As a limited-edition Zodiac series blade, the Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is numbered and comes in a luxury box with two 3-star Nittaku balls featuring the Snake design, making it an ideal gift for table tennis enthusiasts and collectors.
Technical Performance & Play Characteristics:
Speed (104/100, ~13.0/20): Extremely fast, ideal for topspin drives, attacking smashes, and counterattacks near or mid-distance. Compared to the DHS Q968 (~12.9/20), the Eto 2025 offers slightly higher speed and a stronger catapult effect. Against the Nittaku Acoustic Carbon (~12.7/20), it is significantly faster, perfect for aggressive attackers.
Control (92/100, ~11.5/20): The Kiso Hinoki and AD carbon provide sufficient control for topspin and precise blocks but require strong technique due to the stiff feel. Compared to the DHS Q968 (~11.6/20), control is slightly lower, but speed is higher. Against the Nittaku Violin (~12.3/20), the Eto 2025 offers less control but greater speed and power.
Hardness (Stiff): The stiff flex, reinforced by AD carbon, ensures explosive acceleration and stability. Compared to the Nittaku Acoustic (medium stiffness), the Eto 2025 is harder, delivering more power and shorter dwell time.
Accuracy (9.6/10): High precision allows players to place the ball exactly where intended, especially in topspin and backhand blocks. The AD carbon reduces shot dispersion, ensuring consistency.
Trajectory (9.1/10): A high-arc trajectory suits topspin and attacking shots. Compared to the DHS Q968 (9.0/10), it is slightly higher, facilitating powerful mid-distance shots. Blocking remains stable, ideal for active blocks.
Playing Aspects:
Topspin (9.8/10): Extremely effective in forehand topspin against backspin due to AD carbon and Kiso Hinoki, ensuring explosive power and spin.
Blocking (9.2/10): Efficient in countering topspin at the table, especially backhand blocks, absorbing energy while maintaining stability.
Push Shots (9.0/10): Allows precise pushes against backspin or dead balls, especially with sticky rubbers like Nittaku Fastarc G-1.
Counter-Hitting (9.6/10): Excellent for fast counterattacks due to the catapult effect of AD carbon.
Smashing (9.5/10): Effective in flat hits, generating fast, precise, and powerful trajectories.
Serves & Receives (9.3/10): Enables precise serves and is effective in passive (9.3/10) and active (9.2/10) receives due to its solid feel.
Flick Shots (9.4/10): Banana flicks are easy to execute thanks to the AD carbon’s precision and power.
Rubber Compatibility:
The Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake pairs well with various rubbers, especially hard and sticky rubbers that complement its speed and spin:
Nittaku Fastarc G-1 (2.0mm, ~50–52° sponge): Maximizes spin and speed, ideal for forehand attackers.
DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (2.15mm, ~40–42° sponge): Provides excellent spin and control for forehand.
Donic BLUEGRIP J-2 (2.0mm, ~47–50° sponge): Balances speed and control for backhand.
Butterfly Tenergy 05 (2.1mm, ~36° sponge): Enhances speed and spin for topspin play.
XIOM Jekyll & Hyde V47.5 (2.1mm, ~47.5° sponge): Delivers explosive power for advanced players.
Recommended setup:
Forehand: Hard/sticky rubbers (e.g., Nittaku Fastarc G-1 2.0mm)
Backhand: Slightly softer rubbers (e.g., Donic BLUEGRIP J-2 2.0mm) for balance and control.
Additional Information:
The Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is part of the Zodiac series, celebrating the 2025 Year of the Snake, and reflects Nittaku’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation. The Kiso Hinoki wood ensures flexibility and stability, while the AD carbon (3000 filaments) provides modern speed and power. Compared to the Nittaku Acoustic Carbon, the Eto 2025 is faster and stiffer, ideal for aggressive attackers. Against the DHS Q968, it is lighter and faster, with a unique aesthetic design.
Users praise its "explosive power," "high accuracy," and "elegant design", though note that the stiff feel demands strong technique, especially in passive strokes. As a limited-edition product, the Eto 2025 is highly valued by collectors due to its numbered production and luxury packaging.
ITTF and JTTAA approved, this blade is suitable for high-level competitions and is perfect for advanced and professional attackers seeking power, spin, and aesthetics.
Who is the Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake for?
This blade is designed for players who seek elite performance and unique aesthetics:
Advanced/professional attackers looking for speed and catapult effect.
Aggressive offensive players emphasizing forehand topspin, backhand blocks, and counterattacks.
Close-to-table and mid-distance players who rely on topspin, blocks, and smashes.
Players seeking a powerful blade with spin and precision.
Collectors and enthusiasts due to its limited-edition status and luxury packaging.
Advantages of the Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake:
Speed (13.0/20): Extremely high, ideal for topspin and attacking shots.
Control (11.5/20): Sufficient for topspin and blocks, though technique-dependent.
Stiffness: Ensures explosive acceleration and stability.
Accuracy (9.6/10): Minimizes shot dispersion.
Kiso Hinoki wood: Provides flexibility and a unique feel.
AD carbon fiber: Adds power and spin.
Resin handle with washi paper: Ensures elegance and comfort.
Limited edition: Exclusive collector’s value.
High quality: ITTF & JTTAA approved, suitable for tournaments.
Comparison with Other Blades:
vs. DHS Q968 Hurricane King National: Faster and lighter, better for aggressive attackers.
vs. Nittaku Acoustic Carbon: Faster and stiffer, with a unique design.
vs. Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Higher speed and accuracy but requires stronger technique.
Final Verdict:
The Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake is a masterpiece of power, precision, and Japanese craftsmanship. Its 3+2 construction, Kiso Hinoki wood, and AD carbon fiber deliver exceptional performance, while the Japanese washi paper and Snake design add elegance. Ideal for advanced attackers and collectors, this blade is a fusion of tradition and cutting-edge technology.
Nittaku Eto 2025 Snake – where power, accuracy, and heritage meet!