Nittaku Violin vs Stiga Emerald VPS V: Which Should You Buy?
| Nittaku Violin | Stiga Emerald VPS V | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| feel | Soft, warm and flexible with long dwell, premium hand-crafted Japanese all-wood feedback | Stiff, hard outer surface with medium throw angle and large sweet spot |
| handle | FL | Flared (FL), also available in ST and Chinese pen |
| plies | 5-ply all wood (Kiri core with White Ash outer plies) | 5-ply all wood (Ebenholz/dark outer, VPS-treated middle veneers) |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.3 | 6.2 |
| type | ALL+ | — |
| weight_g | 86 | 98 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
Nittaku Violin (8.4) edges Stiga Emerald VPS V (8.3) in overall consistency, though both serve different attacking styles. Violin emphasizes exceptional control and pinpoint placement with premium hand-crafted feel. Warm, soft feel with long dwell time excels at looping and close-to-mid distance all-round play. Flexible 5-ply all-wood construction suits development, but slower than its OFF- rating suggests and weak at long-distance pace.
Emerald VPS V delivers OFF+ speed from pure all-wood construction with large sweet spot making off-center hits forgiving. VPS-treated middle veneers improve consistency and looping dwell time, green Ebenholz outer delivers stable flat-trajectory drives. Diamond Touch surface hardening adds durability without killing feel, natural wood feedback preferred over synthetic composites by many loopers.
The trade-off: Emerald VPS V is faster, stiff construction punishes weak swing technique, control scores lower than similarly priced all-rounders, heavier at 98g causing fatigue in long sessions. Violin prioritizes touch and development. Choose Violin for control development and beginner-intermediate play; choose Emerald VPS V if seeking maximum speed from all-wood frame on counter-looping at mid-and long distance.
FAQ
Is Emerald VPS V really faster?
Yes. OFF+ speed exceeds Violin’s ALL+ by measurable margin, though both are all-wood with different design priorities.
Which suits beginners?
Violin. Emerald VPS V’s stiffness punishes weak technique unsuitable for learning.
Is Emerald VPS V worth the premium?
If seeking maximum all-wood speed comparable to composite blades, yes. For control and development, choose Violin.
Why is Emerald VPS V so heavy?
Green Ebenholz and VPS treatment increase density and stiffness, contributing to 98g weight and fatigue on extended use.
Which has better feel?
Violin’s soft, warm feel is premium. Emerald VPS V is stiff and hard, lacking Violin’s touch but delivering more pace.