Nittaku Septear vs Sanwei Nova Carbon: Which Should You Buy?
| Nittaku Septear | Sanwei Nova Carbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| feel | Soft with high dwell time | stiff, linear, direct |
| handle | Straight or Concave (flared) | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 7-ply all wood (Kiso Hinoki) | 5-ply: Hinoki + carbon + Kiri core |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.7 | 6.2 |
| weight_g | 85 | 90 (plus or minus 5g) |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Nittaku Septear prioritizes exceptional control and touch with high dwell time characteristic of Kiso Hinoki. Its soft, responsive feel suits developing and intermediate all-round players building technique across loops, blocks, pushes, flicks, and smashes. Premium Japanese craftsmanship ensures consistent quality, though soft hinoki surfaces dent over time.
Sanwei Nova Carbon pairs real Hinoki outer plies with carbon fiber at budget pricing, delivering a direct, linear feel that rewards decisive attacking strokes. Good blocking control and authoritative returns make it appealing for intermediate attackers, though its high stiffness reduces dwell time and punishes brushy spin technique. Weight variation between units is notable.
Septear excels for control and technique building. Nova Carbon suits intermediate attackers with decisive strokes who can tolerate stiffness and weight variation.
FAQ
Which is stiffer?
Nova Carbon is considerably stiffer with direct, linear feel. Septear is soft with high dwell.
Which is faster?
Nova Carbon is faster due to carbon content. Septear at ALL+ is still slow by modern standards.
Which suits looping better?
Septear’s dwell time excels for spin and looping. Nova Carbon’s stiffness makes looping less effective.
How much cheaper is Nova Carbon?
Significantly cheaper as a budget Hinoki-carbon option versus premium all-wood Septear.