Stiga Carbonado 145 Review: A Stiff, Fast TeXtreme Carbon Blade With Wood-Like Feel

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-07 · blade

The Stiga Carbonado 145 is one of the best-known blades in Stiga’s TeXtreme carbon family, sitting in the middle of a lineup that runs from the soft Carbonado 45 up to the very fast 290. It promises the speed and stability of carbon while keeping the natural touch of wood, and over the years it has built a loyal following among offensive players. This review brings together a hands-on equipment review, an instrumented lab test and real player feedback to explain exactly what the 145 does well and where it asks more of you.

Performance

Across every source the Carbonado 145 is described as a stiff, relatively fast blade that lands in the low OFF range and can be pushed toward OFF+ with effort. Stiga publishes speed and control values of 144 and 44, and Tabletennis11’s testing confirms it is a fast, stiff blade positioned between the gentle Carbonado 45 and the much faster 290. The construction is a 5+2 composite with medium-density TeXtreme carbon laid at a 45 degree angle, a layout Stiga says increases torsional bendability and lifts the throw angle. The most distinctive trait, verified in the TTGearLab lab test, is that the lengthwise vibration of the X45 Carbonado blades stays close to that of a plain 5-ply wood blade, which is why players keep describing a woody feel despite the carbon. On loops the 145 produces a slightly flatter, longer and faster ball that carries somewhat less spin than the softer 45, and reviewers note you need more physical effort to reach top pace than with a slow wooden blade. Where it truly stands out is blocking, which Tabletennis11 calls more aggressive and dangerous than the 45, along with mid-distance power drives, flat hits and aggressive service returns. The lab measured a primary elasticity around 1.95 and a central elasticity near 1.40, lower than rivals like the Butterfly Freitas ALC, so it is fast and stiff without being the springiest blade on the market. The net effect is a controllable carbon blade that feels direct and linear, with a large sweet spot that keeps off-center hits feeling consistent.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

Sources agree the 145 is a stiff, fast, communicative carbon blade with a wood-like feel and a large sweet spot, and that it is strongest at blocking and mid-distance attacking. The main point of debate is who it suits: equipment reviewers and the lab frame it as a balanced middle-ground blade for mid-level to advanced players, while several Reddit users caution that it is too fast and demanding for anyone still building consistency. Reviewers also differ slightly on spin, with the lab and Tabletennis11 noting the 145 trades some loop spin for speed compared with the softer Carbonado 45.

Who Should Buy It

Buy the Carbonado 145 if you are an intermediate to advanced two-wing attacker who wants a stiff, fast carbon blade that still gives wood-like feedback. It is ideal for players who block aggressively, drive at mid distance and value a large, consistent sweet spot, and it pairs well with both tacky Chinese rubbers and grippy tensors. It is less suitable for beginners or anyone trying to dial back to a forgiving training blade, since its speed and stiffness can outrun developing technique. Because the model is now discontinued, interested buyers may need to hunt for remaining stock.

FAQ

Is the Stiga Carbonado 145 a carbon blade?

Yes. It is a 5+2 composite, meaning five wood plies plus two layers of TeXtreme carbon. The carbon is laid at a 45 degree angle, which Stiga says adds torsional bendability and raises the throw angle while keeping a wood-like feel.

How fast is the Carbonado 145?

It is a stiff, fast blade in the low OFF range that can reach OFF+ with effort. Stiga lists speed and control values of 144 and 44, and it sits between the slower Carbonado 45 and the much faster 290 in the series.

Does it feel like a typical hard carbon blade?

Not entirely. Lab testing found its lengthwise vibration stays close to a 5-ply all-wood blade, so it gives a woody, communicative feedback rather than the harsh, deadened feel of many carbon blades.

Who should not buy the Carbonado 145?

Beginners and players still grooving their technique may find it too fast and stiff. Reddit users specifically warned that it can outrun developing consistency, and the softer Carbonado 45 or 90 is a more forgiving option.